Cognac A. de Fussigny: history + the most complete overview of types
A. de Fussigny - cognac comes from the French region of Grand Champagne. The brand does not belong to the elite category, but it is distinguished by its noble character, bright taste and decent quality.
Distillery A. de Fussigny has been delighting consumers with good quality cognacs for over 200 years.
History of cognac A. de Fussigny
The small company was founded in 1814 on the banks of the Charente River, in the heart of cognac production. The owners of the plant set themselves the goal of combining traditional French practices with the best modern innovations in their products.
There are many white spots and mysterious legends in the history of the brand. According to one version, the name of the famous cognacs from Grand Champagne was given by a simple Italian merchant who came to France to establish trade relations. Having tasted the local drinks, Alfonso Fussini, who later changed his name to Fussigny (in the French manner), first started exporting and then producing distillates.
It is said that he found truly outstanding samples for his collection in different parts of the region. The tireless merchant devoted all his efforts to improving cognacs and developing his own brand, which could not go unnoticed. Inexpensive but high-quality drinks A. de Fussigny began to be in demand.
A significant contribution to the development of the House of Fusigny was made by the hereditary cognac master Alain Royer, who in 1989 sold his share in Louis Royer and devoted himself to a new project. It is thanks to a professional blender that A. de Fussigny was appreciated in many countries of the world. Around the same time, the company, which did not have its own vineyards, signed an agreement with more than a thousand growers for uninterrupted supplies of raw materials.
Since 2008, the cognac house "A. de Fussigny is owned by the Russian trading house Aroma, and the famous drink is still produced in Grand Champagne.
The specifics of the production of cognac A. de Fussigny
The main pride of the brand A. de Fussigny - raw materials of high quality. Grapes of the Uni Blanc and Folle Blanche varieties (the most popular in cognac production) are harvested in the prestigious Petite and Grande Champagne regions. The peculiarity of these territories is the high content of chalk rocks, which, in combination with a warm, humid climate and high soil minerality, provides the best conditions for the ripening of aromatic fruits. The grapes harvested in Grand Champagne have optimal sugar content, balanced tannins, and a bright flavor, which give the cognacs fullness, sophistication, and complexity of the bouquet.
When creating drinks, A. de Fussigny focuses not on volume, but on product quality. For the production of distillates, they use "Charente alambics" - handmade copper stills. Six of them were made in the middle of the XIX century, and today they produce the most intense spirits with a long aftertaste.
The distillation is performed twice, separating the heart of the distillate at the second stage, which after aging (at least for 2 years) will turn into a fragrant drink.
For the maturation of cognacs, oak barrels are used: first - young, then - old. In this way, the amount of tannins is gradually reduced, fully revealing the taste of the product.
The distillery's cellars are located on the banks of the Charente River, which guarantees an optimal level of humidity.
The distillates for the vintage series are carefully selected by vintage year, achieving the maximum concentration of aromatic substances to convey the unique style of A. de Fussigny, which is expressed in harmony, softness and elegance. Such samples are bottled in special bottles signed by the master of assemblage and packed in gift wrapping.
Types of cognacs A. de Fussigny cognacs
The brand's collection includes 4 lines of drinks:
Creation Range
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EXTRA.
Made from spirits aged for 35 years in the Grand Champagne region. Color: amber gold with tones of copper and mahogany. Powerful bouquet filled with aromas of baked goods, spices, candied fruits, licorice, mushrooms, resin, coconut and herbs. The flavor is dominated by honey, plum and pear, marmalade and woody notes with a finish of toffee, vanilla and cocoa beans. It goes well with various types of cigars.
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XO Fine Champagne
Made from distillates of 25 years of age. Includes at least 50% of alcohols from Grand Champagne grapes, the rest from Petit Champagne. Color: golden amber with splashes of copper and mahogany. Aroma: delicate, fruity and floral with hints of oak, candied citrus, black cherry, candied fruit, liquorice, caramel, tart tea and tobacco. The balanced flavor is dominated by notes of marmalade, oak, toasted almonds, black pepper and spices, followed by a trail of spicy vanilla, iris and leather. Can be tasted neat or with water. Perfectly complements desserts, chocolate, creme brulee, strong cigars. Also available in the original "cigar" packaging called XO Cigar Tubes.
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Supérieur Fine Champagne
Made from Grand Champagne and Petit Champagne spirits (the share of the former is at least 50%). The average aging of components is 15 years. Color: golden amber with hints of mahogany. Main notes in the bouquet: vanilla pastries, flowers, linden tea, candied orange, apples, plums, oak, toasted bread. The velvety flavor is dominated by tones of toasted almonds and candied fruit, followed by hints of hot biscuits and tart oak. It is recommended to enjoy the drink neat or with ice. Good pairing: cigar, chocolate or caramel desserts.
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Sélection
A blend of spirits from different regions (Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderie, Fins Bois and Bois Ordinaires), aged from 2 years. Color: transparent gold with thin streaks of amber. Nose: floral with hints of orange, strong tea, spices, soft vanilla. Taste: elegant, well balanced with tones of white pepper, nutmeg and citrus. Can be tasted neat, on the rocks, in cocktails with tonic or soda.
Collection Range
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Grande Champagne VSOP
A blend of spirits from the heart of the Cognac region, aged for at least 4 years. Color: dark amber with hints of mahogany. Aroma: elegant, complex with notes of orange peel, prunes, hot biscuits, liquorice, vanilla, heated oak and coconut. Taste: balanced, rounded with tones of candied fruits, spices, almonds, ending with a long velvety grape finish.
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Petite Champagne VSOP
Blend of spirits aged for at least 4 years from the Petit Champagne region. Color: golden with light amber reflections. Aroma: powerful, harmonious, floral and fruity with notes of grapes, candied apple, pear, vanilla, warm oak wood. Taste: balanced, smooth with tones of flowers, raisins and fruits.
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Borderies VSOP
A blend of spirits from the region of the same name, aged in oak for at least 4 years. Color: golden with amber hues. Aroma: delicate, harmonious, with notes of violet, iris, grapes, vanilla, wood. Nose: balanced, long-lasting, with floral, vanilla, raisin and licorice hints.
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Fins bois VSOP
A blend of distillates from the smallest zone of the Cognac region with a minimum aging of 4 years. Color: golden with copper and amber tones. Aroma: elegant, complex with accents of prunes, hot biscuits, licorice, vanilla, oak. Taste: harmonious, rounded with notes of candied plums, spices, chocolate, nuts and mushrooms.
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Pure Organic VSOP
A special blend made from aged distillates that meet the requirements of organic certification. Color: golden amber. Aroma: grape and floral, with notes of candied orange, apple, vanilla and oak. Finish: light, balanced, smooth with delicate notes of cocoa, candied orange, liquorice and spicy aftertaste.
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Coffret VSOP Collection
A set of 5 miniature vessels with aged cognac from 4 main regions (Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois), complemented by an organic drink.
Millésimes Range
The line includes millesimal spirits of the best vintage years, perfectly matured in oak barrels and specially selected by the cellar master.
L’HéRITAGE
A limited edition released in a crystal decanter in honor of the distillery's 200th anniversary. The exclusive blend is a unique union between intensity and elegance. A true masterpiece of the House of A. de Fussigny is created from Grand Champagne spirits, the youngest of which is at least 30 years old, and the oldest is more than 100 years old.
Update: 04.04.2020
Category: Brandy and Cognac