F ired by a passion to bring Cognac and other French spirits back to their artisanal roots, Alexandre Gabriel has emerged as one of the world’s premier producers of boutique Cognac and other fine spirits. He is a leading light of the historical spirits movement. His creative journey began in 1989 with the acquisition of Ferrand Cognac, which I personally consider the finest and most innovative range of Cognacs in the entire region. Maison Ferrand has expanded its range well beyond Cognac to other boutique spirits, such as Citadelle Gin, Ferrand Curaçao, and Planteray Rum. I recently caught up with Alexandre to get the latest on his many projects. Q&A With Alexandre Gabriel By Ben Giliberti, CW Director of Wine Education
Q: You were born and raised in southern Burgundy? What brought you to Cognac? A: My connection to the land has always been strong, thanks to my upbringing on my grandfather’s wine and polyculture farm near Cluny. My grandfather taught me that true wealth comes from the land. When I studied business, I found myself traveling through different regions in France, offering my support to small wine producers. On one of these journeys, I discovered Maison Ferrand in the heart of the Grande Champagne district of Cognac. While it was a very small company, I was captivated by its history and potential. The Elie Ferrand part of the family was one of the oldest and most storied in Cognac, with roots and archives dating back to the early 1600s. It was then completely dormant, but it held good reserves of Cognac and had an exceptional savoir-faire that was not being utilized. Mr. Ferrand proposed a partnership, and I saw it as a unique opportunity to bring something extraordinary back to life. Also, I was lucky to have met Melle Ranson Ferrand, who became a Cognac godmother to me, sharing so much about Cognac heritage and culture. She was the 13th generation and dedicated her life to preserving this exceptional heritage. We owe so much to her. Q: Can you explain what distinguishes Pierre Ferrand Cognac from other Cognacs? A: The secret to a great Cognac starts with the best grapes and continues with slow distillation in small copper stills, followed by years of aging in old oak casks. We never rush the process. At Ferrand, we focus on capturing the essence of the terroir, combining tradition with meticulous attention to detail. Our Cognacs are made in the heart of the Grande Champagne region, which is known for its exceptional chalky soils, giving our spirits a unique character and elegance. There are no shortcuts to excellence, and that dedication to craftsmanship makes our Cognac stand out. Q: I’m a major fan of the little-known Borderies Cognac and was thrilled to tour your recently acquired vineyards in the Borderies district during my last visit. What drew you to Borderies? A: The Borderies region is indeed fascinating. It’s the smallest cru in Cognac, yet it produces some of the most distinctive eaux-de-vie. Like the Cognacs from 100% Grande Champagne such as Ferrand, it is characterful yet totally different. The Cognacs from Borderies have a unique floral character, often with notes of violet and a
touch of spice. I was drawn to Borderies because it represents an untapped potential for creating Cognacs with an unmistakable personality, which is why I wake up in the morning. Our goal is to nurture our vines and express the unique qualities of Borderies in our upcoming releases. Q: Your mission to revitalize the artisanal spirits of French heritage has taken you to the remote corners of the world. Can you tell us more about that? A: Absolutely. Beyond Cognac, our passion extends to other fine spirits with deep roots and traditions. In 1996, while artisanal gin was not a thing at all, we launched Citadelle Gin, which is distilled in the same copper pot stills used for our Cognac, using 19 botanicals from around the world. It shows the full refreshing character of gin without the aggressive burn some gins can display. We also produce Planteray Rum, where we’ve revived historical rum-making techniques, including a unique double-aging process — first in the tropics and then in Ferrand casks in France. Our acquisition of the West Indies Rum Distillery in Barbados and our partnership in National Rum of Jamaica allow us to explore new horizons while preserving the spirit’s rich heritage. Each of these projects reflects our commitment to tradition, innovation, and craftsmanship to make unforgettable spirits. Q: On your recent visit to Calvert Woodley, I enjoyed tasting your new Mister Fogg Navy Rum. What attracted you to that project? A: As you know, I’m a history buff, and Planteray Mister Fogg Navy Rum grew out of my fascination with the history of Navy Rum which was produced for British Navy sailors centuries ago. Mister Fogg Navy Rum is rich in flavor and steeped in Naval history. Q: Roughly 90% of the Cognac sold worldwide comes from just four large firms. How has Maison Ferrand survived in that challenging environment? A: It hasn’t always been easy, but our focus has always been on authenticity, quality, and artisanal production methods I have researched for more than 35 years. Our mission was, and still is, to bring Cognac back to its roots. The wine aspect of Cognac making means a lot to me. I have been lucky to have been joined by unique experts who shared all they knew about Cognac making from grape to barrel. I think what has kept us thriving is our commitment to patience and quality — the values my grandfather would appreciate. Every bottle of Ferrand Cognac tells the story of its origin and the care that went into making it.
CALVERT WOODLEY 2024 FALL SALE — 41
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator