A Legendary Cognac
Avoid counterfeits, require the real name
250 Years of History ASSOCIATION FOR THE INTANGIBLE PROTECTION OF REGIONS, PATRONYMS AND PRODUCTS AND OF VALUES RELATED TO THEM In line with the provisions of the UN and UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, on 30 June 2020, at the Travellers Club Champs-Élysées, which was built in the 19th century and made for an ideal venue, Gerald de TERRASSON, Count of MONTLEAU, presented the Count and Countess Bernard de SAINT-SEINE, General Secretary of the ADITP (Association for the Intangible Protection of Regions, Patronyms and Products and of Values related to Them), with this important work recounting the history of his branch of the family, celebrating its 250th anniversary . This is an important and well documented work about his family and especially his own branch of the family, which has helped to make the fruits of the ANDREAUX family estates well known from the Atlantic to the Urals. The ceremony, during which Count Gérald de TERRASSON de MONTLEAU, the custodian of the archives of his branch of the ANDREAUX family, presented this work of over 200 pages, took place in in the presence of the Count and Countess Bernard de SAINT-SEINE, the eminent members of the ADITP association’s Board of Directors, Mr. Alexis ZAITRA, the barrister in charge of defending the association’s interests, and Mr Dominique CALACE de FERLUC, President of the Institut Social de France, President of the FIHOTO (International Hotel and Tourism Industry Federation) and Ambassador for France and French-speaking countries at the OECD and an official UN observer for its humanitarian development programmes.
Count Gerald TERRASSON de Montleau retraces the great adventure of his ancestorsat 11 Quai de l'Orangerie in Jarnac. Today, the cognac trading house invites you to explore the bold history of its family.
THE ORIGIN OF OUR COGNAC HOUSE
(portrait of Alexandre in Versailles 1785) Alexandre de Terrasson, Marquis of Montleau (1773-1842) a pageboy to King Louis XVI an officer in the Princes Army and MP for Charente
After a marriage in 1695 , the lands of the Andreaux were taken over by the Terrasson de Montleau family, one of whose members, VALENTINE, born in 1870, made a strong impression through her personal investment in the work on the vineyards and her sense for business, to the point that the company’s Eaux-De-Vie, transformed into Cognac by the magic of the still and a double distillation, reinforced the noble name on this site, now the property of the family, with Alexandre de TERRASSON de MONTLEAU, MP for Charente and mayor of the same town in the 1820s. The heirs to the Cognac branch of the Comtes Terrasson de Montleau were still very much present at the close of the 20th century. The origins of Terrasson du Comte de Montleau Cognac can be traced back to the 18th century, when Cognac was still known as “Eaux-De-Vie”. The family wine estate was already very modern for the period, extending over some sixty hectares, with three distilleries and two large wine storage cellars. The first distillery was built in 1743. The brand became the best-seller of the major Cognac houses and was served at all the royal courts of Europe. The Terrasson de Montleau company began to develop its “Eaux-De-Vie De Cognac“ in the early 19th century. During Comte Gerald de Montleau’s father’s lifetime, the remains of the little train, rails and wagons which ran through the vines could still be seen. During the 19th century, journeys to faraway destinations were made by rail. The Cognac barrels were designed with double bottom, so that they could not easily be pierced to extract the precious nectar. At the end of the 19th century, robbers still had no hesitation in attacking freight trains. Terrasson de Montleau Cognac was sold in the most prestigious Parisian hotels, such as the famous Hôtel Continental. Incidentally, in 1883, the Director of this establishment, Mr E. Leguay, described it as “incredibly delicate with delicious flavours infusing it with ever-so rare balance”. In 1885, in Lyon, Henry Terrasson Comte de Montleau was awarded the «Grand Diplôme d’Honneur and Gold Medal», the world’s most prestigious award, for the excellence of his Cognac. Today, the Terrasson Comte Gerald de Montleau Cognac, just like the Cognac made by the present owner’s grandfather, is following the ancestral tradition, producing Cognacs with great finesse and exquisite aromas infused with exceptional charm.
Painted sheet metal from the 19th century of 1865
Bottles of DE TERRASSON Comte de Montleau cognac are still sought-after by connoisseurs and collectors around the world through the major Auction Houses.
Eaux-de-Vie de grandes réserves Vieille Fine Champagne de 1875
250 YEARS OF HISTORY
THE WORK ENTITLED 250 YEARS OF COGNAC HISTORY in the TERRASSON family branch, from which Comte Gérald de TERRASSON de MONTLEAU is today the descendent, was officially presented to the conservation department at the Cognac museums, in the presence of Ana Elisabeth CLERY, director of the Cognac Arts Museum, on the right in the photo, and of Catherine Wachs-Genest, on the left, conservation manager and head of two municipal museums (the Art and History Museum and the Cognac Arts Museum), which depend on the Cultural Development Department of the town of Cognac. It was firstly on his work as a genealogist that the author based his presentation, which can be partly seen in the richly documented work (250 pages) entitled “Terrasson Gerald de Montleau Cognac, 250 Years of History”. It tells the story how, from “Louis XVI’s little page boy”, the Adrien Terrasson branch of the family tree began to stand out through the days, weeks, months, years and centuries, preserving its skills, with the final result expressed in the colour, taste, flavours, aroma and fragrances of past centuries and which have been established over time at a period without moderation, making it available to lovers of good things today, but also satisfying the wishes everyone can now have for this legendary Cognac. A Cognac, we should note, that is continuing the heritage of Terrasson Comte de Montleau Eau-de-Vie today, a living history, based on the excellence of ancestral skills. The vineyards, with records dating back to the 18th century, were already renowned in the early 19th century. The limestone soil with clay elements gives the Comtes Terrasson de Montleau Cognac its specific character. A LEGENDARY COGNAC was born. In this fully documented work, he recounts the great adventure of the creation and export of the precious liquid which found favour in royal and imperial courts. The association, recognised by the UN, has given readers the chance to download and read the work free of charge: www.terrassondemontleau.fr/COGNAC250ANS.pdf It was essential for the work to be deposited at the Cognac museums and at the French National Library because of its content, especially since the Cognac museums are in the Greater Cognac urban area, presided by Jérôme SOURISSEAU. All the news about this great region to visit can be found on www. grand-cognac.fr.
A Legendary Cognac
An Exceptional Woman
Valentine 1875
Monday 8 March The UN’s International Women’s Day
I n the UN calendar, International Women’s Day, also known as International Women’s Rights Day in some countries, such as France, is celebrated on 8 March. The international day highlights the fight for women’s rights and especially for reducing inequality with men. On this special day, the time is right to look towards Charente and the role played by women there in the past. From Henri de Terrasson, Comte de Montleau, the vineyards of the ANDREAUX family passed to younger sons of the family, and not the eldest.
In this context, a woman was to play an important role in developing the wine estate. VALENTINE, Henri’s daughter, was born in 1870, a year when Louise Michel was at the barricades. Valentine took a keen interest in the Cognac wine estate. During her father’s lifetime, she embodied, in her role in the business, the principle of equality between men and women at work.
In 1885, in the ANDREAUX estate, Henri felt great affection for his only daughter, Valentine, aged 15. Valentine did not have to wait until the date of 8 March to show that women’s independence or leadership should be encouraged. This year, the theme of International Women’s Day is “Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 World»...
When Valentine’s father died in 1918, her uncle, Albéric (1836 - 1927), who had not been able to have any children of his own, gave all his affection to his niece VALENTINE and her younger brother René. VALENTINE was single and childless. She had a lively mind, was dynamic, well educated and bilingual. VALENTINE and RENÉ began to physically take part in the Cognac business, continuing the brand’s traditions until VALENTINE died in 1934.
A film has just been made by the International Organisation for Economic Development (IOED), which has been attributed with 134 missions by the United Nations (UN), including the task of paying homage to women and to the roles they have played in the political, economic and social world.
To see the film click on the QR code
Hence the need to celebrate the day in a fitting way. So we can see in the film, dedicated to International Women’s Day, the role played by Valentine TERRASSON de MONTLEAU, a pioneer in her field, on the Andreaux estate, near the town of Saint ESTÈPHE (Charente). Through her daily work in the vineyards and producing eau de vie, as well as marketing Cognac as far afield as Russia, she was, without necessarily realising it, practising a form of emancipation that was later taken up by the feminist movement in favour of the autonomy and independence of women at work. She experienced a form of emancipation that could not yet be openly expressed. In order of appearance the following women are shown in the film: Marie Curie, Anna Minerva Henderson, Valentine de Terrasson de Montleau, Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks, Gloria Steinem, Simone Veil, Simone de Beauvoir, Hillary Clinton, Malala Yousafzai, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Nicole Kidman, Nadia Murad, Kamala Lopez and Ai-Jen Poo.
“Le Flacon Valentine“ celebrates 250 years of our House’s history with a limited edition of 250 numbered bottles in Bohemian cut crystal and gilded with fine 24-carat gold.
Héritage XO
“Heritage Cognac” is aged in oak barrels for 25 years. This is a Cognac in its prime, powerful, mature and wonderfully delicate. A dazzling copper colour. A nose with notes of almond and candied fruit.In the mouth, an explosive walnut flavour, a light woody taste, followed by honey and ripe fruit notes.
Impérial HORS D’ÂGE
“Imperial Cognac” is a Cognac of a rare sophistication, an ideal balance between flavours and aromas. Our “Legendary Cognac” is aged for 45 years and takes you on a journey through history and the generations of this prestigious company. An amber colour with gold tones. Aromas of ripe fruit and dried rose. A sweet and generous Cognac in the mouth, with floral and fruit flavours, alongside cedarwood and old leather, providing a long finish worthy of the finest vintages.
XXO - Fins Bois
This XXO comes exclusively from the Fins Bois cru. A coppery colour with mahogany highlights.A nose revealing aromas of lychee, vine flower and dried fruit, in harmony with the vanilla and roasted notes of the oak. Silky on the palate, giving way to a lovely liveliness that reveals the aromatic complexity of cognac.
XXO - Fins Bois
A quality heritage, a preserved tradition.
Taste our Cognacs With these two 200 ml miniature bottles “mignonettes“, you can discover our samples of XO and Impérial cognacs and immerse yourself in the ancestral world of the Maison Terrasson Comte de Montleau. Prior to bottling, our Cognacs are aged in oak barrels for around ten years. The two ranges of Eaux-De-Vie Cognacs, our choice nectar, are perpetuating our brand, delighting the eye with their colour, and captivating the nose and taste buds with their aromas and flavours. Packaging depends on the quantities ordered, either in individual packaging for one bottle or in a box for six bottles.
Miniature Bottles
Héritage XO - 20 à 25 years old 1 miniature bottle 20 cl Impérial HORS D’ÂGE - 40 à 45 years old 1 miniature bottle 20 cl
XXO Fins Bois - 30 years old 1 miniature bottle 20 cl
In Lyon in 1885, Henry Terrasson Comte de Montleau was awarded the “Grand Diplôme d’honneur” and the “Médaille d’Or” , the highest distinction, for the excellence of his cognacs.
Diploma from the International Hotel and Tourism Federation awarded in 2021
TERRASSON Comte de MONTLEAU Cognac was selected by FIHOTO (the International Hotel and Tourism Federation) to take part in the international competition organised by WHA (the World Hotel Association) and a wide range of hotels, restaurants and tourism organisations, which took place in HAIKOU in CHINA, and to participate in the «CONTINENTAL DIAMOND» awards ceremony, in the presence of the most important cultural authorites in the hospitality sector.
An award in 2021 The Cognac de TERRASSON Comte de MONTLEAU has been selected by the Fédération Internationale de l’Hôtellerie et du Tourisme to take part in the interna- tional competition organised under the aegis of the WHA - World Hotel Associa- tion and numerous hotel organisations, Comte MONTLEAU was selected by the International Federation of Hotels and Tourism to take part in the international competition organised under the aegis of the WHA - World Hotel Association and a number of hotel, gastronomic and tourism organisations, which took place in HAIKOU, CHINA, to compete for the ‘CONTINENTAL DIAMOND’, in other words the ‘Diamonds of the Continent’, at an awards ceremony attended by the highest cultural authorities in the hotel and tourism industries.
The CONTINENTAL DIAMOND international jury has just given recognition to a «top-of-the-range» French Cognac which has just celebrated its 250th anniversary and which was at one time marketed internationally by a woman, VALENTINE, who was one of the women celebrated by the UN on 8 March, in a film dedicated to INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY, for her work, which led to this Cognac being served at the tables of the Tsars of Russia. Today, you can enjoy this exceptional Cognac praised by the French Jury at the FIHOTO,
which is a legacy of the intangible past of the arts of the di- ning table, and confirmed worldwide by the CONTINEN- TAL DIAMOND, awarded in CHINA on 30 July 2021 to the representative of an exceptional product of the nobility of the French region bearing the name «TERRASSON Comte de MONTLEAU», for its COGNAC and which richly deserved a CONTINENTAL DIAMOND.
An award in 2021
www.terrassondemontleau.com
Contact
contact@terrassondemontleau.com +33 (0)557 848 091 +33 (0) 682 562 304
Valentine - 1875
Portrait of René de Terrasson Comte de Montleau, photograph 1905
Le Comte Gerald de Terrasson de Montleau
Maison de Négoce 11 Quai de l’Orangerie 16200 Jarnac - France
Compagnie TERRASSON Gérald de MONTLEAU121 : Avenue des Champs-Elysées 75008 Paris - France
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