Sponsored by LOUIS XIII Cognac
Written by Fête Chinoise x Rémy Cointreau · Photos Courtesy of LOUIS XIII

MASTERS OF TIME

LOUIS XIII was created by Paul-Émile Rémy Martin in 1874. Each generation of Cellar Master has selected the finest eaux-de-vie from the cellars to compose this unique blend, continuing the work of past Masters united in a mutual goal: to produce the distinctive, unparalleled LOUIS XIII signature.

The LOUIS XIII Cellar Master looks to the future while honouring the past, sampling the new eaux-de-vie produced by Grande Champagne winegrowers and distillers each year and setting aside only those with the very best ageing potential. Only decades later will these be considered by the next Cellar Master to compose the LOUIS XIII blend of tomorrow. With a time span this incredible, each Cellar Master knows that they will not see the fruit of their work. They are a vital link in a human chain, working to transmit the legacy that ensures LOUIS XIII lives on.

Each tasting of LOUIS XIII is a journey into personal experiences and memories. "LOUIS XIII evokes my mother's kitchen and sharing simple culinary delights, a big copper pot where juicy figs are made into jam. But another emotion comes from the floral notes of dried rose petals, which call to mind a sweetly scented rose bush, the one in front of my grandparents' house," says Baptiste Loiseau, current Cellar Master of LOUIS XIII. "When I taste LOUIS XIII, I'm always touched when others too recall memories, often with deep emotion. This is the magic of LOUIS XIII, a moment shared around an exceptional cognac that frees our memories."

ROOTS OF EXCELLENCE

The excellence of LOUIS XIII starts in its terroir: the French word for the unique alliance of soil, climate and human skill that can only ever be found in one special place. The terroir of Grande Champagne takes its name from the Late-Latin word Campania, referring to open lands of limestone subsoil, and covers 13,000 hectares in the heart of cognac winegrowing country. It is here in Grande Champagne that the grapes which create eaux-de-vie with the finest ageing potential are grown.

The chalky, porous soil, the curve of the Charente valley, the Massif Central mountains to the east, the Gulf Stream blowing from the Atlantic to the west, the skills of the local winegrowers and distillers, passed down for generations... All these vital elements give eaux-de-vie distilled from Grande Champagne grapes the greatest ageing potential of all. The unique LOUIS XIII blend is composed of eaux-de-vie sourced 100% from the terroir of Grande Champagne.

AN ICONIC DECANTER

The most incredible master crystal artisans handcraft the LOUIS XIII decanter from prestigious European Houses. Today the decanter design was inspired by a royal flask found on the battlefield of Jarnac, fought in 1569. Acquired by Paul-Émile Rémy Martin in 1850, its remarkable shape spurred him to model a brand new decanter in order to hold the best of his oldest eaux-de-vie from Grande Champagne. It takes eleven craftsmen to accomplish this highly skilled handiwork, using gestures passed down from generation-to-generation. Each decanter is unique, with dentelle spikes individually hand-pinched. Its neck is ringed in 20-carat gold and topped by a solid fleur-de-lys stopper, a pattern symbolic to French royalty.

GIFT-GIVING TRADITION

LOUIS XIII is available in a number of size formats (6L, 3L, 1.5L, 700ml and the 50ml 'mini') and extremely rare releases like Black Pearl AHD or Time Collection: City of Lights - 1900 (www.louisxiii-cognac.com), offering something for everyone on your list. Each crystal decanter is a work of art, meticulously crafted by renowned French Maison Baccarat, the historic fleur-de-lys stopper, paying homage to both the brand's home and the king LOUIS XIII who protected the region of Cognac. Each format also comes encased in a stunning coffret to present the decanter, making it THE focal point of any room and a bold statement of luxury, class and success.

For the start of a new year, this is an excellent gift for an intimate celebration at home — a perfect complement to the homemade feasts that come with the season.

Available at select retailers in Canada. To learn more, visit www.louisxiii-cognac.com.

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