Tag: Florian Hériard Dubreuil

Cognac conversations with Florian Hériard Dubreuil, Brand Ambassador of Rémy Martin

The name ‘Dubreuil’ brings with it respect and responsibility in equal measure. It is after all the very same family that has held the reins of leading cognac maison, the House of Rémy Martin, since 1965. So it was a special occasion for the maison when Florian Hériard Dubreuil, a fourth-generation member of the distinguished family, and the International Brand Ambassador for the House of Rémy Martin flew to Hong Kong to facilitate a unique pairing experience with premium cognac Rémy Martin XO and gourmet chocolate, courtesy of leading chocolatier La Maison du Chocolat. We caught up with Mr. Dubreuil as he took us on a journey to reveal the legacy and opulence of Rémy Martin.

Rémy Martin

What is like to grow up in a family which has such a rich legacy?

It was both a blessing and a privilege to have grown up in such an illustrious family, which gave me the opportunity to be exposed to great experiences, great aromas, legendary cellar-masters, gourmet gastronomy… and living your life as an art. It’s also an honour to have been transmitted this special know-how to inspire other people to continue our legacy.

 What is the universal appeal of Rémy Martin XO?

Rémy Martin XO is an opulent mix of aromas with a lingering long finish. We use the eaux-de-vie from grapes grown only in the best Cognac regions – Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne, together known as Cognac Fine Champagne. And we then age it for a long time to give it a wide range of aromas – of flowers, fruits and spices, reminiscent of late-summer fruit, juicy plums, ripe figs and candied oranges, hints of cinnamon and hazelnut from ageing in oak barrels, along with a velvety texture, flamboyant mahogany colour, supreme density and exceptional mellowness.

Rémy Martin

Why do you think a cognac like Rémy Martin XO pairs so well with chocolate?

 From growing fruits to perfecting their subtle aromas, both cognac and chocolate are created in unexpectedly similar ways, developing complementary flavour profiles. Chocolate pairing especially enhances the roasted dry fruits and cocoa facet of Rémy Martin XO’s aromatic spectrum.

What are the best ways of appreciating cognac in Hong Kong’s tropical climate?

The ideal temperature to savour Rémy Martin XO is around 23˚C. But if you’re outside and it’s hot, don’t hesitate to add some ice to your drink. It actually mellows the intensity, and the fruity notes open up even more.

With climate change being a sad reality, how do you protect your vineyards from the harsh effects of global warming?

 It is our biggest challenge. We have experienced several really warm seasons for quite some time now. Whereas earlier we used to harvest in mid to late October, we harvest in early September now. There has been a lot of research over the last fifteen years to identify long-term solutions such as varietal innovation or resisting grape varieties.

To that effect, Rémy Martin has a large test plot of around one hectare for the planting of new varieties of grapes, which will meet the viticulture conditions of the future.

Thank you.

 

Made in Heaven: Rémy Martin XO & La Maison du Chocolat

Many of us would agree that cognac and chocolate are among the most luxurious, most decadent pleasures in life. The Maison of Rémy Martin, the legendary cognac maker, has now enhanced the guilty pleasures manifold by enticing a select band of guests in Hong Kong to experience the first-ever pairing of  Rémy Martin XO & La Maison du Chocolat.

Nothing less than a match made in a gourmand’s heaven, this unique marriage brings together the opulence of Rémy Martin XO, the ‘Holy Grail’ of extra-old cognacs, with designer chocolate by Parisian haute couture chocolate house La Maison du Chocolat.

The immersive experience transports guests to cloud nine, with its explosion of flavours and fragrance, allowing us to explore the nuances of each taste profile a little deeper – from the floral, fruity, spicy, even slightly smoky flavours of the Rémy Martin XO to the slightly bitter, yet delicately sweet notes of the gourmet chocolates from La Maison du Chocolat. The result is a sensory symphony that’s gleefully decadent and spiritually elevating at the same time.

The House of Rémy Martin’s International Brand Ambassador Florian Hériard Dubreuil, who was in Hong Kong especially to facilitate the pairing session, explains the unique idea, saying: “From growing fruits to perfecting their subtle aromas, both cognac and chocolate are created in unexpectedly similar ways, developing complementary flavour profiles. Chocolate pairing especially enhances the roasted dry fruits and cocoa facet of Rémy Martin XO’s aromatic spectrum.”

Check out moments from the exclusive event below.