Research Catalog

Title

Cognac : the seductive saga of the world's most coveted spirit / Kyle Jarrard.

Author

Jarrard, Kyle, 1955-

Publication

Hoboken, N.J. : John Wiley, [2005], ©2005.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

x, 244 pages : illustrations; 25 cm

Summary

"It is a universal symbol of high refinement and quality. Often expensive, always classy, Cognac is the gift of gifts - the best of the best - to mark a grand success. This book is the first comprehensive history of this celebrated spirit, charting its origins in the Charente wine region of southwestern France and turbulent growing pains to its present-day status as a multimillion-dollar worldwide business." "Beginning in ancient limestone bedrock, this history of Cognac sweeps through Roman times and the Dark and Middle Ages to the birth of an eau-de-vie toward the end of the sixteenth century. Kyle Jarrard then traces the drink's four-hundred-year struggle to dominate markets the world over - a challenge made all the more difficult by war-halted commerce, contraband, usurpation of the Cognac name, and business feuds fought across the Atlantic. He reveals how Cognac distillers weathered vineyard die-offs, the struggle through the world wars, and the unprecedented postwar boom. There's also the story of Gustav Klaebisch, a German lieutenant assigned to oversee Cognac's efforts during World War II, who protected the stocks from his own thirsty armies by creating a quota system - effectively preserving the brandy's future." "In addition, Jarrard takes a behind-the-scenes look at Hennessy, Remy Martin, Courvoisier, Martell, Delamain, and other finely tuned companies whose decisions today will make the Cognacs of tomorrow."--BOOK JACKET.

Subject

• Brandy

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. 227-232) and index.

ISBN

0471459445 (alk. paper)

LCCN

• 2004011819
• R1-488968

OCLC

• ocm55228742
• SCSB-5172406

Owning Institutions

Columbia University Libraries