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ROLAND AND VÉRONIQUE<br />
LEGARET AT DISTILLERIE<br />
DES MOISANS<br />
to produce Cognac that is entirely harvested, distilled and matured at the estate.<br />
“In terms of volume, the VSOP are the most popular”, explains managing director<br />
Patrice Piveteau. “In terms of value, our XO, including Château Fontpinot XO whose<br />
hundredth anniversary is being celebrated this year, are our true ambassadors”.<br />
Frapin is unanimously recognised and primarily marketed in Europe with no<br />
noteworthy drop in sales. “The American market is relatively small for our company”,<br />
points out communications manager Thomas Soret. “It’s more of a cocktail and VS<br />
market whereas we have mostly XO in our range. China is a major destination for us.<br />
It has experienced a slowdown since 2022 and its recovery has been slower than we<br />
anticipated. Despite this, we are successfully maintaining sales through our high-end<br />
niche market positioning in countries such as South Korea. In Africa, countries like<br />
Nigeria, Cameroun and South Africa are potentially interesting”.<br />
DISTILLERIE DES MOISANS: A CORE ASSET<br />
At the end of a windy street stands a hamlet. The Moisans distillery boasts twelve<br />
boilers and ageing cellars along with a manor house for welcoming visitors. The<br />
60-hectare vineyard is classified as Fins Bois and Petite Champagne. After buying<br />
his first vines, founder Roland Bru created the distillery in the 1960s – it is now one<br />
of the leading Cognac companies. His daughter Véronique Legaret and grandson<br />
Roland, along with managing director Olivier Petit, now perpetuate this impressive<br />
family story. Ugni Blanc is the predominant grape variety. This late-ripening<br />
72 WINTER 2023 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE <strong>FR</strong>ENCH EXPERTS ON WINE
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