About Château de Montifaud Fine Petite Champagne Selection Cognac
Château de Montifaud Fine Petite Champagne Selection Cognac is made by harvesting grapes exclusively from the Petite Champagne cru in France. After the grapes arrive at the Vallet production center, they are immediately crushed in order to avoid any oxidation. Then the grapes are fermented at temperatures that never exceed 24° — 25°. This cool fermentation process preserves the flavor of the Vallet
terroir and gives the cognac a slightly floral note.
Following fermentation, the grapes are distilled
with their sediment in order to concentrate the flavor of the cognac and add a rich, rounded suppleness. This distillation process, which is personally overseen by a Vallet, is more time-consuming than traditional cognac distillation, but results in richer, more opulent flavors of butterscotch and toffee.
After distillation, the cognac is matured in 350-liter French Limousin Oak barrels for four to six years. French Limousin — one of the most expensive types of barreling-wood in the world — is highly prized because it is loosely grained and porous, allowing it to impart more flavor and tannins to the cognac that comes in contact with it. After aging, Michel and Laurent hand-select barrels of cognac to blend together, which are then bottled on the Vallet estate.
"This is a beautiful place to live," says Catherine Vallet, wife of Michael Vallet and head of marketing at Château Montifaud. "We have the heart of the cognac, the angel's share, and
paradis."
Pick up a sixth generation cognac today!
About Château de Montifaud
For six generations, Château Montifaud has belonged to the Vallet family. In 1837, the vineyard was founded by Augustin Vallet who, upon his death, passed it along his son, Pierre. In turn, Pierre passed the estate on to his son, Maurice. Today, Louis, Michel and Laurent Vallet — all direct descendants of Augustin — manage the 90-hectare Vallet estate that stretches over the Grand Champagne and Petite Champagne regions of France.
Even though the Vallet family owns land in the Grande and Petite Champagne regions, they refrain from blending the two regions in their cognacs. Instead, they represent each region individually, offering a pure and unadulterated flavor. The Vallet family also exceeds industry standards, aging their cognacs at twice the minimum required age statement for each category of cognac. Their VS is aged 4-5 years, their VSOP is aged 8-10 years, and their XO is aged 30 years.
About Cognac
Cognac is a type of brandy produced in the Cognac region of France.
Because the French take it very seriously, there are numerous rules cognac makers have to follow not to fall “short” into the brandy category.
The white wine from the specific grapes (Ugni blanc) has to be doubly distilled in a copper pot still before being aged for at least two years in oak casks from which the wood can only come from two specific forests in France (Limousin or Tronçais).
Depending on the age, there are three types of cognac, the youngest V.S. (Very Special), V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale), and the X.O. (Extra Old)
You’re welcome to check our fantastic cognac selection, find your favorite from the top 10 cognac/brandy list, or explore the Best cognacs under $100.