If you're a student of history, ancient or modern, a drive through Normandy makes for a great holiday
If you're a student of history, ancient or modern, a drive through Normandy makes for a great holiday. It was from Normandy that William the Conqueror set out to take over the throne of England in 1066. If you are into 20th-century history, there are the D-Day Invasion Beaches to explore. Start in Rouen. Though…
Export sales drove the development of the industry, a feature as true today as it was three centuries ago
From the very beginning, the cognac industry was dominated by cognac houses that acted as intermediaries between the producers of eau de vie and their overseas markets. Many of the first cognac houses were founded by English and Irish entrepreneurs: Jean Martell was from Jersey, while Isaac Ransom, James Delamain and Richard Hennessy were all…
The deft hand of the master blender is critical to production
At first glance, cognac production seems straightforward. The local wine is distilled twice, aged in oak casks from a few years to decades and eventually bottled. In reality, it’s an exceedingly complex minuet where the subtle influences of terroir merge with the distiller’s art and ultimately flower under the deft hand of the master blender.…
The environment, including the chalky soil, is everything when it comes to producing the right grapes
Cognac begins as wine. Like any wine, it’s shaped in part by the environment in which it grows. Soil, aspect and climate, among other things, combine to create a unique environment, what the French call terroir. A wine, in turn, is a distinct expression of that terroir. In the Cognac region, terroir is, for the…
There is no better way to experience German culture at its most authentic than to attend a Weinfest
Wine enthusiasts love to travel – a pastime that the pandemic has rudely interrupted. As a result, many of us are hatching plans for future trips, or at least picturing ourselves in rugged Priorat or manicured Bordeaux as we refill our glasses with the eponymous wine. I find myself thinking a lot about Germany and…
You can't really say you've seen Lisbon without seeing the Belem District
If you aren't already convinced that Portugal is a travel bargain worth a visit, you will be. Let me tell you about the Belem District of Lisbon. There is a day or two worth of sightseeing here, and you can't really say you've seen Lisbon without seeing Belem. If much of Portugal is explained by…
Portugal is not always on major tourist routes, but there is plenty to see there, especially in Lisbon
Lisbon is an overlooked European capital. Tourists tend to flock to Paris, Rome, London, but that little country on the edge of Europe? Portugal is not always on major tourist routes, but there is plenty to see there. If you’re looking for a trip to Europe, but you’re hoping to stick to a tight travel…
For over a thousand years, the faithful have taken the pilgrimage to Santiago passing through northern Spain
For over a thousand years, the faithful have taken the pilgrimage to Santiago passing through northern Spain. It's called the Way of St. James or El Camino de Santiago de Compostela. It's actually not just one route, however. It is a large network of ancient pilgrimage routes stretching across Europe and coming together at the…
Brussels is one European capital that's easy to miss on your grand tour of Europe
Brussels is one European capital that's easy to miss on your grand tour of Europe. In fact, the whole little country of Belgium is easy to miss, but it's one that you really shouldn't. It has lots to offer. This grand old city is not only the capital of Belgium, it's the capital of the…
Brugge is the little town that time forgot, but tourists have found
Tourists love Bruges in Belgium. A great city, it seems to have been frozen in time and, in fact, it was. Back about 5 or 600 years ago, it was a busy river port town, but then the harbour silted up and traders moved on. This little walled city didn't change for centuries, and because…