Following on from last week, where I introduced you to traditional French Cognac production, this week I wanted to have a look at the other life of Cognac.. because yes, Cognac does indeed have a double life, a double identity, you might say.

In France, Cognac is often used in cooking to give taste to meats and
sauces; or, at the end of a fine meal, elegant diners may swirl it
around in their glass, and perhaps enjoy it with a cigar. But until
recently, it was not much consumed in France, other than for cooking,
as it was seen as somewhat old fashioned, belonging to a world of old
men, and traditional, austere values. As such, it was mostly drunk
neat, or perhaps with one ice cube.

In the United States, on the other hand, which is by far the largest
global consumer of Cognac, among youth culture, it has become one of
THE hippest drinks to consume, and has come to represent success,
wealth, the debauchery of money, excess, and extravagance. Whilst in
France, it may flame slightly in traditional French cuisine, however
in America, it ignites the world of the kings and queens of the party
scene, and dances in cocktails in the most extravagant bars and clubs.

But how did these seemingly opposite identities come about? How and
why did Cognac, created in sleepy, traditional, austere, rural French
villages, become the most coveted choice of America's young urban and
extravagant Hip Hop gangsters?

To answer this question, we will need to delve back into the history
of Cognac, France, and America, and their particular special
relationship, and most especially, the extremely loyal relationship
between the African American community and the house of Hennessy.

свернуть