A Knight for a Hour on A Day in Paradise.

A Knight for a Hour on A Day in Paradise.

“Sir Billy Leon”, the receptionist repeated as he walked down the lobby at Hennessy’s Distillery Offices in Cognac. I haven't often been called Mister. So, Sir was certainly a step up.

The young man, in his three piece suit, was new to the job I reckon. I had put my name down around noon for the 2.30 tour. After lunch I had returned and indicated to him that he had my name in the book and thought he had ticked it off.

So I was quite surprised by the call as the impressed tourists looked around to see who the sir might be. I might have enjoyed the moment more but I reckon the shorts and tee didn't quite fit the "Sir" image.

In any case, it was all sorted easily enough and soon we crossed the Charente River in  a company boat to start the tour. Quite an interesting one as it turned out with a very polished guide indeed. Highlight was perhaps the visit to Paradise, the place where they keep the older cognacs. The photo shows some from the late 19th and early 20th century.

Was reminded by the incident when Colm McCan got in touch to say that Hennessey’s Marc Boissonnet will be in Ballymaloe on the 10th as part of the WineGeese Series. Should be a brilliant evening. Details below..

Sir's shot at Paradise!

Hennessy Cognac event, at Ballymaloe, Thursday 10th October 2013, 7pm, €18

We are looking forward to welcoming Marc Boissonnet from Hennessy Cognac, to lead us on a tutored tasting of a range of the finest Hennessy Cognac, which will also be paired with some matching food tastings. Hennessy Cognac also has strong connections with County Cork, as the Hennessy’s originally came from North Cork.

This event takes place here in Ballymaloe, in the Grain Store, on Thursday 10^th October, 7pm €18 Please also see http://www.ballymaloe.ie/things-to-do/wine-events

We are also planning to arrange transport to/from Cork city to Ballymaloe, should this be of interest – hop on the Hennessy Bus to Ballymaloe! Further details to follow, or please let me know if this is of particular interest colm@ballymaloe.ie

Ballymaloe boutique wine shop at Brown Thomas Cork

We have a selection of wines from the wine list and wine cellar here at Ballymaloe, available in the ‘Ballymaloe wine shop at Brown Thomas Cork', which is open every day. This Friday, 4^th October, from 12.30 – 2.30pm, we are delighted to be welcoming Pascal Rossignol of Le Caveau for a tasting of organic, biodynamic and natural wines – please feel very welcome to pop in , informal tasting, taste the wines, and have a chat.

Literary Festival of Food and Wine, 2014!

 

A little bit early to be writing about this, but just as a date for your diary!  16^th – 18^th May 2014. We look forward to welcoming wine writers, wine people and winemakers for a variety of events over the weekend of ther Literary Festival - some of the visiting winemakers confirmed to date include Lilian Barton, of Château Leoville Barton, and Château Langoa Barton, St-Julien, Bordeaux; Aline Baly, of Château Coutet Barsac, Bordeaux, and Telmo Rodriguez, Spain, to name some of the winemakers confirmed so far.