With roots deep in the French countryside and a vision shaped by modern refinement, Cognac Menier arrives in Jakarta as a symbol of artisanal patience and timeless flavour.
The story of Cognac Menier begins not in a bottle, but in the deep, chalky soils of the French countryside, where its journey is written in the ancient language of the earth and the sun. It is here, amidst the rolling vineyards, that Jacques and Thomas Menier found their calling. This father-and-son duo is defined by an intergenerational passion that bridges the gap between sacred traditions of the past and the vibrant pulse of the modern world.
Their vision was never merely to distil wine into spirit, but to craft a liquid expression of French savoir-faire, a creation complex enough to honour history yet dynamic enough to stand comfortably in the contemporary era. It is from their shared dream that the soul of the cognac was born, shaped by heritage and quiet sophistication, destined to travel from the mist-covered vineyards of France to the dynamic energy of Jakarta.
To realise this ambition, the Meniers turned to four distinct crus within the region, each selected for its unique contribution to the final blend. The prestigious Grande Champagne lends power and longevity, while the lush Fins Bois brings generous fruit complexity. Petite Champagne echoes Grande Champagne’s structure, reinforcing the spirit’s depth, and Borderies imparts an elegant floral lift, adding aromatic nuance. Together, they form a balanced architecture of finesse and strength.
At the Menier family estate, Domaine de la Rigoletrie, the cognac underwent a deliberate transformation. It rests in barriques made up of approximately 10-15% new oak, chosen to introduce gentle tannins without masking the fruit’s natural clarity. In the quiet rhythm of oxidation, the spirit deepens gradually, its youthful edges mellowing into a warm amber glow that recalls the richness of harvests past.
Time, too, plays its role with intention. The Menier VSOP matures for five to six years, allowing its character to unfold with measured grace. A bouquet of vanilla, peach, pear, and soft wood rises on the nose, signalling a refined yet approachable spirit. On the palate, it carries through with smooth warmth, finishing with a subtle trace of vanilla and oak. Drawn from Fins Bois, Petite Champagne, and Borderies crus, and aged in 15% new oak and 85% seasoned (roux) barrels, this expression captures the delicate evolution of youth into elegance.
The XO, by contrast, ages for up to 25 years in 10% new oak and 90% seasoned (roux) barrels, embodying richness and restraint. Layers of jasmine, dried fruits, cacao and toasted wood emerge in a composition shaped by patience. Where the VSOP brings spirited elegance, the XO offers meditative sophistication, revealing how time alone can evolve a cognac from luminous to profound.
This pursuit of patience and craftsmanship reached a meaningful milestone at the brand’s official Indonesian debut. The journey culminated at Mantra, one of Jakarta’s premier modern lifestyle destinations, which provided the ideal stage for its introduction. The event celebrated the Meniers’ vision on an international scale, presenting their expressions through an immersive blend of gastronomy, fashion and performance. More than one hundred guests, from media to industry figures, gathered for the occasion.
In that setting, the legacy of Jacques and Thomas Menier evolved from a story rooted in French soil into a contemporary reality that is now welcomed by a global audience.
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