Tatler+
How a trip to the Rémy Martin estate helped this society couple develop a deeper appreciation for Louis XIII Cognac
When former Rémy Martin chairman André Renaud decided that the house will exclusively produce cognac made from Petite Champagne and Grande Champagne crus, it was with foresight into the next century, leading the house to producing exceptional cognacs. Located in the heart of Cognac, the first cru of the region Grande Champagne is sacred. Limestone based soils allows the roots of the Ugni blanc (or Trebbiano grape) vines to burrow deep into the Earth and retrieve the vital nutrients. This results in grapes perfect for distillation and maturation, hence producing the most powerful and long-ageing cognacs. Louis XIII Cognac is an exquisite blend of up to 1,200 grapes eau de vie sourced exclusively from Grande Champagne.
The importance of terroir extends beyond the vineyards and into the cellars, where barrels of distilled nectar perform magic over decades and centuries. A mysterious interplay between the air of the cellars, the wood of the barrels and the eau de vie culminates in a firework of flavours. The limited edition Louis XIII Black Pearl AHD represents the pinnacle of Louis XIII cognac: its precious liquid is drawn from a single tierçon hidden in the family reserve, deep inside the André Hériard Dubreuil cellar, which is cooler, darker and damper than the other cellars.
Having visited the family estate and cellars, and tasted eau de vie straight from the barrel, Singaporean couple and Louis XIII Cognac collectors Elaine Lim-Chan and Chan Kok Weng have developed a deeper appreciation for the craft that goes into making each bottle of cognac.
MEET ELAINE LIM-CHAN
As a Managing Director at Deutsche Personal Wealth, Elaine Lim-Chan understands there is little room for ignorance. The go-getter’s success is dependent on her ability to combine market knowledge and relationship skills; something she also poured into her role as the first female president of Singapore’s Ferrari Owner’s Club back in 2015.
“During my tenure as president, I got Louis XIII onboard as a sponsor and thanks to that connection, when I organised a trip to France, we went to Cognac and visited their estate,” she shares. There, the couple were treated to an exclusive experience of dining in the family cellars and tasting eau de vie directly from the barrels. This first-hand exposure impressed on them the centuries-old heritage and artisanal dedication that goes into the production of Louis XIII.
Every sip, every drop contains a multitude of complexity. And yet, it is so much more than just a bottle of cognac, it’s history.