Cognac : the seductive saga of the world's most coveted spirit

'Rich in history and admirable scholarship. Its a fine grande champagne of a book, to be savored over and over. Patricia Wells, author of The Provence Cookbook Called the 'brandy of the gods' by Victor Hugo, Cognac is a universal symbol of refinement and quality. In the first comprehensive history of this celebrated drink, Kyle Jarrard charts Cognacand offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Hennessy, Remy-Martin, Courvoisier, Martell, and other legendary brands. For any Cognac lover, this fascinating book will make the perfect gift. Kyle Jarrard (Paris, France) is a senior editor at the International Herald Tribune and author of the highly acclaimed novels Over There and Rolling the Bones.

Introduction. The Grapes Are Coming. Much Ado About Salt and Wine. Difficult Birth of an Eau-de-Vie. Mayhem on the Charente. Rising Houses, Rising Fortunes. A Distillate Turns Golden. Phylloxera and The Texas Cure. The German Who Saved Cognac. Glory Years, With Feathers. Tale of a Big House, Tale of a Little House. Last of the Mohicans. From the Nursery to the Glass. Agendas for Tomorrow. The Spirit Flows On. Acknowledgements. Bibliography. Index.