🥃 Rémy Martin
Cognac house in the town of Cognac, founded in 1724 by the winegrower Rémy Martin; makes only Fine Champagne cognac; owned by Rémy Cointreau.
Rémy Martin is a cognac house in the town of Cognac, founded in 1724 by the winegrower Rémy Martin. The house is distinctive in making only Fine Champagne cognac: a blend of spirits from the two best zones of the region, in which Grande Champagne makes up at least 50%. The house now belongs to the French group Rémy Cointreau.
In 1738 Louis XV allowed Martin to plant new vineyards, an event that gave its name to the cognac 1738 Accord Royal. The centaur emblem, according to available data, appeared in 1841 under Paul-Émile Rémy Martin. VSOP was popularised in 1927 by André Renaud, and the house released XO in 1981 under André Giraud. Baptiste Loiseau has been cellar master since 2014. These dates are given on the basis of a single source. In 1990–1991 the house merged with Cointreau, forming the Rémy Cointreau group, which is owned by the Hériard-Dubreuil family.
Like any cognac, Rémy Martin is made under the rules of the Cognac AOC: white wine from grapes of the region is distilled twice and aged in oak barrels for at least two years. The house distils on the lees in small copper stills and ages its spirits in Limousin oak.
The range includes VSOP, 1738 Accord Royal, XO and Louis XIII, which is made only from Grande Champagne.
Why this matters to you. "Fine Champagne" has nothing to do with champagne: it is the name of a zone of the cognac region. VSOP and XO are age designations common to all cognacs: the years are counted by the youngest spirit in the blend. The word "Cognac" on the label guarantees the origin and double distillation. The WHO reminds us that no level of alcohol consumption is safe.
Facts
| Year founded | 1724, Cognac (Rémy Martin) |
|---|---|
| Raw material | white wine from Grande and Petite Champagne grapes (Grande at least 50%) |
| Distillation method | double, on the lees, in small copper stills |
| Cask type | Limousin oak |
| Minimum maturation | V.S – 2 years, V.S.O.P – 4, X.O – 10 (by the youngest spirit) |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | from 40% ABV (the minimum for cognac) |
| Legal basis | AOC Cognac (cahier des charges); EU GI Cognac |
What it includes
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Rémy Martin → kind of → 🍇 Grape brandies → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🥃 VS, VSOP, XO
- Previous step
- 🥃 Rémy Cointreau
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Fine Champagne
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 French
- Part of
- 🍇 Grape brandies, 🥃 Cognac
- Related to
- 🌍 Western Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Hennessy, 🥃 Martell, 🥃 Martell, 🥃 Courvoisier, 🥃 Courvoisier, 🥃 Hennessy, 🥃 Hine, 🥃 Cointreau
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Fine Champagne is cognac made from champagne?
No. Fine Champagne is a zone of the cognac region: a blend of Grande and Petite Champagne spirits in which Grande Champagne makes up at least 50%. It has nothing to do with champagne wine.
How does VSOP differ from XO?
In the age of the youngest spirit in the blend: at least 4 years for V.S.O.P and at least 10 for X.O. Older spirits may also be part of the blend.
What is Louis XIII?
The oldest cognac in the house's range. According to available data and the brand's website, it is made only from Grande Champagne.
Who founded Rémy Martin?
The winegrower Rémy Martin, in 1724 in Cognac. In 1738 Louis XV allowed him to plant new vineyards.
Who owns Rémy Martin?
The Rémy Cointreau group, formed after the merger with Cointreau in the early 1990s. It is owned by the Hériard-Dubreuil family.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🌍 Western Europe — France, the Netherlands, Britain, Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg: a mild, moist climate, pastures and hundreds of cheeses such as Roquefort, Camembert, Gouda and Cheddar.
- 🧑🤝🧑 French — The French are the main population of France, known for the festive meal and baguette on UNESCO's list, for wine and for cheese.
- 🥃 VS, VSOP, XO — Cognac age statements, based on the youngest spirit in the blend.
- 🥃 Hennessy — Cognac house in the town of Cognac in Charente, founded in 1765 by the Irish officer Richard Hennessy; now part of Moët Hennessy.
Similar
🥃 Martell · 🥃 Courvoisier · 🥃 Hennessy · 🥃 Christian Brothers Brandy · 🥃 Stock · 🥃 Metaxa
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Cahier des charges de l'AOC «Cognac», arrêté du 10 juin 2026, BO Agri 18.06.2026 (comptes d'âge, mentions de vieillissement)
- Rémy Martin — official site (Fine Champagne cognac, Limousin oak)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)