Raymond Ragnaud Folle Blanche 2005 Grande Champagne

Raymond Ragnaud Folle Blanche 2005 Grande Champagne Cognac

The Raymond Ragnaud Folle Blanche 2005 Cognac is quite unique in that it's produced from a rare, old grape variety called Folle Blanche. This used to be the grape of choice in the vineyards of Cognac until the phylloxera blight in the 19th century killed off most of the vines. They were then replanted with more hardy, disease-resistant varieties. The best thing about eaux-de-vie created from Folle Blanche grapes is the delicate elegance and perfume character they impart on the wine. This 2005 vintage harvest delight from the Premier Cru is literally a journey back to times gone by - one that anyone who appreciates a good Cognac will surely enjoy.

The history of the House of Raymond Ragnaud dates back to 1860 when the Ragnaud family owned a small vineyard in the renowned Grande Champagne region. In 1920, Paul Ragnaud acquired the Château of Ambleville and set up producing Cognac. He was succeeded just over two decades later by his son Raymond, who took over caring for the vineyard marketing the eaux-de-vie he had inherited.

In 1963, Raymond’s wife expanded the business, aided by her children Françoise and Jean-Marie. Today it covers 47 hectares in 3 different vineyards - Ambleville, Criteuil and Lignières-Sonneville - sprawled across the slopes of the Premier Cru, an area known for producing eaux-de-vie of unparalleled quality.

For the last 30 years, Françoise Ragnaud-Bricq has remained faithful to her roots and carried on the tradition of supervising the grape harvest with meticulousness. She works alongside the Cellar Master at Maison Raymond Ragnaud to produce their distinct single estate Cognacs, using only two copper pot stills with a capacity of 16 hectolitres each. 

Presentation of the Bottle

While the grape variety chosen may be old, the packaging is thoroughly modern. The straight-sided bottle features a natural wood stopper and leaf-green label. Presented in a matching tube, this Cognac would make a lovely gift.

How to Enjoy Raymond Ragnaud Folle Blanche Cognac

This fantastic Cognac is best enjoyed in a slim tulip glass. Serve as an aperitif over ice or neat as a digestif; a small dash of water may be added to bring out the most delicate aromas.