Time, terroir and telling a 300-year story – A Rémy Martin experience

Across 300 years the Rémy Martin story has been one of heritage, passion, time, terroir, knowledge passed down the generations – and as much as any of these, of hard work and humility too.

All of these themes have bounded to the surface in the past few days spent in the company of senior management, staff, ambassadors and business partners in a trio of locations – Cognac, Paris and Cannes – as part of the famed Cognac house’s tricentenary (1724-2024) celebrations.

Arriving at a beautifully renovated Maison Rémy Martin with Chief Maison Ambassador Alexandre Quintin (back) and Rémy-Cointreau CEO for Europe, Middle East, India & Africa, Asia Pacific & Global Travel Retail Ian McLernon (right)
Opulence revealed: Embarking on a memorable food pairing journey with Rémy Martin Chief Maison Ambassador Alexandre Quintin

These celebrations also included the recent reveal of the 300th Rémy Martin Anniversary Coupe, which made its debut in global travel retail at a series of exclusive dinners in Hong Kong and Singapore in March, hosted by Cellar Master Baptiste Loiseau. (Click here for our related interview.)

A remarkable taste journey continues with a sampling of the 300th Rémy Martin Anniversary Coupe, with Ian McLernon and Alexandre Quintin. The expression is described as as “the next exquisite milestone… testament to the timeless art of Cognac perfection”.

The events celebrate the landmark through a year of special activities around the theme ‘We Dream Forward’, which comes to life in the key channel of travel retail as well as in domestic markets, online and through key relationships – among them the Cannes International Film Festival, of which Rémy-Cointreau is a major long-term partner.

A memorable walk through the Maison visitor experience included an encounter with the many travel expressions created by the brand down the years. Remember Rémy Martin Trek (far left)? Below, Louis XIII on elegant display. 

Our on location report and commentaries will follow soon. Highlights of the past few days included a major interview with Maison Rémy Martin CEO Jean-Philippe Hecquet, who talks about binding the past, present but also crucially projecting into the future.

He assesses what innovation means in a Cognac context and how the ‘consumer first’ focus of the house and recruiting the next generation of Cognac lovers is taking shape.

We spent a memorable day of immersion into the world of Rémy Martin – perhaps best summed up by the ‘Opulence Revealed’ experience that lay at its heart – alongside Rémy-Cointreau CEO for Europe, Middle East, India & Africa, Asia Pacific (excluding Greater China) & Global Travel Retail Ian McLernon and Chief Maison Ambassador Alexandre Quintin, taking in the beautifully restored brand home and visitor centre, the cellars and gardens of the company-owning Hériard Dubreuil family, and a myriad of topics about the world of Rémy Martin.

With Ian McLernon at Le Grollet, the prestigious estate that remains in the hands of the Hériard Dubreuil family and where many Louis XIII casks remain stored. Below, an exquisite moment as Alexandre Quintin repeats a ritual carried on for generations, and pours Louis XIII, the pinnacle of the House, straight from the cask.

Also, in a world where the meaning of the term organic has arguably become nebulous with over-use, we’ll tell the story of Champagne house Telmont and how it is building a global prestige brand on zero compromise principles about going fully organic and protecting the planet. The launch of its first travel retail expression Réserve de la Terre represents an important step in the movement.

Where the magic happens: Inside the Rémy Martin distillery

Our visit and conversations also helped underscore the vital role of travel retail for Rémy-Cointreau, and its willingness to invest with partners to grow value across the industry Trinity.

And let’s not overlook a thrilling crowning moment as the week ended – a VVIP experience at the Cannes International Film Festival, where we were honoured to join Rémy-Cointreau leadership and a group of charming, entertaining and influential business colleagues and friends for the full ‘red carpet’ movie treatment on Friday night.

Enjoying a VVIP experience at the Festival de Cannes with Rémy-Cointreau, starting and ending at The Majestic Hotel, were (left to right) The Moodie Davitt Report President Dermot Davitt, African & Eastern Dubai CEO Jason Dixon and wife Debra, Rémy-Cointreau CEO for Europe, Middle East, India & Africa, Asia Pacific (excluding Greater China) & Global Travel Retail Ian McLernon and his wife Julia, Martine and Marc Hériard Dubreuil representing the Rémy-Cointreau shareholding family, and Lenara and Raimbek Batalov of Raimbek Group in Kazakhstan
Walking the red carpet: A very different experience of the Palais des Festivals compared to TFWA World Exhibition in October

They were led by Marc and Martine Hériard Dubreuil representing the Rémy-Cointreau shareholding family; Ian McLernon and his wife Julia; Raimbek and Lenara Batalov of Raimbek Group, which is the drinks group’s distribution partner in Kazakhstan; African & Eastern Dubai CEO Jason Dixon and wife Debra (A&E is the group’s distribution partner in the UAE); Rémy-Cointreau Events Director Mayanne Chauvet-Viudes and Alain Roulleau, the latter a remarkable duo who drive the Rémy-Cointreau relationship with the Festival de Cannes and its activities during the event.

Watch out for our detailed stories, coming soon, about how Rémy-Cointreau is honouring its past and writing new chapters that will define its future.