Forgeron, bouilleur de Cru in Chez Richon (Grande champagne)
This beautiful house just east of Ségonzac was bought by Jean and Ernestine Gonthier in 1909. It was a mixed farming business: cattle-breeding and growing of corn and grapes. In 1934 it was continued by their son-in-law, Dély Forgeron.
In 1960 Michel Forgeron took over. He inherited one third of his father and starts with 2 hectares of wine and 4 hectares of agriculture, but already in 1965 already is planted with grapes. That same year he installes an alambic, marries to Francine, and the two of them begin to build their company. At first they sell to the major cognac companies but as of 1977 they start to sell their own cognacs with the brand name Forgeron.
They expand and in 1998 they own 16 hectares, a respectable vineyard. His son Pierre takes over in 1999 en further expands his vineyard to 24 hectares. Pierre’s brother Christophe has also joined the company.
In the year 2001 they also started to plant the Folle blanche variety. Now they make three milléssimes of almost 100% Folle Blanche – 2005, 2008 and 2011 – with high alcohol percentages.
The normal range is VSOP, Napoléon, Vieille Réserve, XO and Hors d’Age.
Beside that they produce the Barrique series, which are vintages and are all well above 40% ABV.: 75, 78, 79, 84, 86, 89. The complete series (most of them are no longer available at Forgeron) was: 65, 68, 74, 75, 79, 84, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97. And they keep making new vintages.
They recently started a new, more modern line: Salamandre VS, VSOP and XO. They hope to appeal to a younger audience. The content of these bottles is identical to that of the classic line.
http://www.cognacforgeron.com/
Address: Chez Richon, 16130 Segonzac. Telephone: 0545 834305. (Visitors are welcome).