When did you first become interested in Cognac? (When was your first taste? How was the experience?)
I am born to a family engaged in a long tradition of wine making, and my father was a Cognac maker. During my younger years growing up in Cognac, it was a Sunday custom for my father to allow us children to take a tiny sip of Cognac and wine on one condition: we had to make a qualitative comment. That frame of reference encouraged me to appreciate Cognac and seek the complexities.

What brought you into the Cognac business?
I was a winemaker at the time when I was recruited by Rémy Cointreau. The prospect of joining the renown of the House of Rémy Martin was most attractive to me, given the brands renown as the respected leader in producing highest quality Cognacs. For a winemaker, Cognac is the ultimate wine concentration.

Do you have a favorite varietal or region?
For Cognac: the Grande Champagne region in the very heart of Cognac
For wine at large: Shiraz

If you don't order Cognac at a restaurant or bar, which beverage do you choose?
Whether it is a wine or a spirit, I seek an old vintage coming from a unique land, or as we say in France, terroir.

What's your least favorite drink?
Mescal, which is tequila with a worm inside the bottle. I simply can not.

What's your best Cognac-drinking memory? What was the occasion?
A tasting of Louis XIII de Rémy Martin, the King of Cognacs, on the main stage of The Old Vic Theatre in London with the lead cast of "King Richard," led by the play's star, Kevin Spacey. It was a part of a grand celebration after the debut performance.

What are your thoughts on recent trends within the industry?
The awareness and interest in superior, longer-aged Cognacs is riding a strong and growing trend. This is excellent for Rémy Martin given we are the specialists in Fine Champagne Cognac. Rémy Martin is the leader of superior Cognacs; this is the reason why we are the heart of Cognac.

What is the first thing someone learning about Cognac should know?
Do not be afraid to start with a top of the line Cognac and experience the richness of the spirits in terms of aromas, tastes and length of taste on the palate. You do not have to begin with an entry level VS Cognac and then gradually develop your appreciation toward the finer offerings.

What are some of your favorite food and Cognac pairings?
Food pairings work very well with our Cognacs neat as well as on the rocks. Meats such as sliced tenderloin or Carpaccio with Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal on the rocks are great. Sushi and foie gras with Rémy Martin XO Excellence are both fantastic. We must not forget fruits and desserts!

Do you think any rules should be adhered to when pairing?
As the taste profile of Cognac possesses a wide array of textures, it's best to pair Cognac with foods offering a compatible complexity of flavors. This synergy together enables the most rewarding experience.

What are some of the benefits of drinking Cognac?
Enjoy the experience of a complex and unusually long length of flavor. Take time to drink Cognac and savor the extensive taste, which is much greater compared to any other wine or spirit. This is when things really get interesting!

What Cognac should no home be without?
The best in the world: Fine Champagne Cognac by Rémy Martin —given the House's inimitable technique in delivering the finest in maturity, balance and smoothness. This is the result of grapes harvested from the premier crus in the Petite and Grande Champagne regions of Cognac.

Do you have any favorite Cognac cocktail?
When I am traveling internationally, it is the Sidecar. When I am at home or in one of my favorite bars, the Rémy Alexander, made with banana crème and Cognac.

What are your three best tips, tricks or techniques for Cognac enthusiasts?
1. Do not wait to enjoy Cognac until after dinner—discover its generous flavor profile as a cocktail—whether neat, on the rocks or mixed with fine ingredients. Go with quality. Allow the rich viscosity of a fine Cognac, such as Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal, to blend beautifully within a cocktail recipe and you will immediately taste and feel the difference!

2.Drink Cognac from a fine quality glass. The glass should not be too thick; a good snifter has a shape that does not narrow/close in too much from base to rim. This shape enables the maximum delivery of aromas and taste. It is a misnomer that the commonly known brandy snifter glass, with its wide globe base and much smaller opening, is best for Cognac. In the industry, it is known as the Liar's Glass since it forces the alcohol vapors forward over the aromas. Also, do not swirl the glass to generate maximum aromas. A fine Cognac will release its full complexity of aromas while stationary.

3. Enjoy Cognac chilled ice-cold at zero degrees to enhance the aromas and flavors of the Cognac, and transform the texture of the spirit by making it smoother and more viscous. Rémy Chill served from the Rémy IceBoxx is the leading way to enjoy this unique sensation. To enjoy Cognac served chilled at home, place a bottle of Rémy Martin V.S.O.P in the freezer for at least six hours. For a delicious variation, add a small amount of strawberry, pear or cherry juice.