The name ‘Dubreuil’ brings with it respect and responsibility in equal measure. It is after all the very same family that has held the reins of leading cognac maison, the House of Rémy Martin, since 1965. So it was a special occasion for the maison when Florian Hériard Dubreuil, a fourth-generation member of the distinguished family, and the International Brand Ambassador for the House of Rémy Martin flew to Hong Kong to facilitate a unique pairing experience with premium cognac Rémy Martin XO and gourmet chocolate, courtesy of leading chocolatier La Maison du Chocolat. We caught up with Mr. Dubreuil as he took us on a journey to reveal the legacy and opulence of Rémy Martin.

What is like to grow up in a family which has such a rich legacy?

It was both a blessing and a privilege to have grown up in such an illustrious family, which gave me the opportunity to be exposed to great experiences, great aromas, legendary cellar-masters, gourmet gastronomy… and living your life as an art. It’s also an honour to have been transmitted this special know-how to inspire other people to continue our legacy.

 What is the universal appeal of Rémy Martin XO?

Rémy Martin XO is an opulent mix of aromas with a lingering long finish. We use the eaux-de-vie from grapes grown only in the best Cognac regions – Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne, together known as Cognac Fine Champagne. And we then age it for a long time to give it a wide range of aromas – of flowers, fruits and spices, reminiscent of late-summer fruit, juicy plums, ripe figs and candied oranges, hints of cinnamon and hazelnut from ageing in oak barrels, along with a velvety texture, flamboyant mahogany colour, supreme density and exceptional mellowness.

Why do you think a cognac like Rémy Martin XO pairs so well with chocolate?

 From growing fruits to perfecting their subtle aromas, both cognac and chocolate are created in unexpectedly similar ways, developing complementary flavour profiles. Chocolate pairing especially enhances the roasted dry fruits and cocoa facet of Rémy Martin XO’s aromatic spectrum.

What are the best ways of appreciating cognac in Hong Kong’s tropical climate?

The ideal temperature to savour Rémy Martin XO is around 23˚C. But if you’re outside and it’s hot, don’t hesitate to add some ice to your drink. It actually mellows the intensity, and the fruity notes open up even more.

With climate change being a sad reality, how do you protect your vineyards from the harsh effects of global warming?

 It is our biggest challenge. We have experienced several really warm seasons for quite some time now. Whereas earlier we used to harvest in mid to late October, we harvest in early September now. There has been a lot of research over the last fifteen years to identify long-term solutions such as varietal innovation or resisting grape varieties.

To that effect, Rémy Martin has a large test plot of around one hectare for the planting of new varieties of grapes, which will meet the viticulture conditions of the future.

Thank you.