"This text covers the story behind cognac and the great cognac houses of France as well as how this special brandy is created. It includes practical advice about the art of tasting and choosing the right cognac and how to store it."--Publisher's description.

"In addition, Jarrard takes a behind-the-scenes look at Hennessy, Remy Martin, Courvoisier, Martell, Delamain, and other finely tuned companies whose decisions today will make the Cognacs of tomorrow."--BOOK JACKET.

It's called the noble spirit--and who better to explain why than the world expert on cognac, Salvatore Calabrese? In these elegantly illustrated, information-filled pages, the fascinating history of cognac unfolds, decade by decade, along with personal stories of those who produce the golden liquid; a summary of the distillation process from grape to bottle; tasting notes for the finest vintages; tips of the trade; and handsome photography.

Entries contain extensive tasting notes describing aroma and flavour and provide information about the quality of each brand.

Made from distilled wine, brandy has a long, noble tradition of refined consumption, but it has also recently experienced a surge in popularity thanks to new cocktail trends. Brandy chronicles the history of this very popular spirit, traveling from medieval alchemists to present-day drink mixologists and exploring brandy’s production and consumption from the Middle Ages to today. Delving into brandy’s fascinating story, Becky Sue Epstein reveals that many cultures have contributed to the history of the beverage, from the Dutch calling the drink “burnt wine” to the Spanish colonials in Peru and California who produced the first brandies in the New World. She also explores the distillation and aging processes, and she discusses the spirit’s many varieties, including the elegant, amber Cognac and the more overlooked Armagnac. In addition, Epstein offers advice on buying, storing, and serving brandy, while also providing recipes for both classic and new cocktails. Taken neat or mixed in a sidecar, Brandy is a tasty book for both connoisseurs and first-time drinkers to enjoy.

Pastry chef David Lebovitz is known for creating desserts with bold and high-impact flavor, not fussy, complicated presentations. Lucky for us, this translates into showstopping sweets that bakers of all skill levels can master. In Ready for Dessert, elegant finales such as Gâteau Victoire, Black Currant Tea Crème Brûlée, and Anise-Orange Ice Cream Profiteroles with Chocolate Sauce are as easy to prepare as comfort foods such as Plum-Blueberry Upside-Down Cake, Creamy Rice Pudding, and Cheesecake Brownies. With his unique brand of humor—and a fondness for desserts with “screaming chocolate intensity”—David serves up a tantalizing array of more than 170 recipes for cakes, pies, tarts, crisps, cobblers, custards, soufflés, puddings, ice creams, sherbets, sorbets, cookies, candies, dessert sauces, fruit preserves, and even homemade liqueurs. David reveals his three favorites: a deeply spiced Fresh Ginger Cake; the bracing and beautiful Champagne Gelée with Kumquats, Grapefruits, and Blood Oranges; and his chunky and chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies. His trademark friendly guidance, as well as suggestions, storage advice, flavor variations, and tips will help ensure success every time. Accompanied with stunning photos by award-winning photographer Maren Caruso, this new compilation of David’s best recipes to date will inspire you to pull out your sugar bin and get baking or churn up a batch of homemade ice cream. So if you’re ready for dessert (and who isn’t?), you’ll be happy to have this collection of sweet indulgences on your kitchen shelf—and your guests will be overjoyed, too.

An Impetuous College Undergraduate ... A Nation at War ... A New Unit Seeking "Experienced Mountaineers ... Men of Good Physique ... Who Have Lived and Worked in the Mountains ... " Three letters of recommendation later, in early 1943, William Lowell Putnam joined what was to become the 10th Mountain Division, the first and only mountain warefare unit of the U.S. Army. Green Cognac: The Education of a Mountain Fighter is a superb account of the mountain and ski troops as seen from Putnam's often wry perspective. What transpired during the brief, eventful years of war is the story of Green Cognac, as told by one who was well acquainted with the mountains and mountaineering before he became a mountain fighter. Putnam applied this knowledge while serving in the infantry regiments of the 10th Mountain Division. The elite Mountain Troops were sent to break the German Gothic Line in the Apennine Mountains of Italy. Brilliantly led, they fought their way northward with magnificent dash, seizing control of ten mountain crests. Their determined drive broke the German resistance and brought on the first large-scale enemy surrender of World War II. Much celebrated and studied after the war for their striking success and spirit in the field, the Mountain Trrops presented an awe-inspiring picture of camaraderie and courage. From the bold ski-tropper concept, first suggested in 1940, to the final days of demobilization at the end of 1945, this is their story.

- Journey through the history of LOUIS XIII, a luxury cognac from the House of Rémy Martin- Testimonies from early twentieth-century letters and diaries speak to the enduring quality of the brand- Illustrations, photographs and stylish design evoke the aesthetic of the period- Preface by John MalkovichFirst exhibited at the Exposition Universelle (Paris, 1900) LOUIS XIII has embodied sophistication for over a century. Each bottle is a unique work of art, from the decanter - each of which requires eleven craftsmen to blow the crystal, apply the ornamentation and wrap the 20-K gold collar around its slender neck - to the cognac itself. Composed of up to 1200 eaux-de-vie from the first cru of the Cognac region, Grande Champagne, LOUIS XIII balances notes of myrrh, honey, dried roses, plum, honeysuckle, cigar boxes, leather, figs and passion fruit in an unmatched, ambrosial blend. This book is an ode to the cognac, sung by some of its earliest and most vibrant devotees. We delve into the diaries and letters of two passionate travelers aboard the America-bound cruiser Normandie, 1935; the agenda of King George VI and his wife Queen Elizabeth on their visit to Versailles in 1938; and the first-hand account of a young millionaire who, while on a trip to Constantinople in 1928, requested that the Orient-Express stop so that the surface of his brandy might lie still. Tracing the history of the iconic decanter from the pewter flask found after the Battle of Jarnac to the inspired glass vessels that captivated the royal courts of Europe, Louis XIII Cognac's Thesaurus promises an elegant and entertaining glimpse into this prestigious cognac and the characters who drank it.

Features recipes for Hemingway's favorite cocktails and looks at how they made their way into his works, while offering anecdotes about the celebrated author's drinking habits and frequent haunts.

Fortnum & Mason Food & Drink Awards Drink Book of the Year 2015. Spirited Awards Nominee for Best New Spirits Book 2015. This book uncovers the best spirits the world has to offer. These are not necessarily the best-known examples on the planet - though if they are good, they have a place here - but the best crafted and most interesting. Spirit by spirit Joel Harrison and Neil Ridley explain what you need to know to appreciate a spirit - its ingredients, its classic forms, the choices a distiller makes in creating it - and offer their picks to 'Drink Before You Expire' - the world's best examples of their type, from gin and rum to shochu and tequila. There are plenty of suggestions for how to drink too, with innovative and classic cocktails and their insider tips on getting the best out of your spirits.