Maison Cognac Frapin was selected from among nearly 2 applications to represent the Charente department at the third edition of the Great Exhibition of Made in France, which will be held at the Elysée Palace from July 1 to 2, 2023.
This showcases the expertise of this historic Cognac house with the Château Fontpinot XO cuvée. This iconic cuvée, which celebrates its centenary this year, is presented in a limited-edition packaging inspired by the original.
Its exceptional character begins with its name "Château," a word used because all stages of production, from harvest to bottling, including vinification, distillation, and aging, take place at Domaine Château de Fontpinot. It continues with its vineyard, the only one of 240 hectares in a single plot, 100% Premier Cru.
Participating in this event is a wonderful recognition for this family business, proud to represent Charente.
History of the Frapin House of 13e century to the present day
En 1270, the Frapin family, a family of winegrowers, arrives in the area of Segonzac in Charente. 1494 sees the birth of François Rabelais, son of Anne-Catherine Frapin and Antoine Rabelais. Maison Frapin honors this illustrious ancestor by producing the famous "Rabelais" vintage. The feather inscribed on the Frapin logo also pays tribute to the famous author. 1534, Jehan, nephew of François Rabelais, was appointed "Master Chef-Sommelier" by François I. In other words, he held control over the king's kitchens and the key to his cellar. 1697, King Louis XIV distinguished his apothecary Pierre Frapin with the creation of a coat of arms. The coat of arms of the Frapin family was thus born, where we can see the fleur-de-lis, which symbolizes the king, and the two trees, the lepidodendrons which are the symbol of the apothecaries.
Château Fontpinot was completed in 1872, Henri Frapin added 3 towers and that is how we still know it today. 1885, the New Orleans International Exposition awards Frapin Cognac with the “First Degree of Merit” prize. 1889, time stops its flight above the glass palace of the Paris Universal Exhibition. The pavilions, with their exposed iron lacework underneath, celebrate the industrial buzz and Art Nouveau. It was in this exhilarating atmosphere that Frapin Cognacs were rewarded for their excellence and Pierre Frapin received the gold medal from Gustave Eiffel himself. In 1892, the Cognac House had the framework of the Segonzac cellar built within the Domaine Frapin by Gustave Eiffel and his team. This would be the only work by Eiffel in the region. Henri Frapin bought in 1895 his first car, a Panhard & Levassor, to travel the region's roads. It still works. Pierre Frapin receives in 1898 from the Cognac Agricultural Committee, an Honorary Award for “reconstituted vineyards: large-scale cultivation”, after having replanted its vines ravaged by phylloxera.
En 1900, Cognac Frapin wins the gold medal at the Universal Exhibition in Paris. 1904 to 1927, the House will obtain a multitude of diplomas at the various Universal and International Exhibitions… St Louis in 1904, Milan in 1906, Brussels in 1910 and Madrid in 1927. 1945 to 1966, Albert Frapin strives to develop his vineyard around Château Fontpinot. In 1967, Cognac Frapin XO VIP is the only Cognac served on Concorde and British Airways 'First Class' flights and from 1990, Cognac Frapin is distributed in 75 countries.
En 2003, an English consecration see the vintage Cognac Frapin 1948 served at 10 Downing Street (residence of the 1er English minister" for the dinner bringing together the Queen and her ministers. The "Multimillésime n°1 Frapin" is distinguished in 2008 "Best Spirit in the World" at the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) in London. A true first for a Cognac! Cognac Frapin was awarded the "Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant" (EPV) label in 2012. The EPV label is a national recognition mark established to distinguish French companies with superior artisanal and industrial expertise. To date, only three Cognac Houses have held this label. 2013 is a great year for the Maison Cognac Frapin which finds itself labeled "French Excellence" and the "Vintage 1991" receives the title of "Best Cognac of the Year" during the International Spirits Challenge in London. 2016, Cognac Frapin VSOP was voted “Best VSOP Cognac in the World” by the World Cognac Awards (United Kingdom).
Today, Marie Frapin's grandson, Jean-Pierre Cointreau, is the President of Cognac Frapin.
Great Exhibition of the Made in France, in a few words
It returns in 2023, building on the success of the two previous editions. This annual event, initiated by the President of the Republic in January 2020, honors companies, artisans, producers, and manufacturers fully committed to French manufacturing.
The event is free and open to the public and aims to promote all stakeholders, communities, businesses and citizens involved in a dynamic dedicated to our industrial and economic sovereignty.
125 products made in France, all from all provinces and metropolitan and overseas regions, will be exhibited in the Élysée Palace, the gardens, the salons and the main courtyard.
André Tirlet
