What Does A Favorite Drink Of Regency Era Gentlemen Have to Do With The Great Comet of 1811?

One thing I enjoy when I’m writing a story is creating the personal details about each one of my main characters. I think it helps to make these people feel real. If you’ve read my SECRET LIVES OF THE TON Regency romance series, you’re very familiar with one my favorite heroes, the Earl of Hartwick. Hart is the kind of gentleman who appreciates a truly fine brandy and because I’m the type of person that loves historical details, I wanted to include the name of Hart’s favorite in his story. When I started my research, I thought I’d simply get the name of a notable brandy from 1819. What I discovered gave me an insight into the cognac I drink today.

Before I begin, let me explain the difference between brandy and cognac. Brandy is made by distilling wine and aging it in barrels. Cognac is brandy which comes specifically from the Cognac region in France. So, all cognacs are brandy, but not all brandy is cognac.

During the Regency era, the finest brandy and cognac were produced in France during 1811. To this day, that vintage is considered to be one of the greatest in history, and the reason behind it is tied to a comet!

Screen Shot 2016-08-01 at 10.23.24 AM — The Great Comet of 1811, as drawn by William Henry Smith. Curtesy of Wikimedia.

In March of 1811, the Flaugergues comet began its trek across the sky in the Northern Hemisphere. Although the comet was visible to astronomers for 17 months, during September and October of that year it was visible to everyone with the naked eye. Accounts of the time say the comet illuminated the night sky and at one point, it exceeded the diameter of the sun. That had to have been such an awesome sight!

It’s believed the presence of the comet contributed to optimal growing conditions, particularly in France. The long hot summer and warm dry autumn of that year led to an abundant harvest of perfectly ripe grapes. People soon realized that the brandy, cognac, wine, and champagne of this vintage were exceptional. Even today, you can find bottles of cognac in your local liquor store that have stars on the labels. This isn’t a ranking. The stars are there as a tribute to the 1811 vintage, known as “The Comet Vintage”.

Here’s another fun fact. If you’re familiar with Courvoisier cognac, you’re probably aware it’s known as “Le Cognac de Napoleon”. According to the company’s website, not long after they were founded in 1809, the reputation of their cognac grew quickly among brandy connoisseurs and Napoleon visited their warehouse to try it. He started giving a ration of cognac to his artillery companies to lift morale during the Napoleonic Wars. When he was exiled to St. Helena, legend has it that he chose several casks of Courvoisier cognac to take with him as one of the luxury items he was granted by the British. The British officers on board the HMS Northumberland, who were tasked with transporting Napoleon, appreciated the cognac their prisoner shared with them and referred to it as “the brandy of Napoleon”.

In case you’re curious which brandy Hart favors in AN UNEXPECTED COUNTESS, it’s an 1811 Croizet B. Léon cognac, which recently sold for €25,000 for one bottle.