Angels share goes to charity

High prices and awards were all in evidence at the fifth Angel’s Share charity auction in Cognac two weeks ago.

Twenty-four bottles of rare Cognac, donated by the houses, were up for sale at the event and raised a total of €71,000 in less than an hour for the regional charity Solidarité Urgence.

One bottle of Rémy Martin Coupe Shanghai with a reserve of €5,000 was eventually sold for €16,000.

Overall, nearly every lot was sold above its estimates in an evening that “exceeded expectations”.

Expressing his delight at the evening’s success, Jérôme Durand, head of communication at the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC), which organised the auction, said: “It is a testimony to Cognac’s reputation throughout the world that the Part des Anges, in the space of only five years, is becoming such a high profile event in the international calendar.”

During the evening, three members of the Cognac trade were also recognised for their work.

UK-based journalist and author Nicholas Faith was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Cognac through his writing, particularly his 2004 book on the region and its produce.

International Cognac Writer of the Year 2010 was awarded to Flavien Desoblin for his “enthusiasm and exhaustive Cognac collection at his ‘Brandy Library’ in New York”.

Finally, Jörg Zipprick, author of the first German language book on Cognac in 25 years, Die Welt des Cognacs, was awarded the International Cognac Writer of the year 2010.

Rupert Millar, 29.09.2010