Cognac Croizet launches award-winners at Crowne Plaza

Media release Crowne Plaza Queenstown

October 10 2013

Cognac Croizet launches award-winning cognacs at unique degustation dinner at Crowne Plaza Queenstown

Internationally-renowned cognac house, Cognac Croizet will launch in New Zealand this month hosting a first-of-its-kind cognac matched degustation dinner at Crowne Plaza Queenstown.

With over 200 years of history, having owned vineyards in Cognac since the 16th Century, Cognac Croizet is arguably the World’s Premier Single Vintage Cognac House, known for its exquisite flavours and premium products.

The Cognac Croizet Infused Dinner Experience will be held on October 26 at the hotel’s threesixty restaurant enabling foodies to indulge in a gastronomic experience of food, cognac and superb entertainment.

Guests will be wowed by a six course extravaganza especially designed for the occasion by executive chef Ricky Isnanto.

Tickets cost $149 including six courses with cognac match and live pre-dinner entertainment by Jive Pranksters.

The menu, which uses Cognac Croizet in some dishes, includes duck liver paté, infused with Croizet Cognac VSOP, with toasted brioche, plum caviars, and a porcini and pinot shallot ragout, a crayfish bisque with New Zealand kai moana and Croizet VSOP Gold, Ora King Salmon cured with Croizet Cognac XO Gold, with dill on a fresh green gazpacho spaghettoni, followed by a kaffir lime and pomegranate sorbet palate cleanser.

The main course is tender Hereford beef fillet, infused with Croizet Cognac VSOP Gold, drizzled with a chocolate mole sauce, parmesan and smoked parsnip puree accompanied by a roast vegetable stack. Dessert is a Valrhona decadent dark chocolate crème brûlée.

Each course will be expertly matched with one of the Cognac Croizet range including the very special Croizet XO Gold which is aged for a minimum of 15 years and a special dessert cocktail ; The Croizet Alexander Cocktail.

On arrival guests will enjoy a replica of Croizet Cognac’s world-famous cocktail, ‘The Winston’, which holds the Guinness Book of Records place for the most expensive cocktail ever sold.

The original creation, containing 1858 Cuvee Leonie and aptly named “The Winston”, sold for $12,500 AUD per glass at an event in Melbourne at the Crown Casino.

Croizet Cognac also holds the record for the most expensive bottle of cognac ever sold; a pre- Phylloxera 1858 cognac called “Cuvee Leonie”, which sold for $157,000 USD at auction in Shanghai in 2011, and now retails across the world in a few selected properties such as MGM Macau for upwards of $185,000 USD.

Croizet Cognacs have been appreciated throughout history, from Russian Tsars to Winston Churchill and General Eisenhower on the eve of D- Day in 1944. The prestigious cognacs were even served on board the Titanic in 1912.

The prestigious cognacs are bought to New Zealand by Sahara New Zealand, who has been appointed the sole and exclusive distributor for the Cognac Croizet brand in New Zealand.

Sahara New Zealand Managing Director Jason Dellaca said he was “very proud” to be associated with the Intercontinental Hotel Group and Crowne Plaza Queenstown for the launch.

“The unique Cognac Croizet Infused Dinner has to be experienced to be believed,” said Mr Dellaca.

“This is sure be a night to remember, with a masterly-designed Croizet Cognac infused six course menu, matched perfectly with a superior Croizet Cognac for each course including a rare Single Vintage Cognac”.

Crowne Plaza Queenstown Guest Experience Manager Guy Robinson said he was “delighted” to be able to offer the prestigious dinner to Queenstowners and visitors.

“There’s really been nothing like this held in Queenstown before,” said Mr Robinson.

“Food and wine matching has long been the ‘foodie’ experience of choice but matching world-class cognacs with equally-sublime food is rare.”

“It’s not just for the cognac purists either, the food and cognac complement each other so well, we believe anyone who enjoys good flavours will be blown away by the ‘infusion experience’,” Mr Robinson said.

“Chef Ricky and I have worked tirelessly to ensure the cognacs perfectly match the food flavours. Using the best fresh, local ingredients accompanied by one of the world’s best cognacs has resulted in some of the best dishes I’ve tasted in a long while.”

Reservations are essential as tickets limited. To book contact Crowne Plaza Queenstown on 03 441 0095.

ENDS

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