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Drink

Cognac and the Viking connection in la France profonde

Strong waters have always had an appeal in the frozen North

13 December 2014

9:00 AM

13 December 2014

9:00 AM

The chestnut trees were still resplendent in yellow leaf along the banks of a misty autumn river on its glide through woodlands, pasture, comfortable towns — and vineyards. This was the Charente. Eighty years ago, before the lorry became dominant, it would not have been so peaceful. In those days, barges laden with barrels of Cognac made their way along this river to the coast to be shipped all over the world.

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