Martell VS

About this wine

Martell VS opens with vivid aromas of plum, apricot and candied citrus followed by a round fruit driven palate. The spirit is made largely from Ugni Blanc base wines that are double distilled then aged in oak which gives the cognac its clarity and gentle wood spice. Martell is known for distilling exclusively clear wines which removes the lees and preserves fresh fruit aromas in the final blend. Many of the eaux de vie used by the house come from the Borderies cru which contributes floral and sweet fruit character and a smooth texture. The finish is clean and lively, with lingering citrus peel and soft vanilla notes from barrel aging.

About the grape

Ugni Blanc, also known as Trebbiano in Italy, became the dominant grape of Cognac after 19th century phylloxera because it grafted well onto American rootstock and resisted rot in the region's humid, ocean influenced climate. The variety is valued for its late ripening, high acidity and low sugar, which produce thin, stable white wines ideal for double distillation into eaux de vie. In Martell production Ugni Blanc is the backbone of most blends, sourced from crus such as Borderies, Grande Champagne and Fins Bois, and cultivated to emphasize clean, floral and fruity eaux de vie through careful vineyard selection and traditional winemaking practices. Its predominance is also reflected in AOC rules that require Cognac to be made almost entirely from Ugni Blanc and a small allowance of other authorized white varieties.

Quick facts

• 🏰 Martell is the oldest of the great Cognac houses, founded in 1715, and that long history is part of the VS story.
• 🍑 Martell VS is made from clear wines with the lees removed, a Maison specific choice that gives the spirit unusually bright fruit aromas.
• 🍇 The predominant grape for Martell VS is Ugni Blanc, a humble white grape that is the backbone of nearly all Cognac.
• 🌿 Maison Martell favours eaux de vie from the tiny Borderies region and ageing in Tronçais oak, choices that help VS keep a floral and silky character.
• 🍸 Martell VS has become a favourite for bartenders and has won recent tasting awards while being promoted as a lively, mixable Cognac.

Palate profile

Producer

Martell was founded in 1715 in the town of Cognac by Jean Martell, a merchant from Jersey who set up a trading house on the banks of the Charente. After his death in 1753, his widow Rachel Martell ran the Maison and ensured continuity, and the family expanded exports across Europe and beyond. The house acquired the Château de Chanteloup in the nineteenth century and became known for innovations in distillation and oak selection that shaped its elegant style. Martell introduced the iconic Cordon Bleu in the early twentieth century, a blend that helped establish its international prestige. Today Martell is part of the Pernod Ricard group while still operating its historic cellars and visitor experiences in Cognac, France.