The distillery of Cogny

The artisanal distillation of grape marc in local cooperative workshops is a practice on the verge of disappearing. This method produced the renowned Marc de Bourgogne, a spirit also known as eau de vie, gnôle, or goutte. Until after World War II, nearly every village in Beaujolais had its own distillery. However, efforts to combat alcoholism, dietary changes, and the fight against drunk driving led to a decline in the consumption of strong spirits. Cooperative distilleries were hit hard and closed one after another, supplanted by industrial distilleries. The distilleries of Cogny and its twin in Denicé, which resisted longer than others, were put into dormancy in 2009. This book recounts the history of this practice, representative of life in the Beaujolais region throughout the last century, in the commune of Cogny. Passionate about history and genealogy, Robert Arnaud-Coffin is descended from at least eleven generations of men who continuously worked the land and vines in Cogny. He continues the tradition by cultivating the family property and Gamay, the sole grape variety of Beaujolais. Involved in agricultural organizations and his community, serving as councilor and then mayor, he wrote a historical chronicle for eighteen years, which sparked his passion for local history.