At the Grey Goose HQ a Le Logis, in the heart of the Cognac region’s rolling countryside, their marketing team are laid back and friendly. They don’t need to strain. They have a secret weapon: François Thibault. He’s an impish man, immaculately turned out in a blue tailored suit with silk kerchief in his top pocket, a crisp white shirt, brown brogues, designer glasses, a quality watch and a silver Grey Goose lapel pin. It’s clear he enjoys attention to detail.

Give Alan Kingsbury a bottle of French regional wine and he starts to feel hungry… Give him two and the cooking really begins.