Cognac is made primarily from Ugni Blanc grapes, which are fermented into a thin, acidic white wine and then double-distilled in copper pot stills
Cognac
Cognac is a prestigious French brandy made from distilled white wine and aged in oak barrels. It must come from the Cognac region of France and follow strict Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) guidelines to bear the name.
Origin: Cognac production dates back to the 17th century, when Dutch traders began distilling local wines for preservation during shipping. The spirit evolved into a refined aged brandy, and the town of Cognac, in the Charente region, became its epicentre.
Production:
Cognac is made primarily from Ugni Blanc grapes, which are fermented into a thin, acidic white wine and then double-distilled in copper pot stills (called alambic charentais). The resulting eau-de-vie is aged in Limousin or Tronçais oak barrels for a minimum of two years, although many are matured far longer.
Age Classifications:
VS (Very Special): Aged at least 2 years
VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale): Aged at least 4 years
XO (Extra Old): Aged at least 10 years (as of 2018)
Hors d’âge: Often used for cognacs aged far beyond XO standards
Flavor Profile: Cognac is known for its elegant complexity, with notes of dried fruit, vanilla, spice, floral tones, oak, toffee, and leather. Older cognacs develop richer nut, cigar box, and rancio characteristics (a prized oxidised flavour from long aging).
Cultural Note: Cognac is often enjoyed neat in a tulip glass or snifter. Iconic houses like Hennessy, Rémy Martin, Martell, and Courvoisier have turned Cognac into a global luxury symbol, particularly in Europe, China, and North America.