Cognac is made mostly from grapes called ugni blanc. Ugni blanc gives us acidic wine that is low in alcohol – between 7.5 and 10.5%. So this is used to only create cognac, not to drink it. There are other varieties that are used named folle blanche and colombard. But about 98% of cognac is ugni blanc.
From November to December, the grapevine lies dormant. Around March, the vine begins its bud breaking. By mid-May, the first leaves appear. Mid-June marks about 100 days before the harvest. Mid-August is 45 days before the harvest – the grapes are getting bigger. They become translucent and they gorge with sugar. And the harvest starts at the end of September or early October.