Grande Champagne

Grande Champagne, the premier cru of the Cognac region in France, is revered as the heart of cognac production, spanning 13,000 hectares of chalky, limestone-rich soils south of Cognac town. Its unique terroir—well-drained and sun-soaked—yields Ugni Blanc grapes with exceptional acidity and finesse, producing eaux-de-vie renowned for their floral elegance, subtle fruit notes like apricot, and remarkable aging potential. Houses like Delamain and De Luze source heavily from Grande Champagne, crafting blends or single-cru cognacs—often labeled “1er Cru”—that shine in XO and Hors d’Age expressions after decades in Limousin oak. While it’s just one-sixth of Cognac’s vineyard area, its prestige and depth make it the gold standard, coveted by connoisseurs for its refined, long-lasting complexity.