What Is Cognac?
Cognac is a luxurious French brandy crafted exclusively in the Cognac region of southwestern France, a designated Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) spanning the Charente and Charente-Maritime departments. Made primarily from Ugni Blanc grapes—alongside smaller amounts of Folle Blanche and Colombard—it begins as a dry, acidic white wine that’s double-distilled in traditional copper pot stills to produce a clear eau-de-vie, or “water of life.” This spirit is then aged in French oak barrels, typically from Limousin or Tronçais forests, for a minimum of two years, though many mature far longer, developing rich flavors like fruit, vanilla, spice, and rancio over time. Governed by strict regulations from the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC), it’s classified by age—VS (2+ years), VSOP (4+ years), XO (10+ years)—and often hails from one of six crus, with Grande Champagne being the most prestigious. Whether sipped neat, mixed in cocktails, or paired with food, Cognac’s elegance and depth make it a global symbol of refinement, born from centuries of tradition.
