Cognac

Question 1

Name six defined regions of production for Cognac.

Answer 1

Grande Champagne,
 Petite Champagne, 
Borderies,
 Fins Bois,
 Bons Bois,
 and Bois Ordinaires (Bois à Terroirs)

Question 2

What is the soil content in Cognac?

Answer 2

Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne have a high percentage of soft chalk, the preferred soil for Cognac, whereas the outlying appellations have higher proportions of hard limestone, sand and clay.

Question 3

How many times is Cognac distilled and in what type of still?

Answer 3

Cognac is distilled twice in a copper Charentais pot still.

The first distillation produces a spirit of 28-32% alcohol called the brouillis. Several batches of brouillis are returned to the boiler to be distilled again, to extract the “soul” of Cognac. The second distillation, or bonne chauffe, is divided into several parts: the tête (heads), coeur (heart), secondes (second cuts) and queue (tails). The distiller separates the heads, seconds and tails from the coeur, which makes up about 40% of the total volume of the brouillis and alone becomes Cognac.

Question 4

What forests is the oak for Cognac sourced from?

Answer 4

Limousin and Tronçais

Question 5

What does “VS” mean?

Answer 5

Very Special, or *** indicates at least two years in cask

Question 6

What does “VSOP” mean?

Answer 6

“Very Special, or Superior, Old Pale”, indicates at least four years in cask

Question 7

What does “XO” mean?

Answer 7

“XO” indicates at least six years in cask; although, XO Cognacs will be aged for at least fifteen or twenty years prior to release.

Question 8

Is Cognac made up of a single vintage?

Answer 8

No, as Cognac is often a blend of vintages, the above designations refer to the age of the youngest eau-de-vie in the blend. Vintage Cognacs, while now legal, are rare.

Question 9

Can Cognacs be labled under individual regions?

Answer 9

Yes, Cognac may be labeled under an individual region, such as Grande Champagne, provided 100% of the eau-de-vie originated in the named area. Fine Champagne Cognac is distilled entirely from wines produced in the Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne regions, with Grande Champagne composing at least 50% of the blend.