Cognac

Question 1

What are the Geographical Designations of Cognac AOP?

Answer 1

Grande Champagne

Petite Champagne

Borderies

Fins Bois

Bons Bois

Bois Ordinaires (Bois à Terroirs)

Question 2

What are the permitted grapes in Cognac AOP?

Answer 2

Colombard

Folle Blanche

Montils

Sémillon

Ugni Blanc

plus a max. 10% Folignan

Question 3

What is Folignan?

Answer 3

Folle Blanche X Ugni Blanc

Permitted in Cognac AOP up to 10%

Question 4

What are the Age Designations for Cognac AOP?

Answer 4

VS / *** / de Luxe / Grand Choix / Surchoix: min. 2 years old

Supérieur: min. 3 years old

VO / VSOP / Réserve: min. 4 years old

VVSOP / Grande Réserve: min. 5 years old

XO / Napoléon / Extra / Royal / Très Vieux / Vieille Réserve: min. 6 years old

(As of 2018 “XO” will indicate Cognac aged for a min. 10 years – the original deadline of 2016 was protested to ensure consistency of stocks.)

Question 5

What are the soils of Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne?

Answer 5

Limestone and soft Chalk

Question 6

What is the soil of Fin Bois?

Answer 6

“Groies” - Hard red limestone

Question 7

What is the soil of Bon Bois and Bois Ordinaires?

Answer 7

Sand

Question 8

What is Brouillis?

Answer 8

First distillation of Cognac

Creates a spirit of 28-32% ABV

Question 9

What is Bonne Chauffe?

Answer 9

Second distillation of Cognac

Must not exceed 72.4% ABV

Question 10

What are the parts of the Bonne Chauffe?

Answer 10

Tête (Head)

Couer (Heart, about 40% of the distillation

Secondes (Second Cuts)

Queue (Tails)

Question 11

What is the minimum aging for Cognac AOP?

Answer 11

2 years

from April 1 of the year following the harvest

Question 12

For a Cognac labelled with a sub zone, what percentage must come from that sub zone?

Answer 12

100%

Question 13

What is Fine Champagne?

Answer 13

Label term designating a minimum of 51% from grande Champagne and the remainder coming from Petite Champagne

Question 14

What does “Fine” mean on a bottle of Cognac?

Answer 14

Nothing. May be added to Grande Champagne or Petite Champagne, but does not indicate any additional requirements.

Not to be confused with “Fine Champagne”

Question 15

What is the maximum vine spacing for Cognac?

Answer 15

3.5m between rows. Think tractors

Question 16

What is the minimum planting density for Cognac?

Answer 16

2,200 vines per hectare

Question 17

What is the ABV range for the base wine of Cognac?

Answer 17

7-12%

Question 18

What is Esprit de Cognac?

Answer 18

The product of a third distillation from a Alambic Charentais.

Exclusively destined for the production of sparkling wines

80-85% ABV