Cognac is a spirit (40%ABV) made by fermentation and distillation of wine. Bearing the COGNAC label requires at least three specific conditions; selected grape varieties should be used; it has  to be a product of double distillation; and the origin of the grapes have to be the Cognac area.

Cognac is made around COGNAC city and in the departments of Charente and Charente Maritime (Poitou-Charente).
Several grape varieties are used, but the most common types are Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Folle Blanche and Semillon.

The grapes are pressed immediately after harvesting, and fermented within 5-7 days, to become a sour, hazy wine. This wine is primary distilled (Première chauffe) according to the Alembic method. This first spirit is a brandy of about 30% ABV. After the second distillation which results in a 70%ABV brandy (called Bonne Chauffe), water is added.

This spirit is matured at oak casks from the Limousin area. Cognac is made of a blend of different wines of different age. Age is the maturing time on oak, and the labelled age always is the youngest Cognac used. Once bottled the aging stops.

Cognacs appear on the market under different markers;

VS sometimes called *** has a minimum aging of 2 years.

VSOP a minimal aging of 4 years.

Extra, XO or Napoleon a minimal aging of 6 years.

Of course there is a difference in age between the different brands offered.

The main Cognac firms usually work with blended Cognacs of different ages. The labelling depends on the type of blend. Long aging gives a more matured and smoother taste and a deep brown yellow colour, due to the cask. As new spirit doesn’t have any colour sometimes caramel is used to get a deeper colour and a smoother taste to suggest longer aging.

We present you a collection of Cognacs, some young, simple and honest; some very exclusive with a very long maturation.

Click here for our beautiful assortment of fantastic COGNACS