https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognacen-USTelligent Community 13https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognacTue, 06 Jan 2026 22:48:11 GMT8277e151-5ba9-4335-93f0-6f497ffb8dc4:5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54eStacy Ladenburgerhttps://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac#commentsCurrent Revision posted to Expert Guides by Stacy Ladenburger on 1/6/2026 10:48:11 PM<br /> <div class="paywall-restricted"><div class="style_box"> Contents <ol> <li>Geography and Geology</li> <li>History</li> <li>Viticulture</li> <li>Vinification</li> <li>Distillation</li> <li>Aging</li> <li>Cognac and Cocktails</li> <li>Cognac Service</li> <li>Bibliography</li> </ol> </div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span>Cognac, a brandy that takes its name from the commune of Cognac, has much in common with French wine. Familiar characters mark its history, including the British, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and phylloxera. </span><span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The region is built on terroir, with six regions whose differing soils, aspects, and climates add complexity to the final product. What sets Cognac apart from wine is that it undergoes the process of distillation. Wine from Cognac is distilled twice in alembic Charentais pot stills, named after the Charente River, which is the heart of the Cognac region. Furthermore, unlike French wine, Cognac is almost exclusively an export product. Together, 4,300 winegrowers, 120 professional distillers, and 270 merchant firms work to produce a storied beverage that can be found throughout the world.</span><span></span></p> <p><a name="01"></a></p> Geography and Geology <div class="featured-aside-image"><img alt="The regions of Cognac" src="/resized-image/__size/4000x0/__key/communityserver-wikis-components-files/00-00-00-01-48/bnic-cognac.jpeg" /> The regions of Cognac (Credit: BNIC)</div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>Cognac is in southwest France, just north of Bordeaux. Like Bordeaux, Cognac has a maritime climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which provides moisture to aid in the long oak aging that gives Cognac its characteristic flavor. The heart of the region lies along the Charente River, which provides access to the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span>, &ldquo;</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT">cellars,</span></span><span class="None"><span>&rdquo; of the town of Cognac and historically was used to ship the spirit from the region. The river runs low in the summer, requiring flat-bottomed boats, but rainy winters cause it to run very high and even flood. In 1982, the flooding was so severe that the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span> were inundated, sending casks of brandy bobbing down the river.</span></span></p> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>The individual subregions of Cognac were mapped by geology professor Henri Coquand, who conducted the first scientific studies of any winegrowing region in the 1850s. Charentais by birth, he defined the chalky Coniacian, Santonian, and Campanian soils of the region that were noted for producing the best Cognacs. He and</span></span></p></div><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.restricted', { contentId: '5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54e' }); }); }); </script><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.displayPopup', { }); }); }); </script><div style="clear:both;"></div> <div style="font-size: 90%;">Tags: Preview</div> https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac/revision/70Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:19:55 GMT8277e151-5ba9-4335-93f0-6f497ffb8dc4:5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54eGuildSomm Adminhttps://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac#commentsRevision 70 posted to Expert Guides by GuildSomm Admin on 6/18/2024 3:19:55 PM<br /> <div class="paywall-restricted"><div class="style_box"> Contents <ol> <li>Geography and Geology</li> <li>History</li> <li>Viticulture</li> <li>Vinification</li> <li>Distillation</li> <li>Aging</li> <li>Cognac and Cocktails</li> <li>Cognac Service</li> <li>Bibliography</li> </ol> </div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span>Cognac, a brandy that takes its name from the commune of Cognac, has much in common with French wine. Familiar characters mark its history, including the British, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and phylloxera. </span><span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The region is built on terroir, with six regions whose differing soils, aspects, and climates add complexity to the final product. What sets Cognac apart from wine is that it undergoes the process of distillation. Wine from Cognac is distilled twice in alembic Charentais pot stills, named after the Charente River, which is the heart of the Cognac region. Furthermore, unlike French wine, Cognac is almost exclusively an export product. Together, 4,300 winegrowers, 120 professional distillers, and 270 merchant firms work to produce a storied beverage that can be found throughout the world.</span><span></span></p> <p><a name="01"></a></p> Geography and Geology <div class="featured-aside-image"><img alt="The regions of Cognac" src="/resized-image/__size/4000x0/__key/communityserver-wikis-components-files/00-00-00-01-48/bnic-cognac.jpeg" /> The regions of Cognac (Credit: BNIC)</div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>Cognac is in southwest France, just north of Bordeaux. Like Bordeaux, Cognac has a maritime climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which provides moisture to aid in the long oak aging that gives Cognac its characteristic flavor. The heart of the region lies along the Charente River, which provides access to the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span>, &ldquo;</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT">cellars,</span></span><span class="None"><span>&rdquo; of the town of Cognac and historically was used to ship the spirit from the region. The river runs low in the summer, requiring flat-bottomed boats, but rainy winters cause it to run very high and even flood. In 1982, the flooding was so severe that the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span> were inundated, sending casks of brandy bobbing down the river.</span></span></p> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>The individual subregions of Cognac were mapped by geology professor Henri Coquand, who conducted the first scientific studies of any winegrowing region in the 1850s. Charentais by birth, he defined the chalky Coniacian, Santonian, and Campanian soils of the region that were noted for producing the best Cognacs. He and</span></span></p></div><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.restricted', { contentId: '5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54e' }); }); }); </script><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.displayPopup', { }); }); }); </script><div style="clear:both;"></div> https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac/revision/69Mon, 04 Mar 2024 21:43:11 GMT8277e151-5ba9-4335-93f0-6f497ffb8dc4:5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54eStacy Ladenburgerhttps://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac#commentsRevision 69 posted to Expert Guides by Stacy Ladenburger on 3/4/2024 9:43:11 PM<br /> <div class="paywall-restricted"><div class="style_box"> Contents <ol> <li>Geography and Geology</li> <li>History</li> <li>Viticulture</li> <li>Vinification</li> <li>Distillation</li> <li>Aging</li> <li>Cognac and Cocktails</li> <li>Cognac Service</li> <li>Bibliography</li> </ol> </div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span>Cognac, a brandy that takes its name from the commune of Cognac, has much in common with French wine. Familiar characters mark its history, including the British, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and phylloxera. </span><span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The region is built on terroir, with six regions whose differing soils, aspects, and climates add complexity to the final product. What sets Cognac apart from wine is that it undergoes the process of distillation. Wine from Cognac is distilled twice in alembic Charentais pot stills, named after the Charente River, which is the heart of the Cognac region. Furthermore, unlike French wine, Cognac is almost exclusively an export product. Together, 4,300 winegrowers, 120 professional distillers, and 270 merchant firms work to produce a storied beverage that can be found throughout the world.</span><span></span></p> <p><a name="01"></a></p> Geography and Geology <div class="featured-aside-image"><img alt="The regions of Cognac" src="/resized-image/__size/4000x0/__key/communityserver-wikis-components-files/00-00-00-01-48/bnic-cognac.jpeg" /> The regions of Cognac (Credit: BNIC)</div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>Cognac is in southwest France, just north of Bordeaux. Like Bordeaux, Cognac has a maritime climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which provides moisture to aid in the long oak aging that gives Cognac its characteristic flavor. The heart of the region lies along the Charente River, which provides access to the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span>, &ldquo;</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT">cellars,</span></span><span class="None"><span>&rdquo; of the town of Cognac and historically was used to ship the spirit from the region. The river runs low in the summer, requiring flat-bottomed boats, but rainy winters cause it to run very high and even flood. In 1982, the flooding was so severe that the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span> were inundated, sending casks of brandy bobbing down the river.</span></span></p> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>The individual subregions of Cognac were mapped by geology professor Henri Coquand, who conducted the first scientific studies of any winegrowing region in the 1850s. Charentais by birth, he defined the chalky Coniacian, Santonian, and Campanian soils of the region that were noted for producing the best Cognacs. He and</span></span></p></div><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.restricted', { contentId: '5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54e' }); }); }); </script><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.displayPopup', { }); }); }); </script><div style="clear:both;"></div> https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac/revision/68Mon, 04 Mar 2024 21:37:27 GMT8277e151-5ba9-4335-93f0-6f497ffb8dc4:5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54eStacy Ladenburgerhttps://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac#commentsRevision 68 posted to Expert Guides by Stacy Ladenburger on 3/4/2024 9:37:27 PM<br /> <div class="paywall-restricted"><div class="style_box"> Contents <ol> <li>Geography and Geology</li> <li>History</li> <li>Viticulture</li> <li>Vinification</li> <li>Distillation</li> <li>Aging</li> <li>Cognac and Cocktails</li> <li>Cognac Service</li> <li>Bibliography</li> </ol> </div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span>Cognac, a brandy that takes its name from the commune of Cognac, has much in common with French wine. Familiar characters mark its history, including the British, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and phylloxera. </span><span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The region is built on terroir, with six regions whose differing soils, aspects, and climates add complexity to the final product. What sets Cognac apart from wine is that it undergoes the process of distillation. Wine from Cognac is distilled twice in alembic Charentais pot stills, named after the Charente River, which is the heart of the Cognac region. Furthermore, unlike French wine, Cognac is almost exclusively an export product. Together, 4,300 winegrowers, 120 professional distillers, and 270 merchant firms work to produce a storied beverage that can be found throughout the world.</span><span></span></p> <p><a name="01"></a></p> Geography and Geology <div class="featured-aside-image"><img class="image-bordered" alt="The regions of Cognac" src="/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-wikis-components-files/00-00-00-01-48/bnic-cognac.jpeg" /> The regions of Cognac (Credit: BNIC)</div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>Cognac is in southwest France, just north of Bordeaux. Like Bordeaux, Cognac has a maritime climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which provides moisture to aid in the long oak aging that gives Cognac its characteristic flavor. The heart of the region lies along the Charente River, which provides access to the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span>, &ldquo;</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT">cellars,</span></span><span class="None"><span>&rdquo; of the town of Cognac and historically was used to ship the spirit from the region. The river runs low in the summer, requiring flat-bottomed boats, but rainy winters cause it to run very high and even flood. In 1982, the flooding was so severe that the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span> were inundated, sending casks of brandy bobbing down the river.</span></span></p> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>The individual subregions of Cognac were mapped by geology professor Henri Coquand, who conducted the first scientific studies of any winegrowing region in the 1850s. Charentais by birth, he defined the chalky Coniacian, Santonian, and Campanian soils of the region that were noted for producing the best Cognacs. He and</span></span></p></div><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.restricted', { contentId: '5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54e' }); }); }); </script><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.displayPopup', { }); }); }); </script><div style="clear:both;"></div> https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac/revision/67Tue, 14 Nov 2023 17:31:19 GMT8277e151-5ba9-4335-93f0-6f497ffb8dc4:5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54eJonathan Eichholzhttps://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac#commentsRevision 67 posted to Expert Guides by Jonathan Eichholz on 11/14/2023 5:31:19 PM<br /> <div class="paywall-restricted"><div class="style_box"> Contents <ol> <li>Geography and Geology</li> <li>History</li> <li>Viticulture</li> <li>Vinification</li> <li>Distillation</li> <li>Aging</li> <li>Cognac and Cocktails</li> <li>Cognac Service</li> <li>Bibliography</li> </ol> </div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span>Cognac, a brandy that takes its name from the commune of Cognac, has much in common with French wine. Familiar characters mark its history, including the British, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and phylloxera. </span><span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The region is built on terroir, with six regions whose differing soils, aspects, and climates add complexity to the final product. What sets Cognac apart from wine is that it undergoes the process of distillation. Wine from Cognac is distilled twice in alembic Charentais pot stills, named after the Charente River, which is the heart of the Cognac region. Furthermore, unlike French wine, Cognac is almost exclusively an export product. Together, 4,300 winegrowers, 120 professional distillers, and 270 merchant firms work to produce a storied beverage that can be found throughout the world.</span><span></span></p> <p><a name="01"></a></p> Geography and Geology <div class="featured-aside-image"><img class="image-bordered" alt="The regions of Cognac" src="/resized-image/__size/0x1600/__key/communityserver-wikis-components-files/00-00-00-01-48/carte_5F00_crus_5F00_grandes_5F00_moyennes_5F00_communes_5F00_juin_5F00_2019_5F00_bd_2D00_01.jpg" /> The regions of Cognac (Credit: BNIC)</div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>Cognac is in southwest France, just north of Bordeaux. Like Bordeaux, Cognac has a maritime climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which provides moisture to aid in the long oak aging that gives Cognac its characteristic flavor. The heart of the region lies along the Charente River, which provides access to the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span>, &ldquo;</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT">cellars,</span></span><span class="None"><span>&rdquo; of the town of Cognac and historically was used to ship the spirit from the region. The river runs low in the summer, requiring flat-bottomed boats, but rainy winters cause it to run very high and even flood. In 1982, the flooding was so severe that the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span> were inundated, sending casks of brandy bobbing down the river.</span></span></p> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>The individual subregions of Cognac were mapped by geology professor Henri Coquand, who conducted the first scientific studies of any winegrowing region in the 1850s. Charentais by birth, he defined the chalky Coniacian, Santonian, and Campanian soils of the region that were noted for producing the best Cognacs. He and</span></span></p></div><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.restricted', { contentId: '5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54e' }); }); }); </script><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.displayPopup', { }); }); }); </script><div style="clear:both;"></div> https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac/revision/66Fri, 07 Apr 2023 19:20:00 GMT8277e151-5ba9-4335-93f0-6f497ffb8dc4:5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54eJonathan Eichholzhttps://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac#commentsRevision 66 posted to Expert Guides by Jonathan Eichholz on 4/7/2023 7:20:00 PM<br /> <div class="paywall-restricted"><div class="style_box"> Contents <ol> <li>Geography and Geology</li> <li>History</li> <li>Viticulture</li> <li>Vinification</li> <li>Distillation</li> <li>Aging</li> <li>Cognac and Cocktails</li> <li>Cognac Service</li> <li>Bibliography</li> </ol> </div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span>Cognac, a brandy that takes its name from the commune of Cognac, has much in common with French wine. Familiar characters mark its history, including the British, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and phylloxera. </span><span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The region is built on terroir, with six regions whose differing soils, aspects, and climates add complexity to the final product. What sets Cognac apart from wine is that it undergoes the process of distillation. Wine from Cognac is distilled twice in alembic Charentais pot stills, named after the Charente River, which is the heart of the Cognac region. Furthermore, unlike French wine, Cognac is almost exclusively an export product. Together, 4,300 winegrowers, 120 professional distillers, and 270 merchant firms work to produce a storied beverage that can be found throughout the world.</span><span></span></p> <p><a name="01"></a></p> Geography and Geology <div class="featured-aside-image"><img class="image-bordered" alt="The regions of Cognac" src="/resized-image/__size/0x1600/__key/communityserver-wikis-components-files/00-00-00-01-48/carte_5F00_crus_5F00_grandes_5F00_moyennes_5F00_communes_5F00_juin_5F00_2019_5F00_bd_2D00_01.jpg" /> The regions of Cognac (Credit: BNIC)</div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>Cognac is in southwest France, just north of Bordeaux. Like Bordeaux, Cognac has a maritime climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which provides moisture to aid in the long oak aging that gives Cognac its characteristic flavor. The heart of the region lies along the Charente River, which provides access to the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span>, &ldquo;</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT">cellars,</span></span><span class="None"><span>&rdquo; of the town of Cognac and historically was used to ship the spirit from the region. The river runs low in the summer, requiring flat-bottomed boats, but rainy winters cause it to run very high and even flood. In 1982, the flooding was so severe that the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span> were inundated, sending casks of brandy bobbing down the river.</span></span></p> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>The individual subregions of Cognac were mapped by geology professor Henri Coquand, who conducted the first scientific studies of any winegrowing region in the 1850s. Charentais by birth, he defined the chalky Coniacian, Santonian, and Campanian soils of the region that were noted for producing the best Cognacs. He and</span></span></p></div><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.restricted', { contentId: '5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54e' }); }); }); </script><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.displayPopup', { }); }); }); </script><div style="clear:both;"></div> https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac/revision/65Thu, 27 Oct 2022 20:11:15 GMT8277e151-5ba9-4335-93f0-6f497ffb8dc4:5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54eStacy Ladenburgerhttps://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac#commentsRevision 65 posted to Expert Guides by Stacy Ladenburger on 10/27/2022 8:11:15 PM<br /> <div class="paywall-restricted"><div class="style_box"> Contents <ol> <li>Geography and Geology</li> <li>History</li> <li>Viticulture</li> <li>Vinification</li> <li>Distillation</li> <li>Aging</li> <li>Cognac and Cocktails</li> <li>Cognac Service</li> <li>Bibliography</li> </ol> </div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span>Cognac, a brandy that takes its name from the commune of Cognac, has much in common with French wine. Familiar characters mark its history, including the British, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and phylloxera. </span><span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The region is built on terroir, with six regions whose differing soils, aspects, and climates add complexity to the final product. What sets Cognac apart from wine is that it undergoes the process of distillation. Wine from Cognac is distilled twice in alembic Charentais pot stills, named after the Charente River, which is the heart of the Cognac region. Furthermore, unlike French wine, Cognac is almost exclusively an export product. Together, 4,300 winegrowers, 120 professional distillers, and 270 merchant firms work to produce a storied beverage that can be found throughout the world.</span><span></span></p> <p><a name="01"></a></p> Geography and Geology <div class="featured-aside-image"><img class="image-bordered" alt="The regions of Cognac" src="/resized-image/__size/0x1600/__key/communityserver-wikis-components-files/00-00-00-01-48/carte_5F00_crus_5F00_grandes_5F00_moyennes_5F00_communes_5F00_juin_5F00_2019_5F00_bd_2D00_01.jpg" /> The regions of Cognac (Credit: BNIC)</div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>Cognac is in southwest France, just north of Bordeaux. Like Bordeaux, Cognac has a maritime climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which provides moisture to aid in the long oak aging that gives Cognac its characteristic flavor. The heart of the region lies along the Charente River, which provides access to the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span>, &ldquo;</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT">cellars,</span></span><span class="None"><span>&rdquo; of the town of Cognac and historically was used to ship the spirit from the region. The river runs low in the summer, requiring flat-bottomed boats, but rainy winters cause it to run very high and even flood. In 1982, the flooding was so severe that the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span> were inundated, sending casks of brandy bobbing down the river.</span></span></p> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>The individual subregions of Cognac were mapped by geology professor Henri Coquand, who conducted the first scientific studies of any winegrowing region in the 1850s. Charentais by birth, he defined the chalky Coniacian, Santonian, and Campanian soils of the region that were noted for producing the best Cognacs. He and</span></span></p></div><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.restricted', { contentId: '5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54e' }); }); }); </script><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.displayPopup', { }); }); }); </script><div style="clear:both;"></div> https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac/revision/64Tue, 10 May 2022 01:13:25 GMT8277e151-5ba9-4335-93f0-6f497ffb8dc4:5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54eSandra Banhttps://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac#commentsRevision 64 posted to Expert Guides by Sandra Ban on 5/10/2022 1:13:25 AM<br /> <div class="paywall-restricted"><div class="style_box"> Contents <ol> <li>Geography and Geology</li> <li>History</li> <li>Viticulture</li> <li>Vinification</li> <li>Distillation</li> <li>Aging</li> <li>Cognac and Cocktails</li> <li>Cognac Service</li> <li>Bibliography</li> </ol> </div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span>Cognac, a brandy that takes its name from the commune of Cognac, has much in common with French wine. Familiar characters mark its history, including the British, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and phylloxera. </span><span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The region is built on terroir, with six regions whose differing soils, aspects, and climates add complexity to the final product. What sets Cognac apart from wine is that it undergoes the process of distillation. Wine from Cognac is distilled twice in alembic Charentais pot stills, named after the Charente River, which is the heart of the Cognac region. Furthermore, unlike French wine, Cognac is almost exclusively an export product. Together, 4,300 winegrowers, 120 professional distillers, and 270 merchant firms work to produce a storied beverage that can be found throughout the world.</span><span></span></p> <p><a name="01"></a></p> Geography and Geology <div class="featured-aside-image"><img class="image-bordered" alt="The regions of Cognac" src="/resized-image/__size/0x1600/__key/communityserver-wikis-components-files/00-00-00-01-48/carte_5F00_crus_5F00_grandes_5F00_moyennes_5F00_communes_5F00_juin_5F00_2019_5F00_bd_2D00_01.jpg" /> The regions of Cognac (Credit: BNIC)</div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>Cognac is in southwest France, just north of Bordeaux. Like Bordeaux, Cognac has a maritime climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which provides moisture to aid in the long oak aging that gives Cognac its characteristic flavor. The heart of the region lies along the Charente River, which provides access to the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span>, &ldquo;</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT">cellars,</span></span><span class="None"><span>&rdquo; of the town of Cognac and historically was used to ship the spirit from the region. The river runs low in the summer, requiring flat-bottomed boats, but rainy winters cause it to run very high and even flood. In 1982, the flooding was so severe that the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span> were inundated, sending casks of brandy bobbing down the river.</span></span></p> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>The individual subregions of Cognac were mapped by geology professor Henri Coquand, who conducted the first scientific studies of any winegrowing region in the 1850s. Charentais by birth, he defined the chalky Coniacian, Santonian, and Campanian soils of the region that were noted for producing the best Cognacs. He and</span></span></p></div><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.restricted', { contentId: '5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54e' }); }); }); </script><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.displayPopup', { }); }); }); </script><div style="clear:both;"></div> https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac/revision/63Wed, 04 May 2022 21:16:28 GMT8277e151-5ba9-4335-93f0-6f497ffb8dc4:5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54eStacy Ladenburgerhttps://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac#commentsRevision 63 posted to Expert Guides by Stacy Ladenburger on 5/4/2022 9:16:28 PM<br /> <div class="paywall-restricted"><div class="style_box"> Contents <ol> <li>Geography and Geology</li> <li>History</li> <li>Viticulture</li> <li>Vinification</li> <li>Distillation</li> <li>Aging</li> <li>Cognac and Cocktails</li> <li>Cognac Service</li> <li>Bibliography</li> </ol> </div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span>Cognac, a brandy that takes its name from the commune of Cognac, has much in common with French wine. Familiar characters mark its history, including the British, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and phylloxera. </span><span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The region is built on terroir, with six regions whose differing soils, aspects, and climates add complexity to the final product. What sets Cognac apart from wine is that it undergoes the process of distillation. Wine from Cognac is distilled twice in alembic Charentais pot stills, named after the Charente River, which is the heart of the Cognac region. Furthermore, unlike French wine, Cognac is almost exclusively an export product. Together, 4,300 winegrowers, 120 professional distillers, and 270 merchant firms work to produce a storied beverage that can be found throughout the world.</span><span></span></p> <p><a name="01"></a></p> Geography and Geology <div class="featured-aside-image"><img class="image-bordered" alt="The regions of Cognac" src="/resized-image/__size/0x1600/__key/communityserver-wikis-components-files/00-00-00-01-48/carte_5F00_crus_5F00_grandes_5F00_moyennes_5F00_communes_5F00_juin_5F00_2019_5F00_bd_2D00_01.jpg" /> The regions of Cognac (Credit: BNIC)</div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>Cognac is in southwest France, just north of Bordeaux. Like Bordeaux, Cognac has a maritime climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which provides moisture to aid in the long oak aging that gives Cognac its characteristic flavor. The heart of the region lies along the Charente River, which provides access to the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span>, &ldquo;</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT">cellars,</span></span><span class="None"><span>&rdquo; of the town of Cognac and historically was used to ship the spirit from the region. The river runs low in the summer, requiring flat-bottomed boats, but rainy winters cause it to run very high and even flood. In 1982, the flooding was so severe that the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span> were inundated, sending casks of brandy bobbing down the river.</span></span></p> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>The individual subregions of Cognac were mapped by geology professor Henri Coquand, who conducted the first scientific studies of any winegrowing region in the 1850s. Charentais by birth, he defined the chalky Coniacian, Santonian, and Campanian soils of the region that were noted for producing the best Cognacs. He and</span></span></p></div><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.restricted', { contentId: '5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54e' }); }); }); </script><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.displayPopup', { }); }); }); </script><div style="clear:both;"></div> https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac/revision/62Wed, 04 May 2022 21:14:35 GMT8277e151-5ba9-4335-93f0-6f497ffb8dc4:5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54eStacy Ladenburgerhttps://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac#commentsRevision 62 posted to Expert Guides by Stacy Ladenburger on 5/4/2022 9:14:35 PM<br /> <div class="paywall-restricted"><div class="style_box"> Contents <ol> <li>Geography and Geology</li> <li>History</li> <li>Viticulture</li> <li>Vinification</li> <li>Distillation</li> <li>Aging</li> <li>Cognac and Cocktails</li> <li>Cognac Service</li> <li>Bibliography</li> </ol> </div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span>Cognac, a brandy that takes its name from the commune of Cognac, has much in common with French wine. Familiar characters mark its history, including the British, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and phylloxera. </span><span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The region is built on terroir, with six regions whose differing soils, aspects, and climates add complexity to the final product. What sets Cognac apart from wine is that it undergoes the process of distillation. Wine from Cognac is distilled twice in alembic Charentais pot stills, named after the Charente River, which is the heart of the Cognac region. Furthermore, unlike French wine, Cognac is almost exclusively an export product. Together, 4,300 winegrowers, 120 professional distillers, and 270 merchant firms work to produce a storied beverage that can be found throughout the world.</span><span></span></p> <p><a name="01"></a></p> Geography and Geology <div class="featured-aside-image"><img class="image-bordered" alt="The regions of Cognac" src="/resized-image/__size/0x1600/__key/communityserver-wikis-components-files/00-00-00-01-48/carte_5F00_crus_5F00_grandes_5F00_moyennes_5F00_communes_5F00_juin_5F00_2019_5F00_bd_2D00_01.jpg" /> The regions of Cognac (Credit: BNIC)</div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>Cognac is in southwest France, just north of Bordeaux. Like Bordeaux, Cognac has a maritime climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which provides moisture to aid in the long oak aging that gives Cognac its characteristic flavor. The heart of the region lies along the Charente River, which provides access to the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span>, &ldquo;</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT">cellars,</span></span><span class="None"><span>&rdquo; of the town of Cognac and historically was used to ship the spirit from the region. The river runs low in the summer, requiring flat-bottomed boats, but rainy winters cause it to run very high and even flood. In 1982, the flooding was so severe that the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span> were inundated, sending casks of brandy bobbing down the river.</span></span></p> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>The individual subregions of Cognac were mapped by geology professor Henri Coquand, who conducted the first scientific studies of any winegrowing region in the 1850s. Charentais by birth, he defined the chalky Coniacian, Santonian, and Campanian soils of the region that were noted for producing the best Cognacs. He and</span></span></p></div><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.restricted', { contentId: '5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54e' }); }); }); </script><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.displayPopup', { }); }); }); </script><div style="clear:both;"></div> https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac/revision/61Fri, 29 Apr 2022 23:48:02 GMT8277e151-5ba9-4335-93f0-6f497ffb8dc4:5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54eSandra Banhttps://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac#commentsRevision 61 posted to Expert Guides by Sandra Ban on 4/29/2022 11:48:02 PM<br /> <div class="paywall-restricted"><div class="style_box"> Contents <ol> <li>Geography and Geology</li> <li>History</li> <li>Viticulture</li> <li>Vinification</li> <li>Distillation</li> <li>Aging</li> <li>Cognac and Cocktails</li> <li>Cognac Service</li> <li>Bibliography</li> </ol> </div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span>Cognac, a brandy that takes its name from the commune of Cognac, has much in common with French wine. Familiar characters mark its history, including the British, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and phylloxera. </span><span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The region is built on terroir, with six regions whose differing soils, aspects, and climates add complexity to the final product. What sets Cognac apart from wine is that it undergoes the process of distillation. Wine from Cognac is distilled twice in alembic Charentais pot stills, named after the Charente River, which is the heart of the Cognac region. Furthermore, unlike French wine, Cognac is almost exclusively an export product. Together, 4,300 winegrowers, 120 professional distillers, and 270 merchant firms work to produce a storied beverage that can be found throughout the world.</span><span></span></p> <p><a name="01"></a></p> Geography and Geology <div class="featured-aside-image"><img class="image-bordered" alt="The regions of Cognac" src="/resized-image/__size/0x1600/__key/communityserver-wikis-components-files/00-00-00-01-48/carte_5F00_crus_5F00_grandes_5F00_moyennes_5F00_communes_5F00_juin_5F00_2019_5F00_bd_2D00_01.jpg" /> The regions of Cognac (Credit: BNIC)</div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>Cognac is in southwest France, just north of Bordeaux. Like Bordeaux, Cognac has a maritime climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which provides moisture to aid in the long oak aging that gives Cognac its characteristic flavor. The heart of the region lies along the Charente River, which provides access to the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span>, &ldquo;</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT">cellars,</span></span><span class="None"><span>&rdquo; of the town of Cognac and historically was used to ship the spirit from the region. The river runs low in the summer, requiring flat-bottomed boats, but rainy winters cause it to run very high and even flood. In 1982, the flooding was so severe that the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span> were inundated, sending casks of brandy bobbing down the river.</span></span></p> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>The individual subregions of Cognac were mapped by geology professor Henri Coquand, who conducted the first scientific studies of any winegrowing region in the 1850s. Charentais by birth, he defined the chalky Coniacian, Santonian, and Campanian soils of the region that were noted for producing the best Cognacs. He and</span></span></p></div><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.restricted', { contentId: '5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54e' }); }); }); </script><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.displayPopup', { }); }); }); </script><div style="clear:both;"></div> https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac/revision/60Fri, 29 Apr 2022 16:19:16 GMT8277e151-5ba9-4335-93f0-6f497ffb8dc4:5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54eGuildSomm Adminhttps://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac#commentsRevision 60 posted to Expert Guides by GuildSomm Admin on 4/29/2022 4:19:16 PM<br /> <div class="paywall-restricted"><div class="style_box"> Contents <ol> <li>Geography and Geology</li> <li>History</li> <li>Viticulture</li> <li>Vinification</li> <li>Distillation</li> <li>Aging</li> <li>Cognac and Cocktails</li> <li>Cognac Service</li> <li>Bibliography</li> </ol> </div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span>Cognac, a brandy that takes its name from the commune of Cognac, has much in common with French wine. Familiar characters mark its history, including the British, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and phylloxera. </span><span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The region is built on terroir, with six regions whose differing soils, aspects, and climates add complexity to the final product. What sets Cognac apart from wine is that it undergoes the process of distillation. Wine from Cognac is distilled twice in alembic Charentais pot stills, named after the Charente River, which is the heart of the Cognac region. Furthermore, unlike French wine, Cognac is almost exclusively an export product. Together, 4,300 winegrowers, 120 professional distillers, and 270 merchant firms work to produce a storied beverage that can be found throughout the world.</span><span></span></p> <p><a name="01"></a></p> Geography and Geology <div class="featured-aside-image"><img class="image-bordered" alt="The regions of Cognac" src="/resized-image/__size/0x1600/__key/communityserver-wikis-components-files/00-00-00-01-48/carte_5F00_crus_5F00_grandes_5F00_moyennes_5F00_communes_5F00_juin_5F00_2019_5F00_bd_2D00_01.jpg" /> The regions of Cognac (Credit: BNIC)</div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>Cognac is in southwest France, just north of Bordeaux. Like Bordeaux, Cognac has a maritime climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which provides moisture to aid in the long oak aging that gives Cognac its characteristic flavor. The heart of the region lies along the Charente River, which provides access to the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span>, &ldquo;</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT">cellars,</span></span><span class="None"><span>&rdquo; of the town of Cognac and historically was used to ship the spirit from the region. The river runs low in the summer, requiring flat-bottomed boats, but rainy winters cause it to run very high and even flood. In 1982, the flooding was so severe that the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span> were inundated, sending casks of brandy bobbing down the river.</span></span></p> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>The individual subregions of Cognac were mapped by geology professor Henri Coquand, who conducted the first scientific studies of any winegrowing region in the 1850s. Charentais by birth, he defined the chalky Coniacian, Santonian, and Campanian soils of the region that were noted for producing the best Cognacs. He and</span></span></p></div><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.restricted', { contentId: '5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54e' }); }); }); </script><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.displayPopup', { }); }); }); </script><div style="clear:both;"></div> https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac/revision/59Fri, 29 Apr 2022 16:10:30 GMT8277e151-5ba9-4335-93f0-6f497ffb8dc4:5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54eStacy Ladenburgerhttps://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac#commentsRevision 59 posted to Expert Guides by Stacy Ladenburger on 4/29/2022 4:10:30 PM<br /> <div class="paywall-restricted"><div class="style_box"> Contents <ol> <li>Geography and Geology</li> <li>History</li> <li>Viticulture</li> <li>Vinification</li> <li>Distillation</li> <li>Aging</li> <li>Cognac and Cocktails</li> <li>Cognac Service</li> <li>Bibliography</li> </ol> </div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span>Cognac, a brandy that takes its name from the commune of Cognac, has much in common with French wine. Familiar characters mark its history, including the British, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and phylloxera. </span><span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The region is built on terroir, with six regions whose differing soils, aspects, and climates add complexity to the final product. What sets Cognac apart from wine is that it undergoes the process of distillation. Wine from Cognac is distilled twice in alembic Charentais pot stills, named after the Charente River, which is the heart of the Cognac region. Furthermore, unlike French wine, Cognac is almost exclusively an export product. Together, 4,300 winegrowers, 120 professional distillers, and 270 merchant firms work to produce a storied beverage that can be found throughout the world.</span><span></span></p> <p><a name="01"></a></p> Geography and Geology <div class="featured-aside-image"><img class="image-bordered" alt="The regions of Cognac" src="/resized-image/__size/0x1600/__key/communityserver-wikis-components-files/00-00-00-01-48/carte_5F00_crus_5F00_grandes_5F00_moyennes_5F00_communes_5F00_juin_5F00_2019_5F00_bd_2D00_01.jpg" /> The regions of Cognac (Credit: BNIC)</div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>Cognac is in southwest France, just north of Bordeaux. Like Bordeaux, Cognac has a maritime climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which provides moisture to aid in the long oak aging that gives Cognac its characteristic flavor. The heart of the region lies along the Charente River, which provides access to the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span>, &ldquo;</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT">cellars,</span></span><span class="None"><span>&rdquo; of the town of Cognac and historically was used to ship the spirit from the region. The river runs low in the summer, requiring flat-bottomed boats, but rainy winters cause it to run very high and even flood. In 1982, the flooding was so severe that the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span> were inundated, sending casks of brandy bobbing down the river.</span></span></p> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>The individual subregions of Cognac were mapped by geology professor Henri Coquand, who conducted the first scientific studies of any winegrowing region in the 1850s. Charentais by birth, he defined the chalky Coniacian, Santonian, and Campanian soils of the region that were noted for producing the best Cognacs. He and</span></span></p></div><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.restricted', { contentId: '5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54e' }); }); }); </script><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.displayPopup', { }); }); }); </script><div style="clear:both;"></div> https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac/revision/58Fri, 29 Apr 2022 05:45:30 GMT8277e151-5ba9-4335-93f0-6f497ffb8dc4:5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54eSandra Banhttps://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac#commentsRevision 58 posted to Expert Guides by Sandra Ban on 4/29/2022 5:45:30 AM<br /> <div class="paywall-restricted"><div class="style_box"> Contents <ol> <li>Geography and Geology</li> <li>History</li> <li>Viticulture</li> <li>Vinification</li> <li>Distillation</li> <li>Aging</li> <li>Cognac and Cocktails</li> <li>Cognac Service</li> <li>Bibliography</li> </ol> </div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span>Cognac, a brandy that takes its name from the commune of Cognac, has much in common with French wine. Familiar characters mark its history, including the British, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and phylloxera. </span><span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The region is built on terroir, with six regions whose differing soils, aspects, and climates add complexity to the final product. What sets Cognac apart from wine is that it undergoes the process of distillation. Wine from Cognac is distilled twice in alembic Charentais pot stills, named after the Charente River, which is the heart of the Cognac region. Furthermore, unlike French wine, Cognac is almost exclusively an export product. Together, 4,300 winegrowers, 120 professional distillers, and 270 merchant firms work to produce a storied beverage that can be found throughout the world.</span><span></span></p> <p><a name="01"></a></p> Geography and Geology <div class="featured-aside-image"><img class="image-bordered" alt="The regions of Cognac" src="/resized-image/__size/0x1600/__key/communityserver-wikis-components-files/00-00-00-01-48/carte_5F00_crus_5F00_grandes_5F00_moyennes_5F00_communes_5F00_juin_5F00_2019_5F00_bd_2D00_01.jpg" /> The regions of Cognac (Credit: BNIC)</div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>Cognac is in southwest France, just north of Bordeaux. Like Bordeaux, Cognac has a maritime climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which provides moisture to aid in the long oak aging that gives Cognac its characteristic flavor. The heart of the region lies along the Charente River, which provides access to the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span>, &ldquo;</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT">cellars,</span></span><span class="None"><span>&rdquo; of the town of Cognac and historically was used to ship the spirit from the region. The river runs low in the summer, requiring flat-bottomed boats, but rainy winters cause it to run very high and even flood. In 1982, the flooding was so severe that the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span> were inundated, sending casks of brandy bobbing down the river.</span></span></p> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>The individual subregions of Cognac were mapped by geology professor Henri Coquand, who conducted the first scientific studies of any winegrowing region in the 1850s. Charentais by birth, he defined the chalky Coniacian, Santonian, and Campanian soils of the region that were noted for producing the best Cognacs. He and</span></span></p></div><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.restricted', { contentId: '5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54e' }); }); }); </script><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.displayPopup', { }); }); }); </script><div style="clear:both;"></div> https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac/revision/57Fri, 29 Apr 2022 05:23:47 GMT8277e151-5ba9-4335-93f0-6f497ffb8dc4:5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54eSandra Banhttps://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac#commentsRevision 57 posted to Expert Guides by Sandra Ban on 4/29/2022 5:23:47 AM<br /> <div class="paywall-restricted"><div class="style_box"> Contents <ol> <li>Geography and Geology</li> <li>History</li> <li>Viticulture</li> <li>Vinification</li> <li>Distillation</li> <li>Aging</li> <li>Cognac and Cocktails</li> <li>Cognac Service</li> <li>Bibliography</li> </ol> </div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span>Cognac, a brandy that takes its name from the commune of Cognac, has much in common with French wine. Familiar characters mark its history, including the British, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and phylloxera. </span><span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The region is built on terroir, with six regions whose differing soils, aspects, and climates add complexity to the final product. What sets Cognac apart from wine is that it undergoes the process of distillation. Wine from Cognac is distilled twice in alembic Charentais pot stills, named after the Charente River, which is the heart of the Cognac region. Furthermore, unlike French wine, Cognac is almost exclusively an export product. Together, 4,300 winegrowers, 120 professional distillers, and 270 merchant firms work to produce a storied beverage that can be found throughout the world.</span><span></span></p> <p><a name="01"></a></p> Geography and Geology <div class="featured-aside-image"><img class="image-bordered" alt="The regions of Cognac" src="/resized-image/__size/0x1600/__key/communityserver-wikis-components-files/00-00-00-01-48/carte_5F00_crus_5F00_grandes_5F00_moyennes_5F00_communes_5F00_juin_5F00_2019_5F00_bd_2D00_01.jpg" /> The regions of Cognac (Credit: BNIC)</div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>Cognac is in southwest France, just north of Bordeaux. Like Bordeaux, Cognac has a maritime climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which provides moisture to aid in the long oak aging that gives Cognac its characteristic flavor. The heart of the region lies along the Charente River, which provides access to the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span>, &ldquo;</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT">cellars,</span></span><span class="None"><span>&rdquo; of the town of Cognac and historically was used to ship the spirit from the region. The river runs low in the summer, requiring flat-bottomed boats, but rainy winters cause it to run very high and even flood. In 1982, the flooding was so severe that the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span> were inundated, sending casks of brandy bobbing down the river.</span></span></p> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>The individual subregions of Cognac were mapped by geology professor Henri Coquand, who conducted the first scientific studies of any winegrowing region in the 1850s. Charentais by birth, he defined the chalky Coniacian, Santonian, and Campanian soils of the region that were noted for producing the best Cognacs. He and</span></span></p></div><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.restricted', { contentId: '5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54e' }); }); }); </script><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.displayPopup', { }); }); }); </script><div style="clear:both;"></div> https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac/revision/56Fri, 29 Apr 2022 03:46:10 GMT8277e151-5ba9-4335-93f0-6f497ffb8dc4:5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54eSandra Banhttps://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac#commentsRevision 56 posted to Expert Guides by Sandra Ban on 4/29/2022 3:46:10 AM<br /> <div class="paywall-restricted"><div class="style_box"> Contents <ol> <li>Geography and Geology</li> <li>History</li> <li>Viticulture</li> <li>Vinification</li> <li>Distillation</li> <li>Aging</li> <li>Cognac and Cocktails</li> <li>Cognac Service</li> <li>Bibliography</li> </ol> </div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span>Cognac, a brandy that takes its name from the commune of Cognac, has much in common with French wine. Familiar characters mark its history, including the British, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and phylloxera. </span><span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The region is built on terroir, with six regions whose differing soils, aspects, and climates add complexity to the final product. What sets Cognac apart from wine is that it undergoes the process of distillation. Wine from Cognac is distilled twice in alembic Charentais pot stills, named after the Charente River, which is the heart of the Cognac region. Furthermore, unlike French wine, Cognac is almost exclusively an export product. Together, 4,300 winegrowers, 120 professional distillers, and 270 merchant firms work to produce a storied beverage that can be found throughout the world.</span><span></span></p> <p><a name="01"></a></p> Geography and Geology <div class="featured-aside-image"><img class="image-bordered" alt="The regions of Cognac" src="/resized-image/__size/0x1600/__key/communityserver-wikis-components-files/00-00-00-01-48/carte_5F00_crus_5F00_grandes_5F00_moyennes_5F00_communes_5F00_juin_5F00_2019_5F00_bd_2D00_01.jpg" /> The regions of Cognac (Credit: BNIC)</div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>Cognac is in southwest France, just north of Bordeaux. Like Bordeaux, Cognac has a maritime climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which provides moisture to aid in the long oak aging that gives Cognac its characteristic flavor. The heart of the region lies along the Charente River, which provides access to the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span>, &ldquo;</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT">cellars,</span></span><span class="None"><span>&rdquo; of the town of Cognac and historically was used to ship the spirit from the region. The river runs low in the summer, requiring flat-bottomed boats, but rainy winters cause it to run very high and even flood. In 1982, the flooding was so severe that the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span> were inundated, sending casks of brandy bobbing down the river.</span></span></p> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>The individual subregions of Cognac were mapped by geology professor Henri Coquand, who conducted the first scientific studies of any winegrowing region in the 1850s. Charentais by birth, he defined the chalky Coniacian, Santonian, and Campanian soils of the region that were noted for producing the best Cognacs. He and</span></span></p></div><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.restricted', { contentId: '5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54e' }); }); }); </script><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.displayPopup', { }); }); }); </script><div style="clear:both;"></div> https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac/revision/55Thu, 28 Apr 2022 18:42:23 GMT8277e151-5ba9-4335-93f0-6f497ffb8dc4:5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54eKassandra McPhersonhttps://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac#commentsRevision 55 posted to Expert Guides by Kassandra McPherson on 4/28/2022 6:42:23 PM<br /> <div class="paywall-restricted"><div class="style_box"> Contents <ol> <li>Geography and Geology</li> <li>History</li> <li>Viticulture</li> <li>Vinification</li> <li>Distillation</li> <li>Aging</li> <li>Cognac and Cocktails</li> <li>Cognac Service</li> <li>Bibliography</li> </ol> </div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span>Cognac, a brandy that takes its name from the commune of Cognac, has much in common with French wine. Familiar characters mark its history, including the British, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and phylloxera. </span><span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The region is built on terroir, with six regions whose differing soils, aspects, and climates add complexity to the final product. What sets Cognac apart from wine is that it undergoes the process of distillation. Wine from Cognac is distilled twice in alembic Charentais pot stills, named after the Charente River, which is the heart of the Cognac region. Furthermore, unlike French wine, Cognac is almost exclusively an export product. Together, 4,300 winegrowers, 120 professional distillers, and 270 merchant firms work to produce a storied beverage that can be found throughout the world.</span><span></span></p> <p><a name="01"></a></p> Geography and Geology <div class="featured-aside-image"><img class="image-bordered" alt="The regions of Cognac" src="/resized-image/__size/0x1600/__key/communityserver-wikis-components-files/00-00-00-01-48/carte_5F00_crus_5F00_grandes_5F00_moyennes_5F00_communes_5F00_juin_5F00_2019_5F00_bd_2D00_01.jpg" /> The regions of Cognac (Credit: BNIC)</div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>Cognac is in southwest France, just north of Bordeaux. Like Bordeaux, Cognac has a maritime climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which provides moisture to aid in the long oak aging that gives Cognac its characteristic flavor. The heart of the region lies along the Charente River, which provides access to the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span>, or &ldquo;</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT">cellars,</span></span><span class="None"><span>&rdquo; of the town of Cognac and historically was used to shbip the spirit from the region. The river runs low in the summer, requiring flat-bottomed boats, but rainy winters cause it to run very high and even flood. In 1982, the flooding was so severe that the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span> were inundated, sending casks of brandy bobbing down the river.</span></span></p> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>The individual subregions of Cognac were mapped by geology professor Henri Coquand, who conducted the first scientific studies of any winegrowing region in the 1850s. Charentais by birth, he defined the chalky Coniacian, Santonian, and Campanian soils of the region that were noted for producing the best Cognacs. He</span></span></p></div><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.restricted', { contentId: '5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54e' }); }); }); </script><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.displayPopup', { }); }); }); </script><div style="clear:both;"></div> https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac/revision/54Thu, 28 Apr 2022 18:40:59 GMT8277e151-5ba9-4335-93f0-6f497ffb8dc4:5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54eKassandra McPhersonhttps://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac#commentsRevision 54 posted to Expert Guides by Kassandra McPherson on 4/28/2022 6:40:59 PM<br /> <div class="paywall-restricted"><div class="style_box"> Contents <ol> <li>Geography and Geology</li> <li>History</li> <li>Viticulture</li> <li>Vinification</li> <li>Distillation</li> <li>Aging</li> <li>Cognac and Cocktails</li> <li>Cognac Service</li> <li>Bibliography</li> </ol> </div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span>Cognac, a brandy that takes its name from the commune of Cognac, has much in common with French wine. Familiar characters mark its history, including the British, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and phylloxera. </span><span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The region is built on terroir, with six regions whose differing soils, aspects, and climates add complexity to the final product. What sets Cognac apart from wine is that it undergoes the process of distillation. Wine from Cognac is distilled twice in alembic Charentais pot stills, named after the Charente River, which is the heart of the Cognac region. Furthermore, unlike French wine, Cognac is almost exclusively an export product. Together, 4,300 winegrowers, 120 professional distillers, and 270 merchant firms work to produce a storied beverage that can be found throughout the world.</span><span></span></p> <p><a name="01"></a></p> Geography and Geology <div class="featured-aside-image"><img class="image-bordered" alt="The regions of Cognac" src="/resized-image/__size/0x1600/__key/communityserver-wikis-components-files/00-00-00-01-48/carte_5F00_crus_5F00_grandes_5F00_moyennes_5F00_communes_5F00_juin_5F00_2019_5F00_bd_2D00_01.jpg" /> The regions of Cognac (Credit: BNIC)</div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>Cognac is in southwest France, just north of Bordeaux. Like Bordeaux, Cognac has a maritime climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which provides moisture to aid in the long oak aging that gives Cognac its characteristic flavor. The heart of the region lies along the Charente River, which provides access to the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span>, or &ldquo;</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT">cellars,</span></span><span class="None"><span>&rdquo; of the town of Cognac and historically was used to shbip the spirit from the region. The river runs low in the summer, requiring flat-bottomed boats, but rainy winters cause it to run very high and even flood. In 1982, the flooding was so severe that the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span> were inundated, sending casks of brandy bobbing down the river.</span></span></p> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>The individual subregions of Cognac were mapped by geology professor Henri Coquand, who conducted the first scientific studies of any winegrowing region in the 1850s. Charentais by birth, he defined the chalky Coniacian, Santonian, and Campanian soils of the region that were noted for producing the best Cognacs. He</span></span></p></div><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.restricted', { contentId: '5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54e' }); }); }); </script><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.displayPopup', { }); }); }); </script><div style="clear:both;"></div> https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac/revision/53Thu, 28 Apr 2022 15:45:42 GMT8277e151-5ba9-4335-93f0-6f497ffb8dc4:5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54eSandra Banhttps://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac#commentsRevision 53 posted to Expert Guides by Sandra Ban on 4/28/2022 3:45:42 PM<br /> <div class="paywall-restricted"><div class="style_box"> Contents <ol> <li>Geography and Geology</li> <li>History</li> <li>Viticulture</li> <li>Vinification</li> <li>Distillation</li> <li>Aging</li> <li>Cognac and Cocktails</li> <li>Cognac Service</li> <li>Bibliography</li> </ol> </div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span>Cognac, a brandy that takes its name from the commune of Cognac, has much in common with French wine. Familiar characters mark its history, including the British, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and phylloxera. </span><span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The region is built on terroir, with six regions whose differing soils, aspects, and climates add complexity to the final product. What sets Cognac apart from wine is that it undergoes the process of distillation. Wine from Cognac is distilled twice in alembic Charentais pot stills, named after the Charente River, which is the heart of the Cognac region. Furthermore, unlike French wine, Cognac is almost exclusively an export product. Together, 4,300 winegrowers, 120 professional distillers, and 270 merchant firms work to produce a storied beverage that can be found throughout the world.</span><span></span></p> <p><a name="01"></a></p> Geography and Geology <div class="featured-aside-image"><img class="image-bordered" alt="The regions of Cognac" src="/resized-image/__size/0x1600/__key/communityserver-wikis-components-files/00-00-00-01-48/carte_5F00_crus_5F00_grandes_5F00_moyennes_5F00_communes_5F00_juin_5F00_2019_5F00_bd_2D00_01.jpg" /> The regions of Cognac (Credit: BNIC)</div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>Cognac is in southwest France, just north of Bordeaux. Like Bordeaux, Cognac has a maritime climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which provides moisture to aid in the long oak aging that gives Cognac its characteristic flavor. The heart of the region lies along the Charente River, which provides access to the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span>, or &ldquo;</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT">cellars,</span></span><span class="None"><span>&rdquo; of the town of Cognac and historically was used to shbip the spirit from the region. The river runs low in the summer, requiring flat-bottomed boats, but rainy winters cause it to run very high and even flood. In 1982, the flooding was so severe that the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span> were inundated, sending casks of brandy bobbing down the river.</span></span></p> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>The individual subregions of Cognac were mapped by geology professor Henri Coquand, who conducted the first scientific studies of any winegrowing region in the 1850s. Charentais by birth, he defined the chalky Coniacian, Santonian, and Campanian soils of the region that were noted for producing the best Cognacs. He</span></span></p></div><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.restricted', { contentId: '5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54e' }); }); }); </script><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.displayPopup', { }); }); }); </script><div style="clear:both;"></div> https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac/revision/52Thu, 28 Apr 2022 15:25:46 GMT8277e151-5ba9-4335-93f0-6f497ffb8dc4:5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54eStacy Ladenburgerhttps://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac#commentsRevision 52 posted to Expert Guides by Stacy Ladenburger on 4/28/2022 3:25:46 PM<br /> <div class="paywall-restricted"><div class="style_box"> Contents <ol> <li>Geography and Geology</li> <li>History</li> <li>Viticulture</li> <li>Vinification</li> <li>Distillation</li> <li>Aging</li> <li>Cognac and Cocktails</li> <li>Cognac Service</li> <li>Bibliography</li> </ol> </div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span>Cognac, a brandy that takes its name from the commune of Cognac, has much in common with French wine. Familiar characters mark its history, including the British, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and phylloxera. </span><span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The region is built on terroir, with six regions whose differing soils, aspects, and climates add complexity to the final product. What sets Cognac apart from wine is that it undergoes the process of distillation. Wine from Cognac is distilled twice in alembic Charentais pot stills, named after the Charente River, which is the heart of the Cognac region. Furthermore, unlike French wine, Cognac is almost exclusively an export product. Together, 4,300 winegrowers, 120 professional distillers, and 270 merchant firms work to produce a storied beverage that can be found throughout the world.</span><span></span></p> <p><a name="01"></a></p> Geography and Geology <div class="featured-aside-image"><img class="image-bordered" alt="The regions of Cognac" src="/resized-image/__size/0x1600/__key/communityserver-wikis-components-files/00-00-00-01-48/carte_5F00_crus_5F00_grandes_5F00_moyennes_5F00_communes_5F00_juin_5F00_2019_5F00_bd_2D00_01.jpg" /> The regions of Cognac (Credit: BNIC)</div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>Cognac is in southwest France, just north of Bordeaux. Like Bordeaux, Cognac has a maritime climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which provides moisture to aid in the long oak aging that gives Cognac its characteristic flavor. The heart of the region lies along the Charente River, which provides access to the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span>, or &ldquo;</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT">cellars,</span></span><span class="None"><span>&rdquo; of the town of Cognac and historically was used to shbip the spirit from the region. The river runs low in the summer, requiring flat-bottomed boats, but rainy winters cause it to run very high and even flood. In 1982, the flooding was so severe that the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span> were inundated, sending casks of brandy bobbing down the river.</span></span></p> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>The individual subregions of Cognac were mapped by geology professor Henri Coquand, who conducted the first scientific studies of any winegrowing region in the 1850s. Charentais by birth, he defined the chalky Coniacian, Santonian, and Campanian soils of the region that were noted for producing the best Cognacs. He</span></span></p></div><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.restricted', { contentId: '5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54e' }); }); }); </script><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.displayPopup', { }); }); }); </script><div style="clear:both;"></div> https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac/revision/51Thu, 28 Apr 2022 15:23:46 GMT8277e151-5ba9-4335-93f0-6f497ffb8dc4:5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54eStacy Ladenburgerhttps://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2499/cognac#commentsRevision 51 posted to Expert Guides by Stacy Ladenburger on 4/28/2022 3:23:46 PM<br /> <div class="paywall-restricted"><div class="style_box"> Contents <ol> <li>Geography and Geology</li> <li>History</li> <li>Viticulture</li> <li>Vinification</li> <li>Distillation</li> <li>Aging</li> <li>Cognac and Cocktails</li> <li>Cognac Service</li> <li>Bibliography</li> </ol> </div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span>Cognac, a brandy that takes its name from the commune of Cognac, has much in common with French wine. Familiar characters mark its history, including the British, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and phylloxera. </span><span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The region is built on terroir, with six regions whose differing soils, aspects, and climates add complexity to the final product. What sets Cognac apart from wine is that it undergoes the process of distillation. Wine from Cognac is distilled twice in alembic Charentais pot stills, named after the Charente River, which is the heart of the Cognac region. Furthermore, unlike French wine, Cognac is almost exclusively an export product. Together, 4,300 winegrowers, 120 professional distillers, and 270 merchant firms work to produce a storied beverage that can be found throughout the world.</span><span></span></p> <p><a name="01"></a></p> Geography and Geology <div class="featured-aside-image"><img class="image-bordered" alt="The regions of Cognac" src="/resized-image/__size/0x1600/__key/communityserver-wikis-components-files/00-00-00-01-48/carte_5F00_crus_5F00_grandes_5F00_moyennes_5F00_communes_5F00_juin_5F00_2019_5F00_bd_2D00_01.jpg" /> The regions of Cognac (Credit: BNIC)</div> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>Cognac is in southwest France, just north of Bordeaux. Like Bordeaux, Cognac has a maritime climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which provides moisture to aid in the long oak aging that gives Cognac its characteristic flavor. The heart of the region lies along the Charente River, which provides access to the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span>, or &ldquo;</span></span><span class="None"><span lang="IT">cellars,</span></span><span class="None"><span>&rdquo; of the town of Cognac and historically was used to shbip the spirit from the region. The river runs low in the summer, requiring flat-bottomed boats, but rainy winters cause it to run very high and even flood. In 1982, the flooding was so severe that the </span></span><span class="None"><span lang="FR">chais</span></span><span class="None"><span> were inundated, sending casks of brandy bobbing down the river.</span></span></p> <p class="BodyA" style="text-align:justify;"><span class="None"><span>The individual subregions of Cognac were mapped by geology professor Henri Coquand, who conducted the first scientific studies of any winegrowing region in the 1850s. Charentais by birth, he defined the chalky Coniacian, Santonian, and Campanian soils of the region that were noted for producing the best Cognacs. He</span></span></p></div><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.restricted', { contentId: '5b60da2b-4f02-4115-b716-ab64f541a54e' }); }); }); </script><script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(function(){ jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.subscribe('paywall.ready', function (data) { jQuery.telligent.evolution.messaging.publish('paywall.displayPopup', { }); }); }); </script><div style="clear:both;"></div>