South_West_France

Wine & Cognac of South West France

In the following you will learn about Cognac, in particular about French Cognac South West France and their different growing regions. The wine districts of South West France begin south of Bordeaux and stretch to the Pyrenees Mountains and the Spanish border. That does not include the vast Languedoc-Roussillon region directly to the east.

Discover the bacchanalian delights of the ancient town of Cognac in Southwestern France, located 465 kilometers southwest of Paris and 120 kilometers north of Bordeaux. The grapes which produce the cognac brandy variety grow in the French Departements of Charente and Charente-Maritime in southwestern France. The vineyards of Cognac primarily host the Ugni blanc, a slow ripening, highly acidic, white grape which grows nourished by the waters of the River Charente. Cognac is a variety of brandy, the most famous variety.

Europe, of course, holds its wine-making traditions dear, and only officially demarcates three brandy regions in Europe. Cognac, France, is undoubtedly the foremost, standing tall with the quaint southwestern French province of Armagnac and the enchanting Jerez in Andalusia, Spain. In addition, French law mandates that Cognac continue the 300-year old tradition impeccably from start to finish. Cognac must be made from at least 90% Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, or Colombard grapes. The remainder may consist of the grape varieties Folignan, Jurançon blanc, Meslier St-François (also called Blanc Ramé), Sélect, Montils, and Sémillon. It must be distilled twice in copper pot stills, also called alembic. Even the traditionally shaped Charentais copper stills have sizes, shapes, and creation methods controlled by the French government. After the double distillation, the product is called an eaux-de-vie (literally, "waters of life"). The eaux-de-vie is then aged at least two years in French oak barrels (picture) which are shipped from all over Europe but typically passing through the town of Limoges and for that reason called Cognac. Cognac Producers distill the eaux-de-vie in the town's many chais (warehouses, often underground, pronounced "shay"), where the brandy is left to mature while the fumes turn the walls black with microscopic fungi.

The French government authorizes 6 zones (also called cru or regions) of southwestern France to produce Cognac

Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bon Bois, and Bois Ordinaire

Each region’s Cognac is known for its particular taste, and the regions are generally listed in order of quality.

The Grande Champagne grows in the whitish, chalky, friable limestone subsoil, and its distance from the Atlantic protects the Ugni Blanc and other grapes as they grow. A powerful but elegant bouquet dominates the drink.

The Petite Champagne, has similar characteristics as the Grande Champagne region it geographically surrounds, but is generally shorter on the palate, where the Grande Champagne is considered long in the mouth.

Borderies is the smallest cru, or region, making up only 5% of the entire Cognac region. But dynamite comes in small packages, as they say: Borderies House of Cognac are the most distinctive, with violet or iris bouquet and nutty aromas. Fins Bois is the largest cru in Cognac at 40% of the region.

Fins Bois Cognac produces distinguished, fruity flavors similar to the Borderies Cognac, but less heavy. The hard limestone mixed with clay and pebbles imparts rounded, fruity, and oily, but pleasant, characteristics.

Geographically, the lesser crus of Bons Bois and Bois Ordinaires are disadvantaged by their close proximity to the maritime climates of the Atlantic seaboard and resulting lack of limestone in their soils. Producers must be far more vigilant during the legalistic distillation process. Some blends are excluded by manufacturers, but a true Cognac connoisseur knows that amazing Cognac is produced here as well.

Vineyards or Producers sell their cognac directly. None of the producers sell all of the grades of Cognac, so it’s always worth taking a wine-touring trip!

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