Cognac AOC
APPELLATION
The Cognac Appellation is strictly regulated to follow longstanding local use
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Every stage plays a determining role in the quality of the Cognac.
The Cognac AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée, meaning “Controlled Appellation of Origin”) is strictly regulated to follow longstanding local use.
Three main, national, legal texts are at the origin of the AOC Cognac: 1st May 1909, 15th May 1936, 13th January 1938
Suite à la réforme de l’INAO et pour satisfaire aux aux nouvelles exigences communautaires, toutes les AOC françaises ont rédigé un nouveau cahier des charges définissant les conditions de production de leur appellation.
Le cahier des charges de l’AOC Cognac a été élaboré par l‘ODG Cognac. Il est homologué par décret.
Il définit :
- the name and description of the Appellation ;
- the definiton of the geographical area ;
- the description of production methods ;
- the origins ;
- mandatory mentions.
It specifically brings together the provisions defined in the three main, national, legal texts that relate to Cognac :
- The Decree of 1st May, 1909 delimits the Cognac production area ;
- The Decree of 15th May, 1936 modified defines the following Appellations: “Cognac”, “Eau-de-vie de Cognac” and “Eau-de-vie des Charentes”;
- The Decree of 13th January, 1938 defines the production areas within the Delimited Region for each of the Regional Appellations.
OTHER OFFICIAL TEXTS
- Modified Order of 27th July 2003 relative to the application of article 302G of the general tax code concerning the ageing of Cognac eaux-de vie (in French only) ;
- EC Regulation 110/2008 of 15th January 2008 concerning the definition, designation, presentation, labelling and protection of geographical place of spirits distilled from wine (only in French).