Name
APPELLATION
Geographic name
The only products allowed to use the appellation d’origine contrôlée “Cognac”, “Eau-de-vie de Cognac”, or “Eau-de-vie des Charentes”, as initially defined in the French decrees dated 1st May 1909 and 15th May 1936, are spirits distilled from wine that meet the following special conditions.
Complementary geographical denominations
The “Cognac” appellation contrôlée can be completed by the following complementary geographical denominations :
● Grande Fine Champagne
● Petite Fine Champagne
● ● Bois ordinaires ou Bois à terroir
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Fine Champagne is not a cru, but rather a blend of wine spirits that come from the complementary geographical denominations “Grande Champagne” and “Petite Champagne”, with at least 50% from “Grande Champagne”.
Spirit category according to EU regulation 110/2008
L’appellation d’origine contrôlée « Cognac » correspond à la catégorie « Eau-de-vie de vin » définie à l’Annexe II – point 4 du R(CE) n° 110/2008 du 15 janvier 2008 concernant la définition, la désignation, la présentation, l’étiquetage et la protection des indications géographiques des boissons spiritueuses.
Cognac belongs to the category of wine spirits subject to restricted controlled production methods.
Ageing methods
The Cognac appellation d’origine contrôlée is restricted to aged spirits distilled from wine, except for those that may not be aged because they are destined for industrial use or compound products.
Main physical, chemical and organoleptic characteristics
The wine spirits (eaux-de-vie) must have a volatile substance content equal to or greater than 125 g per hectolitre of 100% alcohol and a minimum alcohol content by volume of 40% at the time of sale.
Next… Definition of the Cognac production area