Photo de vieille bouteilles de Cognac et Pineau Guillon-Painturaud

How to choose a Cognac, we tell you everything !

Choosing a Cognac is sometimes complicated and requires some explanations.
To choose a Cognac, 4 criteria can help you: the cru of production, the age category, the origin of production and the value of a tradition.

Choosing a Cognac according to its age

Knowing the age of the product you own or wish to buy allows you to make a better choice and to understand the value of this precious nectar. Several elements allow to distinguish its ageing. Bottled Cognac does not age anymore, the eau-de-vie has kept the age it had when bottled.
To know the age of a Cognac, nothing better than to come and meet the winegrower on their estate.

Otherwise, several elements can help you to make your choice.

Photo de barriques de Cognac dans un chai sombre

Choosing a Cognac according to its label

The age statement was created in 1983 by the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac and the Government Commissioner. Some mentions were then created, and allow to better understand if we have a young or an old Cognac:

  • VS (Very Special): The Cognac whose label has this mention, justifies an aging of minimum 2 years in oak barrels.
  • VSOP (Very Special old Pale): This is a Cognac that has aged for at least 4 years in oak barrels.
  • XO (Extra Old), Napoleon, Hors d'âge, Reserve, Vieille réserve etc.: This category is for old Cognacs that have aged a minimum of 10 years in oak barrels. However, the category of Very Old Cognac stipulates the minimum age and includes very old eaux-de-vie kept for several generations.

Choosing a Cognac according to the cru of origin

The Cognac designation area is defined by a precise geographical zone, it is divided into 6 crus:

  • Grande Champagne, 1er Cru, gives birth to light and fruity eaux-de-vie whose expression is revealed after many years of aging in oak barrels. All our Cognac and Pineau are produced on our Grande Champagne parcels.
  • The Petite Champagne region offers equally fruity eaux-de-vie. The name "Champagne" refers to the land, the term "Fine Champagne" is a blend of Grande Champagne (minimum 50%) and Petite Champagne.
  • The Borderies reveal sweet and floral eaux-de-vie.
  • The Fins Bois offer rapidly aging eaux-de-vie.
  • The Bons Bois offer round eaux-de-vie that also age quickly.
  • The Bois Ordinaires offer the same characteristics.

Grande Champagne is a cru that allows the production of very old eaux-de-vie, the aromas become more complex thanks to the alchemy due to the ageing in oak barrels and the terroir. The climate also influences the notion of designation. The whole of our family exploitation is located at the heart of the Grande Champagne only.

Carte des crus de l'appellation cognac

Choosing a Cognac according to its blend

Most of the Cognacs are made by blending. The cellar master blends eaux-de-vie of different ages to create a single Cognac. The age of the youngest Cognac in the blend will be indicated on the label (VS, VSOP, XO...).

We favour the selection of a barrel and a vintage for our Cognac. Coming from an identical family exploitation, the gestures are repeated year after year, the tradition lasts. We consider that time will "smooth" any differences in the vintages of young eaux-de-vie. Blending is not practiced in our Cognac range.

Choosing a Cognac according to the philosophy of the winegrower

Choosing a Cognac also reveals a profession, the essence of a philosophy... Most of the Cognac sold comes from merchants, only 1% is really produced directly by the producer, winegrower and distiller. They took care their vineyard, elaborated their wines, distilled their eau-de-vie, and patiently aged them in their oak barrels.

Beyond a philosophy, it is often a work of patience of several generations.

The independent winegrower in Cognac is the guarantor of this commitment.

Enjoy our selection, we remain at your disposal !

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