A decree dated January 13, 1938 delimited the Cognac production area (about 80,000 ha) into 6 classified crus, representing 6 different designations..
Officially delimited in 1909, these crus have been delimited according to the different soils, sub-soils and micro-climates, giving each a particularity to the eaux-de-vie they produce. The soils of Grande Champagne are clay-limestone, and the closer you get to the Atlantic coast, the sandier the soils. The grape variety used for Cognac remains the same at 98%: it is Ugni-Blanc.
1st cru of Cognac : The Grande Champagne
The Grande Champagne is the most central cru of the vineyard, between the river Charente and its tributary the Né. It represents about 17% of the Cognac vineyard (13,200 ha).
Its clay-limestone soil The clay-limestone soil produces exceptional, fine, fragrant eaux-de-vie, which require long ageing to express their aromatic complexity. Ageing potential is a key advantage of this premier cru. The eaux-de-vie can be aged for a very long time; even after 50 years, they will continue to develop their aromas. In contrast, for the other crus, the ageing potential is more limited and the eau-de-vie will reach its peak after 10 or 20 years.
The 5 other crus of the appellation
The Petite Champagne
It has more or less the same characteristics, but with a slightly less chalky soil. It represents 19% of the vineyard (15 200 ha). N.B.: the designation "Cognac Fine Champagne" corresponds to a minimum of 50% Grande-Champagne Cognac, completed with Petite Champagne. { The term champagne comes from the Latin "campania" meaning countryside or open plain: as opposed to wooded areas. This agronomic term is used in reference to the Champagne lands, having the same soil. }
The Borderies
It gives round and sweet Eaux-de-vie. It is the smallest cru, occupying 5% of the vineyard (and renowned for the quality of its eaux-de-vie).
The Fins Bois
They surround the previous crus on 40% of the total surface, and are recognised by the suppleness of their eaux-de-vie.
The Bons Bois (12%) and the Bois Ordinaires (1.5%)
They are made up of silty or sandy soils.
These last three crus produce eaux-de-vie with low ageing.
Advantages of a family estate
Our family estate is ideally located in Grande-Champagne, at the heart of the Cognac vineyard, the first cru of the designation. Thanks to this geographical location, we are specialised in very long ageing! We let our eaux-de-vie sleep peacefully and take the time to develop their best aromas. These aromas are frequently catalogued in order to assess how much longer our eaux-de-vie can spend in barrel. Once the best aromas and all the finesse we're looking for have emerged, it's time to start blending!
To be called cognac, it must be produced in the appellation zone, in other words in one of the six crus mentioned. Outside this area, we call it brandy. Find out more about the differences between cognac and brandy, it's here!
