Cognac wine region French wine region guide: location, history, appellations, grapes & food
Cognac is the world-famous brandy region of western France, also home to Pineau des Charentes, a sweet aperitif made from grape juice and young Cognac, and to fresh white country wines.
More info about the Cognac wine region
Geographic position
Western France, in the Charente and Charente-Maritime departments, around the towns of Cognac, Jarnac and Saintes, from the Atlantic coast and the islands of Ré and Oléron inland along the Charente river, with about 200,000 acres of vines.
Origin & history
Vineyards developed in the Middle Ages, and Dutch merchants began distilling the local wine in the 16th and 17th centuries to preserve it for shipping, creating Cognac. Great houses such as Martell and Hennessy were founded in the 18th century. The Cognac appellation was defined in 1909, and Pineau des Charentes became an AOC in 1945.
Main appellations & varieties
Cognac (with crus such as Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne), Pineau des Charentes and IGP Charente. Grapes include Ugni Blanc, Colombard and Folle Blanche, with Merlot and Cabernet for red and rosé Pineau.
Food specialties
Marennes-Oléron oysters, mouclade (mussels in cream), snails (cagouilles), Charentes butter, chabichou goat cheese and melon from Charentes.