This double-distilled grape juice is not my thing but it was highly praised by writer Victor Hugo who proclaimed it was “the liquor of the Gods.” We borrowed our friend’s car and drove the short distance between Angouleme and Cognac and managed a short visit through town, sans a cognac tasting, which we reserved for savoring privately later.
Cognac heeds from the 16th century when Dutch settlers visited the Southwest of France to shop for wood, salt and wine. They had difficulties preserving the wine during the trip back home, which led them to distilling the wine. A few trials and errors later, they figured out that distilling the wine twice produced a tasty, smooth and refined liquid. Thus, brandy was born! Much like Champagne is only called that if coming from that specific region, Cognac is only Cognac if it comes from the region Cognac and is produced under strict guidelines.
But there’s more to it than that. Our friends shared with us not only Cognac but also Armagnac. Obviously, there is a taste difference—Cognac offers a refined, floral aroma, while Armagnac has a richer, earthier, and more rustic taste. But the true difference is what types of grapes are used and the production method. Cognac uses low-sugar and high-acid varieties, including Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, Colombard, Semillon, Montils, and Folignan. Armagnac can use some of the same grapes, as well as others. Cognac is double-distilled in pot stills, whereas Armagnac is single-distilled and can be produced using column stills as well.
Our short visit to the ville de Cognac took us by famed Porte Saint-Jacques, the gate of the city built as a part of the defense wall in the 15th century, then rebuilt throughout the following centuries. Today, it still stands vigil on the banks of the Charente river, which flows some 237 miles before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. We got distracted from the classic French architecture by the smell of freshly baked bread, then took a walk through the Jardin Public, where curious fowl watched us expectantly, hoping for a treat. We concluded our visit with a treat for ourselves: crepes with caramel sauce alongside coffee and hot tea.
