Alexandre Vingtier and his ABC, E for “Esprit de Cognac”

By Alexandre Vingtier 13.11.2020

Discover cognac through the pen and expertise of the well-known Alexandre Vingtier, who exclusively delivers his ABC of Spirits.

The ABC’s of spirits by Alexandre Vingtier : E for “Esprit de Cognac”

There are many appellations in Cognac, starting with AOC Cognac for blends or producers who do not wish to mention a vintage, the 1er cru of Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne and Fine Champagne composed of a blend of the two mentioned vintages with at least 50% of the first, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois and Bois Ordinaires or Bois à Terroir (formerly two distinct vintages, now merged). But did you know that since 1938 there is another AOC protected terroir? No, I am not referring to Pineaux des Charentes, these cognac-based liqueur wines, but to the esprit de cognac.

It is a wine brandy that is very similar to cognac. Except, that it is triple distilled over a naked fire in a copper still between 80% and 85%. Knowing altough that the heating core of the cognac may not exceed 72.4%. Moreover, the esprit de cognac is never used in the Charente region for any product whatsoever. But what is this fine spirit? And even more expensive to produce, for what and who can it be used for? The first paragraph subliminally contains the answer…

Exlusively for champagne producers

Indeed, the esprit de cognac is produced exclusively for champagne producers. The most famous sparkling wine in the world, also taking its name from the old French canpayne, champaine and champaigne, from the Latin campania. The word designates a discovered plain.

Actually, the two terroirs share great similarities in their limestone subsoils. And since we do not distil champagne wine, we might as well use a wine brandy with a relatively similar terroir and an equally world-famous reputation. This spirit serves as an alcoholic support for the famous liqueur de dosage or liqueur d’expédition des champagnes, which can itself age for several decades in oak barrels. Because we do not simply add a few drops of sweet wine to measure the great champagnes, for which it takes several years, sometimes several decades to produce blends worthy of this name or old vintages. No, you need a liqueur of about the same age, sometimes even older than the vintage champagne or the great vintage that you are going to sell.

As if that were not enough, our interest in spirits can also learn us about many other exceptional products. Some even say that the esprit de cognac was once the basis of the greatest perfumes!

Don’t drink and drive. Enjoy responsibly.