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The age of an eau-de-vie corresponds to the age of the youngest component that goes into its blend. Below are the most commonly used ageing terms.
Cognac cannot be marketed without a minimum 2 years of uninterrupted ageing, exclusively in oak containers.
VS Cognac: at least 2 years of ageing.
Other mentions ” 3 Stars “, ” Selection “, ” De Luxe ” and ” Very Special “.
VSOP Cognac: at least 4 years of ageing.
Other mentions ” Reserve “, ” Old “, ” Rare “, ” Royal ” and ” Very Superior Old Pale “.
XO Cognac: at least 10 years of ageing.
Other mentions ” Hors d’âge “, ” Extra “, ” Ancestral “, ” Ancêtre “, ” Or “, ” Gold “, ” Impérial “, ” Extra Old “.
The Cognac ” XXO “, ” Extra Extra Old “.
These mentions are specific to eaux-de-vie that have been aged for 14 years or more.
OTHER MENTIONS OF AGEING
AT LEAST 3 years of ageing: “Supérieur”, “Cuvée Supérieure”, “Qualité Supérieure”.
Minimum 5 years of ageing: “Vieille Réserve”, “Réserve Rare” and “Réserve Royale”.
AT LEAST 6 years of ageing: “Napoleon”, “Very Old Reserve”, “Very Old”, “Heritage”, “Very Rare”, “Excellence” and “Supreme”.
Did you know that…?
Generally speaking, producers and merchants use eaux-de-vie that are older than the minimum required for their blends. They may have aged for several decades for the most prestigious designations.
THE MAIN LABELLING MENTIONS
The Cognac Label: a cognac is identified through the information on its label.
COGNAC : The appellation
The name must appear on the label:
Cognac
Eau-de-vie de cognac
Eau-de-vie des Charentes
Brandies with a registered designation of origin for wine may be accompanied by the word “Fine”. This is the sales denomination
Complementary geographical denomination*
100% of the eaux-de-vie that make up the blend come from the vintage mentioned on the label. The Appellation Cognac Fine Champagne Contrôlée serves to blend eaux-de-vie coming exclusively from Grande Champagne (minimum 50%) and Petite Champagne.
*Optional mention
Mention of aging*
The age of an eau-de-vie corresponds to the age of the youngest component that goes into its blend. Cognac cannot be marketed without a minimum 2 years of uninterrupted ageing, exclusively in oak containers.
*Optional mention
Contents
Net capacity in liter, centilitre or millilitre.
(Lettering of 4 mm minimum height for a capacity between 20 cl excluded and 100 cl included)
Volume of alcohol
At the time of marketing to the consumer, brandies have a minimum alcoholic strength by volume of 40%.
To learn more about Cognac go to: https://www.cognac.fr/
Don’t drink and drive. Enjoy responsibly.