Visit to the cellars and tasting of Cognac: an experience to live in Charente!

Renowned throughout the world, its vineyard extends its green vines over the hilly terrain of Charente-Maritime and Charente. On these ancestral lands grow white grapes whose wine, double distilled and aged in oak barrels, gives life to an elixir with a marvelous amber color. It is enjoyed neat, "on the rocks" but can also be enjoyed in cocktails... It is of course cognac! There's nothing like a stay in the Cognac vineyard to discover the thousand facets of this spirit. Here, the big, world-famous houses and the small, more confidential family productions open their doors to reveal their traditional manufacturing secrets and their know-how. A unique tourist experience, punctuated by the discovery of vineyards, distilleries and a rich culinary heritage.

THE COGNAC VINEYARD, AN EXCEPTIONAL TERROIR

Rigorously delimited by decree since 1909, the cognac production area is covered by 80,000 hectares of vines made up mainly of Ugni Blanc, Colombard and Folle Blanche grape varieties. This relatively vast vineyard is not limited to the surroundings of the town of Cognac and brings together several thousand farms and cognac factories between Charente, Charente-Maritime (including the islands of Ré and Oléron) and a few communes of Dordogne and Deux-Sèvres. Becoming an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in 1936, it is distinguished by different wines divided into 6 geographical appellations: Grande and Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois and Bois Ordinaires.

COGNAC: A FASCINATING STORY

The Charente limestone soils were already suitable for wine production in Antiquity. Inherited from the Romans, the vineyards of Aunis and Angoumois produced wines appreciated by the English, the Dutch and the Scandinavians. As these wines suffered from long sea voyages, distillation was introduced in the 15th century by the Dutch. The merchants thus imported brandy, which, added to water, took the name of “brandwijn” (burnt wine), or even “brandy”. Three centuries later, the Charentais invented the double distillation process by modifying the copper stills. They further improved their eaux-de-vie by aging in oak barrels. A spirit with subtle flavors was born: cognac. Thanks to the Charente River, which was ideal for trade, barges loaded with barrels of cognac went down the estuary to La Rochelle, where they were loaded onto sailboats heading for the Nordic countries. Thus, after the salt trade, wine brandy is one of the pillars of the Charente economy.

The Cognac Houses installed directly on the quays of the Charente to facilitate the transport of brandy

VISIT THE COGNAC HOUSES IN CHARENTE

Immerse yourself in the captivating atmosphere of the cognac cellars, where darkness envelops the oak barrels and where ancestral know-how is passed down from generation to generation. Visiting the cognac houses and distilleries in Charente offers a truly immersive experience, offering a unique insight into the art of distilling and blending eaux-de-vie.

The Great Houses of Cognac: A Journey through History

The great world-renowned cognac houses such as Hennessy, Martell, Rémy Martin, Camus and Courvoisier reveal the secrets of their legendary know-how during guided tours which include tastings which reveal all the complexity and finesse of their eaux-de-vie. life. Hennessy, founded in 1765 by Irishman Richard Hennessy, is arguably the most famous house, offering guided tours of its historic cellars and refined tastings. Martell, the oldest of the great houses founded in 1715 by Jean Martell, also offers immersive tours that immerse visitors in more than 300 years of history. Rémy Martin, established in 1724, is known for its exceptional wines and allows you to discover its production methods during guided tours and tasting workshops.

Meeting Small Producers: Authentic Charm

For a more intimate experience, visit small cognac producers. It is in the small family wine estates, often nestled in the quiet valleys of the region, that we discover all the authenticity of the wine traditions of the Cognac region. Distilleries like that of Bertrand, where the family has perpetuated the tradition for several generations, or the Tesseron house, renowned for its rare and precious cognacs, offer personalized tours and tastings directly from the producer. Many other estates scattered throughout the appellation's territory pass on their passion from generation to generation, creating unique cognacs that captivate palates around the world: Baron Otard, Boinaud, Montifaud, Bourgoin, Vallein Tercinier Les Frères Moines, ABK6, Bache-Gabrielsen, Maison Frapin, Thomas Hine & Roullet-Fransac, Courtain et Fils…

Each visit is an immersion in the deep history and cultural heritage of cognac, enriched by meetings with the artisans who lovingly perpetuate this Charente artisanal tradition.

Cycling Routes and Discovery of the Vineyards: pedal through the vineyards

For cycle tourism enthusiasts, the Cognac region offers several cycle routes that wind through the vineyards. The Cognac Wine Routes offer breathtaking landscapes, between green valleys and perfectly aligned rows of vines. Stops are planned at the wine estates for tastings and cellar visits. Very popular among cyclists, a superb section of the Flow Vélo®, covering 34.34 km from Châteauneuf-sur-Charente to Cognac, takes you into the heart of the Cognac vineyard. From Châteauneuf, the island of La Fuie, a vestige of four islets connected by a footbridge, the route passes through Jarnac, the birthplace of François Mitterrand, and reaches Cognac, famous worldwide for its exceptional spirits.

A Complete Immersion in the World of Cognac: Workshops and Tastings

For those who wish to deepen their knowledge, numerous workshops and tasting courses are offered by cognac houses and local producers. These sessions allow you to learn to distinguish the different notes and aromas, to understand the stages of distillation and blending, and to master the art of tasting.

A visit to Cognac is much more than just a wine trip. It is an immersion in a region rich in traditions, know-how and passion, where each tasting tells a story and each landscape invites contemplation. Whether you are a spirits lover or simply looking for discovery, Cognac promises you a fascinating experience.

Article and photos by Lesley Williamson

Did you like our article? Find others on the Guide de la Charente Blog! Find us also on the Facebook page of the Guide de la Charente and on our Instagram account @guidedelacharente