Today’s destination is the town of Cognac, which lies to the northeast of Bordeaux and lends its name to the famous brandy that has been produced in the surrounding wine region for the last 300 years.
This unique day is conducted by a professional wine guide that will be happy to explain all things Cognac from soils to aromas!
8.50am - Pick up by your driver / guide at your hotel or accommodation in Bordeaux or surrounding.
9.00am Depart from Bordeaux
10.30am Visit & Cognac tasting in a 1st Cognac House
12.00am Reach the town of Cognac. Free time for personal discovery and lunch in town.
2.00pm Visit & Cognac Tasting in a 2nd Cognac House
3.30pm Depart for Bordeaux
5.00pm Arrive in Bordeaux
The Cognac Wine Region
The region authorized to produce cognac is divided into six zones, including five crus. The six zones are: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bon Bois and finally Bois Ordinaire. A blend of Grande and Petite Champagne Cognacs, with at least half coming from Grande Champagne, is known as Fine Champagne.
The wine is very dry, acidic, and thin, “virtually undrinkable”, but excellent for distillation and aging. It may be made only from a strict list of grape varieties, if it is to carry the name of one of the crus then it must be at least 90% Ugni Blanc (known in Italy as Trebbiano), Folle Blanche and Colombard, although 10% of the grapes used can be Folignan, Jurançon blanc, Meslier St-François (also called Blanc Ramé), Sélect, Montils or Sémillon.
Your Cognac Wine Tour
Your excursion will include a visit and tasting at two different Cognac distilleries: one with a name that is known all over the world like Hennessy, Martell, or Camus, and one that is less known and is still family owned and operated.
The two visits will allow you to compare the differences between large and small-scale productions of Cognac and will cover topics such as the grape varieties used, the fermentation and distillation methods, and the aging and blending process. After each visit, you will have the chance to taste several different kinds of brandy produced by the distillery. Between visits, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant where you will sample typical cuisine and wine from the region.
This private tour ensures you enjoy full attention from your guide.
