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Cognac houses (France)

Maisons de Cognac

Presentation of Cognac brandies
Flags of Cognac houses
- Hennessy
- Martell

See also:

Presentation of Cognac brandies

In 1870, the Cognac countryside was hit hard by phylloxera, which destroyed a large part of the vineyard. Surprisingly, this is what will allow traders in the city to develop. Little by little, thanks to their financial base, they will incorporate distillation and blending to become producers by now buying the wine harvests and no longer the eau-de-vie. It was in 1891 that the name cognac appeared as an appellation for local brandies. The cognac trade resumed and allowed the growth of the city. In 1878, Claude Boucher moved to Cognac to found a glass factory there and in 1898 invented a glass blowing machine. The Claude Boucher glass factory was absorbed in 1962 by the Saint-Gobain company. The family groups of Cognac are transformed little by little, by joining forces with other companies or with international spirits groups, it is the beginning of the economic separation between the city and its product. In 1971 JAs Hennessy joined forces with Moët & Chandon, then in 1987 founded the LVMH group.

Cognac is a unique spirit in that it is double-distilled. There are six vineyard areas around the Cognac area, all of which are within the Appellation Controlee for Cognac, but which are considered to vary in quality from the best growth area of "Grande Champagne" (nothing to do with the Champagne wine region), through "Petite Champagne" then "Borderies", "Fins Bois", "Bon Bois" and finally "Bois Ordinaire". The best Cognacs are generally only made using Grande and Petite Champagne grapes, but all Cognac is produced by blending a variety of eau de vie which can be made from grapes from different locations, and from different vintages.

Olivier Touzeau, 11 February 2022

Flags of Cognac houses

Hennessy

Flag of Hennessy - Image by Olivier Touzeau, 11 February 2022

The flag of Hennessy, on its headquarters near the Charente river, is the most visible one in the center of Cognac.
It is orange with the logo (photo, 2019).

Olivier Touzeau, 11 February 2022

Martell

Flag of Martell - Image by Olivier Touzeau, 11 February 2022

The flag of Martell, on the seat and rooftop bar of the company, is blue with the logo (photo, 2021).

Olivier Touzeau, 11 February 2022