Best Cognac Distillery tours & tastings

Cognac has six different wine regions, including:

• "Grande Champagne" : Renowned for producing cognacs of great finesse and complexity, often considered the best, thanks to its ideal chalky soil.
• "Petite Champagne" : Offers high quality cognacs with similar characteristics to Grande Champagne, but slightly less refined.
• "Borderies" : The smallest of the regions, known for its round and floral cognacs, with faster maturity due to its unique clay-limestone soil.
• "Fins Bois" : Produces fruity and well-balanced cognacs, appreciated for their roundness and relatively rapid aging.
• "Bon Bois" : Gives cognacs with rustic and fruity aromas, thanks to varied soils including sand, clay and limestone.
• "Bois Ordinaires" : Produces robust, marine cognacs, influenced by proximity to the ocean and frequently used for blends.

The Cognac region of France is famous for its traditional “vin brûlé,” or brandy, which is a special type of double-distilled wine. This type of wine is made from distilled grape juice that has been fermented into wine. The grapes used to make cognac are Ugni Blanc and Folle noire grapes - these are harvested in the autumn then fermented in barrels for several months before being double distilled.

The final Cognac product is aged between four and 100 years, depending on the style you like (or your budget).

If you like peace and quiet, choose the months of March to May or September to November for a cognac tasting in low season. However, summer will allow you to discover the Cognac Festival in July and the Fête du Pineau in August, two unmissable events.

In winter, the region lights up with Christmas festivities, providing a magical ambiance for your wine tours. Whatever the time of year, Cognac promises you a rich and varied experience. To buy cognac, the experiences available on Winalist will allow you to make the best choice according to your tastes and desires.

Cognacs from the Cognac AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) appellation benefit from numerous positive reviews thanks to specialists' notes. Numerous oenological workshops, as well as visits to cellars or distilleries in Cognac, allow you to learn everything about regional grape varieties.

The AOC is a legal guarantee of origin and quality of a particular cognac, which it is important to respect when choosing your cognacs. When it comes to selecting the best cognac, it is crucial to consider the AOC classification. This is the highest level of classification for a wine company and guarantees that your cognac comes from grapes grown in a specific region and has been aged in oak barrels for at least two years.

There are different levels in the AOC classification depending on the aging time of a cognac house:

• VS (Very Special): cognac aged for at least two years.
• VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale): cognac aged for at least four years.
• XO (Extra Old): cognac aged for at least six years (since 2018, previously ten years).

Spend a weekend in Cognac and immerse yourself in the heart of the Charente wine region. Discover passionate master distillers during guided tours, where they share their know-how and their love for the terroir. Soak up the authentic atmosphere of local markets, such as the one on Place François 1er, and savor Cognac cuisine in traditional restaurants such as La Ribaudière or La Courtine.

For those who want to combine pleasure and culture, end your day by strolling through the city's picturesque historic streets, including the unmissable Rue Grande. Don't miss the Château de Cognac, one of the region's tourist gems.

Cognac is a picturesque town and nestled in the Charente region of France, located in the south-west of the country, approximately 120 kilometers north of Bordeaux. Cognac is world-renowned for producing the eponymous brandy since the 16th century, and is surrounded by rolling vineyards that produce the unique grapes : deeply essential for creating this prestigious spirit.

The double distillation process and aging in oak barrels give Cognac its distinctive flavor and character, making it a favorite among connoisseurs all around the world.

Beyond the distilleries, the town of Cognac itself offers a mix of history and culture. The old town, with its well-preserved medieval architecture, invites visitors to step back in time. The Château de Cognac, birthplace of King François I, and the Saint-Léger Church are stunning examples of Romanesque architecture.

Cognac is an ideal destination for those who appreciate fine spirits and rich history. Make sure to visit some of the smaller family-run distilleries in the countryside, a unique experience to understand the craftsmanship and tradition that go into every bottle of Cognac. A trip to Cognac will offer you an unforgettable journey through one of France’s most storied regions.

• Domaine Pasquet with an average rating of 4.8 among 47 reviews.
• Cognac Hennessy with an average rating of 4.8 among 32 reviews.
• Cognac Frapin with an average rating of 4.7 among 22 reviews.

• The duration of the experience: The longer the visit and tasting, the higher the cost.
• The type of visit: Visit to a cellar, wine estate, or distillery.
• The presence of a guide: A tour guided by an expert, especially over a half or full day, can increase the price.
• Services included: Premium tastings, number of wines tasted, and additional activities such as wine workshops or meals.