Jarnac, Cognac

Jarnac

Jarnac is the main city/village of the Cognac region. There are of course many different brands of cognac. I think that cognac is actually better known in many places than wine is. The principle of cultivation is the same only that in making cognac, the master blender has to find the same taste of his particular cognac combining different vintages and distillates which may be 100 or more. A cognac can only be named as such if the grapes have been grown in the region. The importance of the central French oak barrels is even higher than it is in wine production. Or trip to Jarnac was rather quick and part of our journey to Bordeaux.  It was no problem just buying a ticket to Courvoisier for a tour. We briefly looked at the region and tasted some cognac. 

Courvoisier

Courvoisier is one of the most famous cognacs and is known as the cognac of Napoleon himself. When Napoleon was in exile, he had several cases of Courvoisier sent to him for his personal needs.

Emperor's decree regarding supply of cognac for troops during war

Dinner menu in honour of Napoleon

Cellar at Courvoisier

Hine

Thomas Hine left Dorset, England in 1791, trying his luck in France. As a result Hine Cognac became one of the most distinguished cognacs in the world. It is also one of my personal favourites. In Jarnac, in the building on the picture there is a shop. I bought some Hine cognac there as well as Monnet Cognac which is anther production Hine bought.