The Trebbiano grapes thrive particularly well on the sun-drenched soils in the meanders of the Charente River in the French Southwest. Here, Cognac is produced, still traditionally distilled in copper stills and aged in oak barrels. In the region, this amber-coloured drink is a true art of living.
The city of Cognac is located in a meander of the Charente River between Angoulême and Royan and flourished from the Middle Ages through salt exports. Born in the Cognac Castle in 1494, King Francis I later granted the city exemption from taxes, leading it to wealth. Gardens were planted, streets were paved with cobblestones. In the 17th century, Dutch merchants had the idea to distil “brandy” from the white wine variety Trebbiano, known in France as Ugni blanc. This “brandy,” simply called “Cognac” in France, quickly gained popularity in the Anglo-Saxon world.
