Fine champagne

According to the classification of the National Interprofessional Bureau of Cognac Bureau national interprofessionnel du cognac (BNIC) ^[1] , cognac is the result of a mixture of aged o-de-vie (cognac spirits) from different crus, but this is not necessary. “Appellation Cognac Fine Champagne Contrôlée” (registered name of place of origin Cognac Fine Champagne) “means that o-de-vie (cognac spirits) come exclusively from two crus: Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne, with at least 50 in the blend % o de de vie (brandy spirits) owned by Cru Grande Champagne.

In the 19th century, a geologist and paleontologist from the province of Charente, Henri Coquand, devotes his numerous studies to soils for the production of cognac. His research led to the isolation of individual cru. However, the origin of Cognac Fine Champagne is still unknown; perhaps this category appeared in the classification before the study of Henri Kokan. This name was used by Emile Rémy Martin ^[2] , the owner of a family cognac house that produced and sold cognac in the 19th century. He blended o de de vie (cognac spirits) from the two most prestigious cru, and at that time his business expanded significantly. In the house of Rémy Martin, it is believed that 1848 is the year of birth of Fine Champagne cognac ^[3] . Records from the archives of the Rémy Martin house confirm that this name has been used since 1820 ^[4] , while Cognac was legally recognized as the region of production of this drink. “The first legal documents protecting the appellations of origin date back to 1824,” writes historian Gilles Bernard. France guarantees the origin of o de vie (brandy spirit), indicating the province: Cognac. (...) Cognac producers produce more and more o-de-vie blends from various provinces of the Charente department in order to satisfy the growing demand of demanding customers ” ^[5] .

AOC Cognac Province is divided into six cruis that correspond to the areas of production: Grand Champagne ^[6] , Petit Champagne, Borderi, Fin Bois, Bon Bois and Bois Ordiner. The division into the crus in accordance with geological features and some other criteria was carried out in the 19th century, registered in 1909 and legally determined in 1938 ^[7] . Cognac Fine Champagne is made from o-de-vie (cognac spirits) from the two most prestigious crus (Grand Champagne and Petit Champagne), which have chalky soil. These terroirs make it possible to obtain very fragrant, slowly ripening o-de-vie with great aging potential. Petit Champagne is known for the potential of its cognacs. Grand Champagne is famous for the sophistication of the taste of its cognacs. The most interesting thing in Fine Champagne is the combination of two types of o-de-vie (at least 50% of Grand Champagne), which creates a harmony of multifaceted aromas and a very long finish (kodali). The soils of these two main crus, soft and limestone, were formed in the Cretaceous period. They have a great ability to retain water, providing a continuous supply of the roots of the vine with the necessary elements. The topsoil reflects light, which contributes to the enhanced growth of grapes. You can also say that the temperate marine climate prevailing over the microclimate affects the cultivation of grapes. The wine material of Fine Champagne cognac most often consists of “uni blanc” grapes. However, sometimes used varieties of "Folle Blanche" and "Colombard." Grapes "uni blanc", sometimes called "trebbiano", imported from Italy. It is known for its sophistication, liveliness of taste and acidity, which is ideal for subsequent distillation. Thanks to late flowering, the Uni Blanc is less susceptible to frost. This type of grape is also grown for industrial purposes in the provinces of Provence, Languedoc, Corsica, Italy and Bulgaria. The quality of brandy also depends on the process of growing grapes, distillation, aging and skills of the blending master. The combination of all these elements is reflected in the term "terroir". Of the 75,000 hectares of appellation, Cognac Grand Champagne covers an area of ​​13,200 hectares, and Petit Champagne - 15,200 hectares. In the 1960s, Andre Erjard Dubrey of Rémy Martin ^[8] created l'Alliance Fine Champagne (Fine Champagne Alliance). This alliance brings together thousands of winemakers from Petit Champagne and Grand Champagne and supplies nearly 90% of all o-de-vie homes for Rémy Martin ^[9] .

Other cognac houses that manufacture and sell Fine Champagne:

• A. De Fussigny, Grosperrin
• Bache
• Brastaad
• De luze
• Grosperrin
• Hine
• Le roch
• Rémy martin
• Tiffon