REGION: Cognac

Distillerie de Chevanceaux in Saint-Palais-de-Négrignac, France, employs multiple crus and a thoughtful cask regimen to create the robust yet classic style of Couvignac Cognac.

Dom Pierre French brandy is made by Distillerie de Chevanceaux in Saint-Palais-de-Négrignac. Crafted from a unique grape blend with the same exacting standards given to the distillery’s Cognacs, Dom Pierre is both accessible and nuanced in character.

The Giboin family has been growing grapes and producing Cognac for over two centuries. Grapes grown on the family’s main estate in the Borderies, along with those grown on a second estate in the Fins Bois, are distilled separately and carefully aged for a range of Cognacs and Pineau des Charentes.

Vignoble Grateaud’s Borderies cognac, distilled from Ugni Blanc by the Grateaud family for five generations, has a distinctly unique personality from Grande and Petite Champagne, showing more plush, sweet fruit, as well as jubilant aromas of honey and wildflowers.

Evolving from distillation equipment salesman to broker then independent bottler, Jean Grosperrin began aging and bottling exceptional Cognacs from underrepresented regions. His son, Guillem, expanded the business in 2004, and labels bear witness to these rare Cognacs’ crus and distillation dates.

The Estèves are independent producers in the Petite Champagne, respected throughout the region. Much of that esteem comes from their skill and approachability, but true reverence comes from their adherence to tradition and their marvelous collection of young, middle-aged, and pre-phylloxera Cognacs.

The Dudognon family has produced Cognac in the small town of Lignières-Sonneville in Grande Champagne since 1776. Using only grapes grown on the ten-hectare property and no additives, Maison Dudognon produces some of the finest Cognac in the region.

A blender’s-select range of Cognacs from Maison Hardy, Maison Rouge pays tribute to the family’s history of storing Cognac in a red-tiled barn in the Charentais town of Roumazières on the way to a “paradis”—known only to the family—where exceptional casks of eaux-de-vie were rumored to rest.