Luxury Cognacs – the Ultimate Indulgence

Cognac is brandy, not all brandy is Cognac. Brandy dates back to the 16th century and we have the Dutch to thank for creating this most alluring spirit. A great naval and trading nation, their boats were able to dock at the dozens of ports along the 470km Charante-Maritime coast line trading salt, timber and wine. The fragile local white wines from Ugni Blanc, Colombard and Folle Blanche and others were fortified with spirit so they could be transported back home in a drinkable state. In fact, the word brandy comes from the Dutch word brandewijn, which means burnt wine.