"All cognacs are brandies, but not all brandies are cognacs". Cognac is a brandy produced in the region of Cognac, France. Grapes grown in this region are picked and pressed to extract the juice. The juice is fermented to make wine that is weak in alcohol (» 6 to 8% alc./vol.) and very acidic. The wine is then distilled twice to become young cognac. The young cognac is aged in oak casks, for a period of time, before being bottled and sold. The following indications on the label tell you how long it has been aged.

Is a famous brandy produced in the region of Armagnac, France. Grapes from this region are picked then pressed to extract the juice. The juice is fermented to make wine that is weak in alcohol (6 to 8% alc./vol.) and very acidic. The wine is then distilled in one continuous operation to become Armagnac. Armagnac is always aged in oak casks, for a period of time, before being bottled and sold. The following indications on the label tell you how it has been aged. The longer the aging the better the armagnac.