The wine from which the brandy is made in the Cognac regions is not of itself very palatable. It is somewhat thin in body, acid in taste, and unpleasant as a beverage. In fact, the wine which makes the finished brandy is regarded with little favor as a beverage in its own home. It is true that, in the brandy region, the peasants often drink of the wine of the character used in making brandy, but this is only a local consumption. The wine has little value as a commercial beverage. On the other hand it has the qualities which give to the distillate a character which is superior to that produced in any other country.

Fig. 39. Superposed vats.