The term "Cognac" is applied to brandy distilled in the southwestern portion of France, in the departments of the Charente, and of the Charente Inferieure. These brandies have the highest reputation of any in the world, and the term "Cognac," therefore, is guarded with great jealousy by the French as the particular designation of their product. The term is derived from the city of Cognac, which is the Capitol of the Department of the Charente.

Large quantities of brandy are made in France outside of the two departments mentioned. Under the French law it is not permitted to be called Cognac, but is known by the term "Eau de Vie," followed by the name of the department, or locality where it is manufactured.

It is a very common practice outside of France to call all brandies in general " Cognac" on the supposition that the name is no longer distinctive of a locality. This is an untenable position, since the French have delimited with the greatest care the area in which the brandy can be made, legally bearing the name, as will be shown further on.

Fig. 38. View of the vineyards at. Charroux.