Cognac

CognacCognac is said to be the most familiar French word. It is also one of the least understood. Popular notions of what cognac might be range from a cunning Gallic aphrodisiac to a chic synonym for brandy. Since it's distilled from wine, cognac is brandy, but of a vastly different pedigree--and vive la différence. All the brandy that may legally be labeled cognac comes from a tiny sector of France roughly one fourth the size (continued on page 228) Cognac (continued from page 149) of Rhode Isl...