The Charente Scene – Spring 2015 in the Cognac Producing Region

The Oak Sensation

Just at the moment the emphasis on cognac production in the Charente region has changed slightly.  On a recent visit to the area we met with one of the major barrel makers who reported that they are currently reducing their production of barrels.  This is partly because most new barrel orders come at the end of the year and partly because they need to concentrate on bulk tank production.  With the on-going need for blended cognacs, large storage facilities, where blending can take place with the minimum risk of quality deterioration, are constantly in demand. These giant barrels can hold between 14,000 and 120,000 litres of cognac and the oak staves can be as much as three inches thick. Clearly such big tanks are not ideal for storage as the cognac exposure to the tannins in the wood is far less than in a normal sized barrel.  However, for the big houses this can be a cost effective method of cognac storage.

All Hermitage Cognacs are aged in much smaller barrels and you can read more about the ageing process here.