Situated on the banks of the Charente River, the Cognac region of France is divided into six different crus (cru is French term for growth zones): Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bon Bois and Bois Ordinaire. The Grande Champagne cru, which is composed of approximately 34,000 hectares, is known for its quiet hills and rich, chalky soil, and is considered to produce the finest cognac in the region. In 1610, the Guillon-Painturaud family purchased a tiny, 18 hectare parcel of land in the Grande Champagne region of Cognac. For generations, the art of cognac production was passed down from parent to child, and today, Line Guillon-Painturaud one of the few female master distillers in Cognac benefits from her family's four centuries of experience in the region (the family continues to live on the same estate it purchased in 1610). The 18-hectare estate, which is devoted entirely to the production of a single varietal grape, enjoys a rich, calcareous soil, along with a temperate climate and generous amounts of sunlight. As a result, the Ugni Blanc grapes harvested on the estate are incredibly acidic and flavorful, making them perfect for distillation. Once the Ugni Blanc grapes have been harvested, they are pressed and the remaining grape juice is fermented into a wine. Then, Line distills the wine twice through a traditional copper still, before maturing the cognac in bespoke, French oak barrels (the oak is sourced from the Limousin and Troncais forests in France, and the barrels rest in Line's cellars). Guillon-Painturaud VSOP Grande Champagne Cognac is aged for an average of fifteen years, before each cask is brought to proof and bottled by hand (House Guillon-Painturaud is a member of the Vigneron Independent, a society specifically dedicated to winegrowers who undertake every aspect of production in-house). The cognac has an aroma of ripe orchard fruits, particularly green apples and pears, along with notes of caramel and butterscotch. The aroma opens up to notes of orange and lemon zest, along with touches of cinnamon, tropical fruits and pastries. The finish, which is long and elegant, has a smooth touch of caramelized apples. Guillon-Painturaud VSOP Grande Champagne Cognac earned four stars from F. Paul Pacult's Spirit Journal, which called the cognac an "excellent buy."In addition, it was named the "Best Bargain Brandy"by Wine Enthusiast.
