Cognac is made from white wine, using only very specific types of grapes. The grapes must be grown in one of the six crus surrounding the town of Cognac in the Charente and Charente-Maritime regions of France.

The wine used to make cognac must be made from at least 90% Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche or Colombard grapes. The final 10% may be made from Folignan, Jurançon blanc, Meslier St-François, Sélect, Montils or Sémillon grapes.

This wine is then twice distilled in copper stills to create eau-de-vie, which is then aged for a minimum of two years and finally blended to make cognac.