Courvoisier

[bloviatrix]

The other day I was on a subway car plastered with ads for Courvoisier. Some had the words "Fine Champagne" on them. I would love for someone to explain how that term relates to cognac. I'm perplexed.

[Gifted Gourmet]

The other day I was on a subway car plastered with ads for Courvoisier.  Some had the words "Fine Champagne" on them.  I would love for someone to explain how that term relates to cognac.  I'm perplexed.

My Guide for the Perplexed:

Perhaps they wanted to come up with some type of alcohol metaphor?

and make it appear even more spectacular than it is, bubble-wise??

Reality check time click on "Quality Portfolio" ...

Edited May 7, 2004 by Gifted Gourmet (log)

[Alberto]

Hello all.

The matter is simple. In Cognac there are six recognised sub-zones, in descending order of quality (and actually in ascending order of distance from the centre of the region too):

Grande Champagne

Petite Champagne

Borderies

Fins Bois

Bons Bois

Bois Ordinaires

Cognac blend coming from both Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne can be labeled as Fine Champagne, although it isn't a sub-region in itself.

No relationship with sparklers, then.

Alberto

[Craig Camp]

Also the word "champagne" itself actually comes from the soil type called campanien. It is a chalky, fossel rich soil and both the Champagne regions of Cognac and the famous sparking wine region Champagne itself feature this type of soil and hence share the name champagne.

[bloviatrix]

Thanks for giving me some clarity.

Gifted -- I actually looked at the Courvoisier site before I posted and their explanation made no sense to me.