Editing Cognac (section)

==<FONT COLOR="#003399">'''HISTORY OF COGNAC'''</FONT>==
'''Unknown prior to the 9th century, the town was subsequently fortified'''. During the Hundred Years' War, the town changed sides on several occasions as the result of fighting and treaties in the region. Francis I granted the town the right to trade salt along the river, guaranteeing strong commercial success, which in turn led to the town's development as a centre of wine and later brandy.

The world's best-known brandy comes from the peaceful countryside surrounding the Charente River one hundred miles north of [[Bordeaux]]. This slow moving river, which King François I called the loveliest river in his kingdom, passes through a placid landscape of vineyards bathed by a clear and radiant light. '''A twenty-mile area called the 'golden circle" of cognac production encompasses Cognac and the second distilling town of Jarnac'''. 

Cognac, the medieval town which bears the name of the region, is attractive with its narrow medieval cobbled streets and elegant Renaissance facades. It is here that the fabled nectar has been created since the 17th century and that the very air one breathes is permeated by the heavy scent of spirits evaporating from oak casks held in storage: this aroma is referred to as the "angels's share'. '''World famous firms such as Camus, Hennessy, Martell, Otard, Prince Hubert de Polignac, Rémy-Martin, Courvoisier, and Renault-Bisquit are located here'''; each distillery has its own secret and unique process for mixing the various blends of its eaux-de-vie. Join a guided tour to learn about the double-distilling process that goes on in copper stills before the ageing in oak barrels where the precious liquor will improve, taking on its final bouquet and famous golden glow. Take a barge or a small train and discover the history of cognac, its vineyards, distilleries and museums which show you not only how it is made but proudly display the oldest reserve of cognacs dating back to 1830. Then how about a taste!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

'''''More informations about the History of Cognac on the [[wikipedia:Cognac]] !'''''
'''''or [http://translate.google.fr/translate?hl=fr&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Ffr.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FCognac_%28Charente%29%23Pr.C3.A9history Further informations]'''''<br />