LABEL
Understanding a Cognac label
1/ A Cognac can be identified by the information on its label
● The following information is mandatory (Directive CE n° 2000/13 du 20/03/2000):
-- Denomination under which it is sold*
-- Name or company name and address of the producer or bottler, or of a vendor
established within the European Community ;
-- Alcohol content in % of alcohol by volume* ;
in no case may it be below 40% vol. when sold to consumers (Art 5. - Decree of May
15,1936). ;
Although the 40% vol. minimum is firm, at higher levels the actual alcohol content may
vary by up to 0.3% from what is stated on the label (Commission Directive 87/250/EEC);
-- Net bottle content in litres, millilitres, or centilitres (min. 4 mm high) (Directive
2007/45/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of Sept. 5, 2007)*;
-Identification of the bottler (executive order of Oct. 20, 1978 & addendum I-3.2 of EEC
Directive No. 75/106 of Dec. 19, 1974), if different from the producer;
-- Lot number. Note that it may be placed anywhere on the container as long as it is
visible, legible, and indelible (EEC Directive No. 89/396 of June 14, 1989);
- “Green Dot” logo when registered with a competent body (Decree of Apr. 1, 1992).
Note: min. 6 mm diam., dark arrow on top pointing right;
-- Health message or pictogram recommending pregnant women abstain from alcohol
(executive order of Oct. 2, 2006)(Always in the same visual block as the alcohol content)*.
* Note that information marked with a (*) must be presented in the same visual block, on
the front or back label.
● The following information is optional and controlled:
-- Regional Appellation (cru) ;
-- Ageing designations.
● Certain optional pieces of information may appear on the label, but they must be
justifiable, e.g.:
-- Brand name ;
-- Grower’s name ;
-- Name of a person within the distribution network ;
-- Vendor.
LABEL page 1/2
2/The appellation Cognac, Eau-de-vie de Cognac, or Eau-de-vie des
Charentes must be