Which grape is used for the vast majority of Cognac production?

• A. Chardonnay
• B. Ugni Blanc
• C. Merlot
• D. Sauvignon Blanc

Answer: (B)

Ugni Blanc is the grape used for the vast majority of Cognac production. This variety yields a wine that is high in acidity, with a light, neutral flavor and low sugar. The high acidity helps the base wine hold up through the distillation process and long oak aging, keeping the spirit fresh and stable while allowing the oak-derived character to shine in the final Cognac. Its neutral profile also means the distillation and aging, not the grape itself, shape the Cognac’s character. While other grapes like Chardonnay, Merlot, or Sauvignon Blanc may appear in some blends or regional experiments, they do not supply the bulk of Cognac’s base wine.