Cognac

Cognac, a town of France, in the department of Charente, on an old castle-crowned hill over the Charente, 42 miles SE. of Rochefort by rail. The cultivation of the vine and distillation of Brandy (q.v.) form the chief industry of the district; in the town, casks and bottles are manufactured. Francis I. was born here. Pop. (1872) 12,950; (1891) 17,052.