Cognac (/ˈkɒnjæk/ KON-yak ; French pronunciation: ​[kɔ.ɲak]), named after the town of Cognac in France, is a variety of brandy. It is produced in the wine-growing region surrounding the town from which it takes its name, in the French Departements of Charente and Charente-Maritime.For a brandy to bear the name Cognac, an Appellation d'origine contrôlée, its production methods must meet certain legal requirements.