BNIC
Phylloxera came to Charente in 1875. It was destined to destroy a large part of the vineyards, only 40,000 hectares of which would be recovered in 1893. This crisis gave birth to the "Comite de Viticulture", followed by the "Station Viticole" in 1892. numerous years of effort and patience would be necessary to reinvigorate the economy of the region. The 1st May 1909, the geographical zone of production of Cognac was defined. Then in 1936, Cognac was recognised as an Appellation d"Origine Controllee.
During the Second World War the office for the denomination of wines and eaux-de-vies was born, in order to try to preserve the stock of Cognac. After the Liberation in 1946, it was replaced by the Bureau National Interprofessionel du Cognac (BNIC), to which the Station Viticole was attached in 1948. All the stages of Cognac making were henceforth subject to legislation prepared to protect the product whose fame was ever growing. Wine producers and Cognac negociants are united in their support for the role of the BNIC: “To develop, represent and defend the collective interests of Cognac professionals”.
To acces the BNIC site: www.bnic.fr