Hailing from in and around the town of Cognac in western France, this potent potable is the finest of all brandies. Cognac is double-distilled immediately after fermentation. It then begins its minimum 3-year ageing in Limousin oak. Stars on a cognac label denote the following oak-aging: 1 star — aged 3 years; 2 stars — aged at least 4 years; 3 stars — aged at least 5 years. Older cognacs are labelled V. S. (very superior), V. S. O. P. (very superior old pale) and V. V. S. O. P. (very, very, superior old pale). A cognac label can no longer legally claim over 7 years aging. It's been difficult for authorities to accurately keep track of Cognacs aged longer than this, so they've limited what producers may claim. Label terms X. O. , Extra and Reserve usually indicate a Cognac is the oldest a producer distributes. Fine champagne on the label indicates that 60 percent of the grapes came from a superior grape-growing section of Cognac called Grande Champagne. One designating grande fine champagne proclaims that all the grapes for that cognac came from that eminent area.