🥃 Bons Bois
One of the six cognac crus: a wide belt around Fins Bois in Charente, Charente-Maritime and Dordogne; mostly sandy soils, fruity spirits that mature quickly.
Bons Bois is an additional geographical name for the controlled appellation “Cognac” and one of the six cognac crus. It surrounds Fins Bois in a wide belt and extends into the Charente, Charente-Maritime and Dordogne departments. The specification describes Bons Bois spirits as fruity and quick to mature.
Boundaries. Like the other crus, Bons Bois was defined by a decree of 13 January 1938, based on the soil classification drawn up around 1860 by the geologist Henri Coquand. The current AOC Cognac specification, approved on 10 June 2026, lists more than two hundred communes, among them Chalais and Aubeterre-sur-Dronne in Charente, Montendre, Gémozac and Saujon in Charente-Maritime, and part of La Roche-Chalais in Dordogne.
Soil and area. According to the specification, the soils of the “Bois” zones are mostly sandy: sand carried down from the Massif Central by erosion; they cover the coastal areas, some valleys and the entire south of the Cognac area. The vineyards here are scattered among fields and forests. Estimates of the area under vine range from 9,000 to more than 12,000 hectares, depending on the source.
How it is used. Difford's Guide writes that the big cognac houses rarely use Bons Bois spirits in their blends, and the cru's grapes often go into Pineau des Charentes. The other rules are the same as for any cognac: mainly Ugni Blanc grapes, double distillation in a copper Charentais pot still to no more than 73.7% ABV, ageing only in oak for at least two years, and a retail strength of 40% ABV or more.
Why this matters to you. The name “Bons Bois” is not often seen on labels and means a cognac from a single cru; the “good woods” in the name are the historical name of the area, not a quality rating. Age is shown by the separate VS, VSOP or XO designations. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Legal basis | AOC Cognac specification, approved 10.06.2026 (JORF 13.06.2026), sections C and H; cru boundaries: decree of 13.01.1938 |
|---|---|
| EU category | 4 “Wine spirit” (GI Cognac) |
| Raw material | white wine from the cru's grapes; main varieties: Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Folle Blanche, Montils, Sémillon |
| Distillation method | double, in a copper Charentais pot still, to no more than 73.7% ABV |
| Minimum maturation | at least 2 years, in oak only |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 40% ABV or more |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Bons Bois → kind of → 🍇 Grape brandies → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- Made from
- 🍇 Trebbiano Toscano, 🍇 Folle Blanche, 🍇 Colombard
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 French
- Part of
- 🥃 Cognac, 🍇 Grape brandies
- Related to
- 🌍 Western Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Fine Champagne, 🥃 VS, VSOP, XO, 🍷 Pineau des Charentes, 🥃 Bas Armagnac, 🥃 Fins Bois, 🥃 Grande Champagne
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Bons Bois means “good cognac”?
No. Bons Bois means “good woods”, the historical name of the area; it is a cru, that is, the place the spirits come from, not a quality rating.
Where is the Bons Bois cru?
In a wide belt around Fins Bois, in Charente, Charente-Maritime and partly in Dordogne.
What do Bons Bois spirits taste like?
The AOC Cognac specification describes them as fruity and quick to mature.
How is Bons Bois different from Fins Bois?
Fins Bois is the largest cru, with mostly red, stony limestone soils known as “groies”; Bons Bois lies further from the centre, on mostly sandy soils.
Where do Bons Bois grapes go?
Some go into cognac, mostly into blends; according to Difford's Guide, a good deal of the grapes also goes into Pineau des Charentes.
What to read next
- 🍇 Trebbiano Toscano — A white Italian grape called Ugni Blanc in France; used for wine and Cognac.
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🌍 Western Europe — France, the Netherlands, Britain, Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg: a mild, moist climate, pastures and hundreds of cheeses such as Roquefort, Camembert, Gouda and Cheddar.
- 🧑🤝🧑 French — The French are the main population of France, known for the festive meal and baguette on UNESCO's list, for wine and for cheese.
Similar
🥃 Bois Ordinaires · 🥃 Borderies · 🥃 Fins Bois · 🥃 Grande Champagne · 🥃 Fine Champagne · 🥃 Armagnac Ténarèze
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Cahier des charges AOC «Cognac» / «Eau-de-vie de Cognac» / «Eau-de-vie des Charentes», arrêté du 10.06.2026 (JORF 13.06.2026), BO Agri 18.06.2026: crus (dénominations géographiques complémentaires), soils, character of eaux-de-vie
- eAmbrosia: Cognac / Eau-de-vie de Cognac / Eau-de-vie des Charentes, EUGI00000014112 (GI, registered)
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex III: geographical indications of spirit drinks (version of 31.01.2020) — Cognac, with supplementary names Grande/Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois
- Difford's Guide: Cognac — region & sub regions (Borderies c. 4,070 ha, Fins Bois, Bons Bois c. 12,260 ha, Bois Ordinaires c. 1,530 ha; use for Pineau des Charentes)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)