Here are just a few reference terms as you select French brandy:

• Acquit Régional Jaune d'Or: certificate which guarantees that the brandy comes from Cognac.

• age: Brandy improves in wood for about 50 years. The cost and loss through evaporation are large which is reflected in the price. Once in the bottle, brandy doesn't age.

• Armagnac: brandy produced in the Department of Gers and aged in casks of Gascony black oak.

• brandies: distilled wine usually aged in wood. Laws fix the geographic limits of the areas which may produce under the Cognac or Armagnac labels.

• Cognac: brandy distilled from wines made from grapes of the Charente and Charente Inferieure Departments. Generally recognized as superior to all other brandies.

• coupage: blending of brandies for uniformity over time

• eau de vie: spirits, usually brandy

• fine: ordinary brandy

• Fine Champagne Cognac: from the Champagne area which should be the best.

• Fine de la Maison: a restaurant's house brandy--usually not Cognac!

• Grand Champagne: the small district where Cognac is located and which produces the best quality Cognac.

• label abbreviations: E=Especial, F=Fine, V=Very, O=Old, S=Superior, P=Pale, X=Extra, C=Cognac

• limousin oak: from the Limoges area, used to make Cognac casks.

• quality of Cognac: the Cognac area has 7 subdivisions which in the order of quality are: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois, Bois Ordinaires, Bois communs dits à Terroir

• spirits: distilled liquors

• stars: more stars indicate better quality. Determined by the producer so this will vary from one brand to another.

• vintage: dated bottle, entirely from one harvest only in the best years

Cognac. The rest of your life will wait.

Lalique 100 Points Cognac Glass and Stemware Collection	Baccarat Degustation Brandy Glass, Set of 2
Lalique's renowned 100 Points collection has expanded from a single universal tasting glass to an entire assortment perfect for a wide variety of beverages and occasions. Designed in collaboration with international wine critic James Suckling, each glass in the collection is carefully finished, sanded and polished for incredible clarity and beauty.	Characterized by a short stem and a wide balloon-like bowl. The bowl's large surface area enables scents and notes to be released, thus maximizing the flavor of the cognac.

Vetro 24K Gold Brandy Glass	Vinyl Balloon Snifter
Brandy glass with 24-karat gold details. Made of glass. Holds 12 ounces. Approx. 3"Dia. x 5.5"T. Dishwasher safe.	A luxurious and versatile set inspired by the Art Deco style, Vinyl will recreate the sophistication of the 1930s cocktail bars at your place. Although each glass has its shape and personality, the decoration has been developed so that harmony pervades the whole set. Handcrafted balloon snifter. Made of lead crystal. Approx. 5.7"T. Holds 19 ounces.

Lismore Black Brandy Balloon Glasses, Set 2	Waterford Connoisseur Lismore Brandy Balloon, Set of 2
The bold Lismore Black collection extends from drinkware to specially curated home décor objects. Rich opaque black color adds a striking contrast to the sparkling clear crystal, accentuating the intricate deep cuts of the timeless Lismore pattern.	Set includes two brandy balloon glasses. The Lismore Brandy Balloon is the most classic of spirits glass shapes, designed to amplify the delicate flavors of the finest spirits. The thick crystal stops the spirit from being warmed by the hand, allowing aromas to build slowly in the bowl, ready to be nosed without overpowering the senses

Waterford Elegance Brandy Glass, Set of 2	Waterford Connoisseur Aras Cognac Glass, Set of 2
Meticulously hand crafted with crisp rims, striking angles and clear, delicate bowls, Waterford's Elegance collection makes a refined, modern statement in sparkling crystal.	Set includes two cognac glasses. This Aras Cognac glass has been designed to pair perfectly with the flavors and aromas of Cognac. The long stem keeps the heat of your hands away from the bowl of the glass, allowing the spirit s aroma to develop at its own pace, before being concentrated by the tapered shape and narrow mouth