Cognac is a type of brandy that is made from white grape wine from vines grown around the city of Cognac, a relatively warm area in the French department of Charente. The limestone in the soil contributes to the quality of the cognac, owing its exquisite flavor and fragrance to the methods of distillation and maturation of at least two years in oak vats. Armagnac, which is produced in the Armagnac region of France, is a drink similar to cognac. The city of Cognac is one of the three regions with a European designation of origin to make brandy. The other two are Armagnac and Jerez de la Frontera.