Cognac, the world's best-known brandy, comes from the peaceful countryside surrounding the Charente river, one hundred miles north of Bordeaux. The vineyards of Cognac Méry can be found in the village, Salles d'Angles which is in the Grande Champagne cru of the Cognac region.

A cognac made from just the first two of these crus (with at least 50% from Grande Champagne) is called Fine Champagne ("champagne" coming in both cases from archaic words meaning chalky soil, a characteristic of both areas).
The climate in this region is temperate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic ocean. The soil is clay/chalk, which is indispensable in growing grapes to compose an excellent cognac.

The Cognac region is divided up into six crus, in order of decreasing appreciation of the cognacs coming from them: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois and Bois Ordinaires.

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The vines are planted with white grapes for the production of cognac, Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Folle Blanche and Montils.