French cognac: names, reviews, prices. What is good French cognac?

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

The noble drink, which will be discussed today, has its own characteristics and rich background. French cognac is not just a drink containing alcohol. This is a multi-stage painstaking work of many people and many years spent to achieve a good result.

What is cognac?

According to the terminology, cognac is a strong drink with a high alcohol content. Moreover, this version of brandy is made only from certain grape varieties. There is a specific production technology, all the necessary conditions and nuances must be met, namely: double distillation of dry wine from grapes and further aging of the resulting raw material (distillation) in special oak barrels.

French cognac is produced in several departments of the country. These are Charente, De Sevres, Dordogne. The most significant city in the history of the drink is the city of Cognac, but Segonzac and Jarnac are considered no less important.

The emergence of cognac

Even in the 3rd centuryThe Roman emperor Probus was given permission to engage in winemaking. Already in those days, on the territory where French cognac is produced today, the mass planting of vineyards began, which exist to this day.

As for more modern documents, in 1909 a decree was issued in France, according to which products called "cognac" can only be produced in a certain territory. The established boundaries included the departments of France, which are distinguished not only by an extremely favorable climate for viticulture, but also by unique calcareous soils. It is believed that fruits grown in other areas do not have the taste properties necessary for cognac.

Harvesting

The optimal time for harvesting raw materials for a drink is mid-autumn. In order to get real French cognac, only a few varieties of white grapes are used. Of these, Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano) is considered the most common. This sour grape variety has a high yield, it ripens slowly, but is quite resistant to diseases. Colombard, Folle Blanche or Montil can also be used. They allow cognac to acquire new flavors, but are very difficult and capricious to grow.

Production steps

After the harvest is harvested and brought to special warehouses, they begin to make the best French cognacs. Consider this process in stages:

1. Squeezing juice from grapes. Horizontal presses are used, not crushingberry pits. Traditional screw is strictly prohibited by law.
2. Fermentation. The resulting juice is fermented for three weeks. At the same time, sugar is not added so as not to spoil the quality of cognac alcohol (this is also prohibited). The resulting wine (with an alcohol content of 9%) is sent for distillation.
3. Obtaining the primary base alcohol (raw). This is the first stage of distillation, which sets the taste and character of the future cognac. Extraction of 30% alcohol is carried out without filtration. All wine is distilled, including the sediment.
4. Obtaining the final high quality cognac spirit. This is a secondary distillation that separates the raw material into three fractions. The fraction of 70% of the strength (second) is placed in oak barrels, aged and becomes the cognac itself.

Let's talk about the last stage of production in more detail.

Aging, or maturation, cognac

As you know, ready-made alcohol obtained from grape juice is placed in special oak barrels. This is necessary in order for the future cognac to be filled with additional flavors and aromas, to become a pleasant golden color.

Oak barrels are often made by hand, without breaking the integrity of the tree trunk (this is important). After their shape is set, firing begins. Thus, the structure of the wood softens, and a small layer of burnt sugar is formed on the inner surface of the barrel, which also affects the aromatic and taste qualities of cognac.

Mape drinkshould not be less than two years, but not more than 70. During the first time of exposure, it extracts from the wood the necessary tannins, sugars, amino acids, oils, resins and enzymes. There is simply no need to increase the maturation period of cognac. After 70 years of aging, its taste remains virtually unchanged.

Cognac is stored in cellars. First maturation takes place in barrels, and then it is bottled in glass bottles. In addition to aging and the varieties of grapes used, French cognac (its name) differs depending on the area where it was produced.

What qualities distinguish cognacs?

As we have already said, there are three main criteria for evaluating a drink: grape variety, locality and aging time. If the first two are written on the bottle without abbreviations, then the latter has its own characteristics. The longer the brandy matured, the better it is. However, it was established by law that it is difficult to control cognac aging for more than 6.5 years. Therefore, today the following drinks are considered the most common:

1. Very Special (V. S.) - minimum aging (2 years).
2. Superior - maturing for at least three years.
3. Very Superior Old Pale (V. S. O. P), Very Old (V. O.), Reserve - four years old.
4. Very Very Superior Old Pale (V. V. S. O. P.) - maturation for 5 years.
5. Extra Old (X. O.) - aged over six years.

According to these standards, French cognac is classified.

Names - Napoleon, Royal, Tres, etc. - indicate the brand, not the brand. There are also drinks aged more than seven years, but their cost is extremely high, they are considered collectible.

Cognac "French standard"

This is a drink made according to a specific technology, in accordance with all its inherent traditions. The name "Cognac "French Standard" 5 stars" says that this drink is strong, tart in taste due to V. S. O. P. The bottling of this brandy is carried out on the territory of Russia, but only original materials (i.e. from France) can be used. In the taste of this cognac, you can feel fruity shades, warm floral notes. The aftertaste gives honey aroma and raisins. The color of the drink can be seen through the transparent glass of the bottle - it should be copper-golden. It can rightfully be given the name "French cognac", while its price is much lower. The explanation is simple - local bottling, but not the worst quality.

Cognac "French Order"

In addition to the greatest French producers, our country also has wineries that produce high quality products, much more affordable. One of the brightest examples is the city of Kaliningrad. It is here that the factory producing the best brands of cognac, wine and various liqueurs is located.

The Order of France is a drink with five stars. This cognac is aged for five years on the territory of ourcountries. Of course, like all over the world, cognac is supplied from France, but bottling is carried out here. Thanks to this, the price of good products is significantly reduced, and the taste is impeccable and unique.

This cognac is more of a drink for men. It is quite strong and tough. It is better for the beautiful half of humanity to use cognac with fewer years of aging, when its taste is more delicate and soft. The “French Order” is beautifully packaged, such a present would be appropriate for any occasion.

How to drink brandy?

How and with what to use this drink? There is a whole art. In order to fully appreciate the taste of cognac, you will have to work hard.

1. Start with the choice of dishes. Experts recommend a tulip glass, but a traditional spherical glass may also work.
2. Before you taste the drink, you need to evaluate its color. The lighter the shade, the shorter the exposure of cognac. Color varies from straw yellow to fiery red.
3. It is necessary to inhale the aroma of cognac. You can smell both floral and fruity notes, shades of hazelnut or chestnut, citrus … After a while, shake the glass and inhale again: let the drink open up.
4. Try cognac should be in small sips. So that the whole mouth can experience its complex taste and personality.

Cognac is appropriate in a close circle, warm environment, in harmony and tranquility. As gourmets say, other drinks and separately French cognac are used separately. Reviews of connoisseurs agree that it should beroom temperature. As an addition, black coffee and a piece of chocolate are suitable.

As for dishes, nutty or creamy soufflé, our favorite charlotte and all kinds of hard cheeses go very well with cognac. It is no less successful to combine this drink with seafood and meat dishes (from veal).

But if we talk about cocktails, then tonics or other carbonated drinks are suitable for cognac. Lemon or orange juice would also be good. The proportions are taken on average 1:3, i.e. 20 ml of cognac is diluted with 60 ml of tonic or juice. Ice is welcome. It is worth noting that young cognac is recommended for making cocktails. Aged is best consumed undiluted.

Learning to choose cognac

In order not to make a mistake in choosing and buy real grape brandy, you should pay special attention to its label. Here is what is written on a bottle of quality cognac:

1. Name (it must be written that this drink is brandy).
2. Volume of the bottle.
3. The number of revolutions in percent (strength of the drink) should be indicated on the front of the label.
4. Address of the business and its legal name.
5. Belonging to an appellation (e.g. Grande Champagne Appellation Contrôlée).

The NMBK (National Interprofessional Cognac Bureau) is responsible for controlling the production and bottling of the drink. And remember: the cost in this case directly depends on the quality of the product. If you come across French cognac, the price of which is suspiciouslow, think thrice before you buy it.