Marking VSOP (cognac) what does it mean? Choosing VSOP cognacs: expert advice

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

Drink of true connoisseurs of strength, floral tones and consistency truly makes you admire yourself. It is even difficult to imagine that a delicious nectar in the form of cognac can be obtained from an ordinary grunk of grapes. For the first time, the similarity of this noble drink was born in the Middle Ages in France, in the city of Cognac. Later, in honor of this locality, the product of wine distillate began to be called. The final cognac, which today pleases with its uniqueness and qualities, began to be produced in the 17th-18th centuries. An alcoholic drink is classified by aging in oak barrels: the longer it is stored, the more nobility and flavors it has, so to speak, its “growing up”. If you choose something between price and sophistication, then experts advise products with the VSOP label. This cognac is high-quality and mature, mostly light. By the way, the abbreviation itself literally stands for "Very Excellent Old Pale".

The savvy inhabitants of the homeland of this drink of the gods have perfected the Scandinavian technology of distilling their wine into grape vodka. And its aging in oak barrelsgives the finished product a special taste and characteristics.

Today, only the wine distillate that was produced in France, namely in Poitou-Charentes, in the province of Cognac, can be called cognac. Only it is considered real, in other countries they produce grape brandy.

As for V. S. O. P. brandy, it is a kind of standard, so it is not surprising that cognac masters pay special attention to this drink.

The history of VSOP cognac labeling

So there were circumstances and time that cognac was destined to be born in France - the birthplace of the most exquisite and charming white wine. Experts cannot exactly name the date of appearance of the VSOP marking. Cognac of this category was supposedly obtained at the turn of the 16th century. in the province of Cognac. In those days, local wine producers overfulfilled the plan for the production of white wine drink by 200%, which was supplied to Scandinavia and Foggy Albion. But when transporting the latter in oak barrels, it deteriorated during temperature changes. Therefore, it was decided to distill the wine into alcohol. Thus, "painless" transportation to destination countries was implied. Then it was supposed to be diluted with water, resulting in white wine. As a result, the dilution idea did not pass certification. But the inhabitants of the European northern countries fell in love with grape spirit, aged in oak barrels for several months.

Over time, winemakers have determined thatwith a longer exposure (namely in oak containers), the wine distillate acquires floral notes, and its taste and aroma are enriched. After years of testing and sampling, the drink acquired unique qualities (provided that the aging time was at least 5 years). Although the meticulous French always overdo it with storage, working on the principle "the longer it lies, the tastier and richer it is." Therefore, it is wrong to believe that VSOP cognacs have a certain exposure - period. In France, it is customary for many manufacturers to blend. The bouquet may include several varieties of different aging periods, and the most mature ones sometimes reach 25-30 years.

Cognac producers VSOP

France is famous for its cognacs all over the world. Only here this noble drink is shown special respect and pays tribute to the traditions and secrets that are passed down from generation to generation.

The birthplace of this nectar boasts a huge list of its producers, among which the following cognac houses stand out:

• "Remy Martin";
• "Hennessy";
• "Camus";
• "Gaultier";
• "Prince Hubert de Polignac";
• "Otard";
• "Courvosier";
• "Hein";
• "Hardy";
• "Frapin";
• "Martel" and more. others

Time does not spare anyone, so many elite cognac houses could not survive a certain kind of crisis. But even those that are heard today by every self-respecting expert or amateur,capable of delighting their fans with truly magical and extravagant masterpieces. Among these, one can distinguish cognac "Remy Martin VSOP", which has a certain bewitching charisma and unearthly taste.

Some features of VSOP cognac production

In order for VSOP cognac to delight connoisseurs with its rich and rich flavor notes, and its amber color to play with tints in the sun, it is necessary to follow a certain production technology.

First of all, it must be made only from white grape varieties: Ugni Blanc; Folle Blanche; Colombard.

And if the above varieties are not used to make delicious white wine for sale (due to high acidity), then they are ideal for cognacs! Also, this wine contains a low percentage of alcohol, so it is excellent for double distillation, which is why the drink - the same product of the VSOP label (cognac) - becomes so unique.

Meticulous French manufacturers are in awe of the smallest details and signs. Therefore, since ancient times it has gone so that all the wine from which alcohol will be driven must be harvested in the autumn. Alcohol can be driven until March 31 next year, since from April 1, the distillation of last year's wine is strictly prohibited.

Tedious and lengthy manufacturing processes ultimately affect the final price of VSOP cognac.

Exposure conditions

An important condition and a distinctive feature of the alcohol we are considering is that the drink must be stored in oak barrels,wood which does not contain tannin. For these purposes, raw materials from the forests of the Limousin region are used. The minimum barrel aging period is 4.5 years. French masters sometimes neglect this rule, keeping their drink a little longer - 5-7 years. Sometimes they make a blend by adding cognacs aged 8-25 years, which gives the product a special taste and originality. Naturally, this combination will not make XO cognac out of it. VSOP products will not be able to compete with him, this is quite understandable. But notes of elite cognac spirits will still appear.

Special distinguishing conditions for aging VSOP cognac is high humidity in the cellar, which contributes to a fantastic taste, aroma and amber color.

Storage and features of VSOP cognacs

Any drink requires special attention. VSOP cognac is stored in cellars, where the humidity should be more than 80%. The most successful option is their location near rivers or lakes, where the highest proportion of moisture.

Double distillation makes VSOP cognac too strong (over 70 degrees). Even storage in oak barrels for 5 years does not reduce the level of the degree to an acceptable level (usually the evaporation percentage for 1 year is about 5.0).

To reduce the strength of alcohol, elite cognac houses ask their craftsmen to add spring water before bottling. Simpler manufacturers use regular distilled water.

Cognac, aged in barrels for 5-6 years, after bottling becomes a product of the categoryVSOP, thus becoming an elite drink.

But the most distinctive feature of VSOP cognacs is that no matter where and by whom they were produced - this category should be recognizable anywhere in the world. Therefore, for masters, the cooking process is a kind of masterpiece, in which there is no place for miscalculations or oversights.

Expert advice on choosing cognacs VSOP

In the world today there are a large number of connoisseurs and experts in cognac. Expert opinions regarding the choice of a particular brand vary due to personal awareness and experience. But they all agree that when buying a drink with the VSOP label, you need to consider the following points:

1. Price category. Everyone knows that real cognac is produced only in France, in the province of the same name. The rest of the countries don't count. The average cost of VSOP cognac ranges from 30-100 US dollars. And it couldn't be cheaper!



2. Color. Only real cognac of the VSOP category can have a delicate (when there is no caramel in the composition) and dark (when blended with long-aged cognacs) amber hue.
3. Brand. World-famous cognac houses and their masterpiece drinks (for example, Courvoisier VSOP cognac) do not need advertising.
4. Lightness of aroma - a real "Frenchman" has an exquisite and delicate aroma of wild flowers and the absence of a strong smell of alcohol. A unique taste and a long pleasant aftertaste can debunk everythingdoubts about the authenticity of the above drink.

The best VSOP cognacs from the most famous houses

In France, old traditions and secrets are honored. Small cognac houses can boast of a drink made from their own raw materials (their own vineyards and their own alcohol) and "grown" by their craftsmen. In this case, cognac can be considered the best, as the specialist makes it from his own wine distillate.

Famous cognac houses due to their huge size are forced to buy raw materials from local winemakers. But this does not make the quality of the final product any worse. Since every self-respecting house controls the production and storage of products.

Today, VSOP branded cognac, which costs less than $30, cannot be called a quality product from the best cognac companies in France. Therefore, before buying, you should familiarize yourself with certain information so as not to purchase a fake.

Among the best VSOP cognacs are:

• "Hennessy";
• "Remy Martin";
• "Martel";
• "Courvosier";
• "Otard".

Description and expert advice on cognac category VSOP "Remy Martin"

Included in the list of the best in France. Cognac house "Remy Martin" was founded in the middle of the 18th century. Its production capacity speaks for itself - second in the world in terms of sales. Cognac "Remy Martin" (VSOP) combines quality, tradition and full control over the course of the entire production.

Buying most of the raw materials from local residents, this "giant" does not allow to doubt its quality. Cognac VSOP has a rich, bright bouquet with the aroma of fresh violets and roses, complemented by hints of peaches and vanilla.

Experts advise when buying to pay attention to the color of the bottle (green, covered with "hoarfrost") and the price category (if the buyer has real Remy Martin VSOP cognac, its price should be at least $ 70). The color is predominantly bright amber.

This drink is good paired with seafood (Chinese cuisine is in high esteem), cheese and a cigar.

Served at 20 degrees. It is recommended to use in its pure form.

Description and expert advice on cognac products labeled VSOP: "Otard"

In the history of France there is a place for beautiful legends that tell about the origin of this or that drink. So, thanks to Baron Otard at the end of the 18th century. cognac "Otard VSOP" was born with an exposure of at least 4 years. Today the concern is the cognac giant of the country, producing one of the best drinks of the above category. The aging period of this type of cognac is at least 5 years.

When choosing, pay attention to the following:

• price (at least $30);
• beautiful iridescent amber shade;
• original falling droplet bottle style;
• red carton with logo.

Ripening in the huge cellars of Baron Otard's castle, cognac is blended with age-old drinks (10-12 years old) and "saturated" with old traditions of the past, turning into exquisite nectar for aristocrats.

The bouquet is complex, with aromas of oak, wildflowers and walnuts.

Recommended with cheese and chocolate.

Description and expert advice on cognacs labeled VSOP: "Hennessy"

Is the country's leader in the production of brandy. It has been producing the most delicious products of the VSOP category since the middle of the 18th century. Thanks to the presence of such a master cognac craft as Jean Filet, this drink has a truly royal quality. The house "Hennessy" has its own plantations of vineyards. Under the strict guidance of Filet, masterpieces of this category are produced.

A real cognac "Hennessy VSOP" should have the following features:

1. Color: bright rich amber.
2. Original colorless container and black packaging with the image of a bottle of cognac.
3. Price: at least $70.

Tasting this cognac is a pleasure. Indispensable and ideal in a narrow company of friends.

A complex bouquet with hints of flowers and leather, wild berries, nuts and fresh fruits. Long and pleasant vanilla aftertaste.

Description and expert advice on cognac category VSOP "Courvoisier"

The history of the cognac house begins in the 19th century. Thanks to the French aristocrat Emmanuel Courvoisier, the beginning of the production of wines was laid,and then cognac. Currently, true connoisseurs of this wonderful drink can enjoy a real work of winemaking art.

Today, the Courvoisier distillery is in the top 4 largest cognac producers in France. Specialists of the house worked for a long time to create a masterpiece. As a result, they received a magnificent cognac "Courvoisier VSOP", the price of which today is at least $75.

When buying, you should pay attention to the shape of the bottle (it should be stretched in the neck), the color of the drink (dark amber with mahogany overflow) and the label (the name of the house in golden letters on a blue background).

Local winemakers use the old secrets of the production of this kind of alcohol. So, according to tradition, honey and vanilla are added to a barrel of cognac, then it is blended with mature drinks (12-15 years old), which gives the finished product a divine taste, aroma and dark red hue.

As soon as you open the cork, the first thing you will notice is the aroma of freshly cut oak and fruit, turning into vanilla and roasted nuts.

Cognac prices VSOP

Perfection has its price! Experts and specialists say that quality is not measured by price, real cognac simply attracts the buyer to itself. Thanks to "well-wishers" who began to copy the manufacturing technology of original products, France had to patent the right to produce cognacs.

Respect for tradition, use of production secrets,the perfect work of cognac masters allows the French to produce only the best. Of course, the final cost of such masterpieces cannot be low.

Therefore, VSOP cognac, which costs less than $30 a bottle today, is not worth even the slightest attention from the buyer. Acceptable cost of production - 30-100 dollars. And this is subject to all the requirements for identifying their authenticity and excluding fakes.

Therefore, cognac "Remy Martin VSOP", the price of which today is about $ 70 per bottle of 0.7 liters, can be safely considered French. And get real pleasure from tasting it.

Reviews

There are a lot of connoisseurs of this unique drink in the world. Among them there are those who love VSOP cognac. Reviews about him are left by both fans and ill-wishers. The first admire its perfection and taste. The latter are criticized for being too expensive and lacking the difference from local brandy.

Talking about the correspondence between price and quality, it should be noted that in order to afford loud statements and epithets, you need to be a specialist in this field. If the words are based only on personal assessments, not confirmed by knowledge and qualifications, then all comments regarding such an alcoholic drink as VSOP cognac can not be taken seriously.

Many true connoisseurs believe that it is impossible not to love him. It's just that a person has not yet grown up to such a "divine" nectar.

Today bottles with the inscription"Cognac" can be seen on the shelves of shops in any corner of the globe, and almost always it will be an authentic drink made in France (with the exception of the CIS countries, where copyright laws do not apply).