2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14
Cognac is a very strong alcoholic drink made using a certain technology. It is obtained as a result of double distillation (distillation) of white wine and its subsequent aging in special containers. Classification of cognac, depending on the place of its production, quality, blending can be very diverse.
In this article, we will take a closer look at this issue.
Production and storage conditions
Yearly in the month of October, juice is pressed from young grapes. It is poured into containers, where the fermentation of the drink begins. This process continues until a completely clear wine is obtained. Then the future cognac is distilled in a special apparatus. For better maturation of cognac spirits, the drink is poured into oak barrels. For a long time, he is kept in special rooms at a certain temperature regime. The aging process can take about fifty years. Oak wood enriches cognac with certain components and significantly accelerates redox processes. Air enters the wine through the pores of the barrels, formingthis new aromatic bouquet. As a result, the drink acquires a characteristic taste and a unique golden color, viscosity disappears. In the process of aging cognac acquires new flavors. After ten years, tar-vanilla tones are fully manifested.
Classification of French cognacs
The division into the following types is developed by the National Interprofessional Beverage Bureau. When purchasing French-made alcohol, you should pay attention to the Latin capital letters indicated on the label. V. S is the so-called three stars.
Drinks with this abbreviation, as a rule, have an exposure of more than two and a half years. Labels with Latin letters V. O. are placed on the oldest cognacs in France. The classification of elite alcohol, as a rule, is made by exposure. So, for example, the symbols V. S. O. P indicate a very high-quality alcohol. It has a light tint. Storage of such drinks in a barrel lasts at least four years. Cognacs marked V. V. S. O. P. - more seasoned (about five years), and, therefore, much better in quality. Extra Old (E. O) drinks are among the oldest. Their endurance is not less than six years. At the same time, the following words are often found in the name of alcohol: Hors d'age, Extra, Tres Vieux, Napoleon, Vieille Reserve.
Luxury Views
For drinks older than six years, the classification of cognac by aging is not carried out. The National Interprofessional Bureau explains it quite simply. The point is that blendingalcohol with such exposure is impossible to control. Elite drinks are a special pride of French cognac houses. On average, their age reaches 30-60 years. For this kind of alcohol, the traditional classification of cognac does not apply. As a rule, in the name of elite wines proper names are used: "Hine Family Reserve", "Remi Martin Louis XIII", "Camus Jubilee", etc.
French manufacturers
Cognac drinks of this amazing country are considered the best in the world.
Today, there are several large producers of quality alcohol. The market leader is the Hennessy brand, founded in 1765. Producers of "Remy Martin" are focused exclusively on the creation of elite alcohol. In 1835, cognacs of the Courvoisier brand were born, supplied for the needs of the French imperial court. The drinks "Hein" (1763), "Gowter" (1755) and "Martel" (1715) are of excellent quality.
Place of origin
It's no secret that French cognacs, popular all over the world, have a special noble taste and unique exquisite aroma. The classification of these drinks is also carried out depending on the region in which the alcohol was produced. The name "Grande Champagne" indicates that the spirit was created in the province of Grande Champagne. It is here that the most delicate and delicate grapes are grown. The inscription "Fine Champagne" means that the cognac is made from a mixture of fruits grown in Petite and Grande Champagne in a 50/50 ratio.
Other regions in which the grapes were grown are usually not indicated.
Classification of Russian cognacs
In the Russian Federation and the countries of the former CIS, the following division has been adopted.
- Ordinary cognac drinks. Their exposure is from three to five years. The sugar content in such samples is not more than 1.5%, and the proportion of alcohol is about 40%. Ordinary cognacs are marked with a certain number of stars, usually from three to five. On average, this type of drink is aged for up to 5 years. Ordinary cognacs with special names have a volume fraction of alcohol of about 42%, sugar - 1.5%. Their endurance - no more than 4 years. These drinks are marked with four stars.
- Vintage cognacs are aged for more than six years. These drinks have their own names. The sugar content in alcohol is about 2.5%, and alcohol is in the range of 40-50%. In turn, vintage drinks are divided into several varieties. The classification of cognac of this type is as follows: KV - alcohol, aged for at least six years; KVVK - drinks of the highest quality. On average, their exposure is about eight years. OS and KS are very old cognacs. They have an endurance of 10-15 years.
- There are also collectible drinks. They are ready-made vintage cognacs, additionally aged after blending in oak barrels for about three years.
Division by taste
In the countries of the former USSR, depending on the aromatic bouquet of alcohol, there is the following classificationcognac. The first group includes drinks produced in Azerbaijan ("Gek-Gel", "Baku"), Armenia ("Otborny", "Jubilee"), Uzbekistan and Dagestan.
The alcohol of these countries has a strong aroma, increased extractivity and vanilla tones. The second group includes cognacs made in the Krasnodar Territory and Georgia (brands "Yeniseli", "Sakartvelo", "Tbilisi", "Vardzia"). They are extractive, fresh, light, with floral tones. The third group includes Moldovan ("Sunny", "Festive", "Doina", "Surprise", "Kishinev", "Codru") and Ukrainian drinks. They are harmonious, have a peculiar bouquet, a delicate vanilla aroma. In addition, they are less extractive than the spirits of Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The world of fine spirits is very diverse. We hope this cognac classification will help you deal with the problem of choice more easily.
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