How to choose Moldovan cognac?

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

Moldavian cognac, popular in Russia since the times of the USSR, is recognized primarily by its characteristic label. It depicts a white stork against the backdrop of a bunch of magnificent grapes grown under the bright sun of Moldova. How to choose the right Moldovan cognac? This question interests many consumers.

20 years earlier

When choosing cognac, some people rely on the prevailing opinion that a good, high-quality, real product can only be French. Without any doubt that the masters of Poitou-Charentes and other regions of a distant country are able to prepare a wonderful intoxicating drink, we will rightly pay tribute to the Soviet cognac masters. They made alcohol based on grapes what they needed, there was no need to occupy a fortress!

Russia began producing zest on an industrial scale two decades earlier than France. Cognac Shustov and Saradzhev (it is known that in pre-revolutionary Russia there were two manufacturers - the firms "D. Z. Saradzhev" and "K. L. Shustov with sons") firmly registered in the Frenchside, when enterprising foreigners filed a patent for the word "cognac" (fr. cognac). But a drink from Russia has never suffered from a lack of attention from connoisseurs.

Science Based

Indeed, a wonderful gift of memories stubbornly says: before the Great October Socialist Revolution, which stirred up the world in 1917, Russian cognac was the best and very common in Europe. He was loved and recognized by everyone who deigned to "eat" at least once. They chose it consciously: for the taste, aroma, pleasant golden color.

In the not so distant (Soviet) times, the production of strong grape "with asterisks" was put on a scientific basis. There were no colorful "technical conditions" - they adhered to state standards developed according to strict canons. For example, the Institute of Biochemistry of the USSR Academy of Sciences, the Moldavian Research Institute of the Food Industry studied volatile aromatic cognac compounds.

To learn how to choose the right Moldovan cognac, you need to imagine the process of its production. Cognac spirit is obtained from dry white wine by distillation. The latter is placed in an oak barrel (if it is a tank made of a different material, then oak staves must be present). Enriched with tannins, the strong drink acquires a characteristic taste and smell.

Tiraspol "Quint"

One of the well-known producers of cognacs (divins) is the Tiraspol wine and cognac factory KVINT. The company was founded in 1897.(today it is part of the Sheriff holding). The abbreviation stands for simply: “cognacs, wines and drinks of Tiraspol”. On the shelves of stores, the products of the plant are not uncommon. So Moldovan cognac does not lose its previously achieved consumer sympathy, it is chosen for its decent quality and reasonable price.

When choosing, remember that the KVINT brand combines cognacs of three categories: ordinary, vintage, collection. Long-term consumer reviews confirm: in their price category, ordinary (exposure - 3-5 years) divins are "very even nothing." The color of the contents of the cherished bottles varies from the color of weak tea to thick amber. And although they say that there are no comrades for the taste and color, many connoisseurs of divins choose the Moldavian cognac Quint.

Vintage & Collectible

Among vintage KVINT cognacs, Surprise and Doina stand out, produced according to a recipe developed in the 50-60s of the XX century. They have a harmoniously matched bouquet with citrus notes, are easy to drink, and leave a pleasant chocolate aftertaste. This also includes brands such as Tiras and Nistru.

Collection cognacs have seven names: "Tiraspol", "Victoria", "Solnechny", "Suvorov", "Chernetsky", "Jubilee" have an exposure of at least 15 years, and "Prince Wittgenstein" - 50 years. The process of maturation of special alcohols is very complicated and requires special conditions. But gourmets testify: the bouquet and aroma are magnificent. Vanilla notes sound bright, Moldovan cognac acquires a particularly delicate taste.

Cognac Quint: White Stork

Who doesn't know Moldovan cognacs? Names are heard. One of the best-selling cognac brands is White Aist. In 1979, the Government of the Moldavian SSR assigned it to the B alti plant. Then the products were bottled at other factories. After the republic's secession from the USSR, the White Stork brand registered Quint as its name. The stamp is recognized as a national treasure of Moldova.

Currently, the Moldovan cognac "White Aist" - an ordinary divin with a strength of 40% - is produced in B alti, Chisinau. A complex bouquet with floral shades is named after the white bird-protector: according to legend, storks brought bunches of grapes to the besieged Moldavian fortress, thereby saving people dying of hunger and thirst, and therefore became a symbol of Moldovan wine products.

Chisinau Wine and Cognac Factory (that was the name of the enterprise in 1959) was repeatedly reorganized and renamed. In 1983 it was the production association "AROMA". Already in the 2000s, it became a joint-stock company. The high level of management and compliance with international standards are certified. Not without reason the Moldavian cognac is famous. The White Stork is no exception.

Buy with knowledge

Moldavian cognac in Moscow can be bought both in branded and small retail outlets, as well as in online stores. The products are approved for sale on the Russian markets by Rospotrebnadzor (“Federal Agency for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare”).

Given the we alth of offerings, it's important to choose your alcohol carefully. Basic purchase rules:

1. Try to buy alcohol in specialized stores - there, at your request, you will always be presented with a quality certificate.

2. Always specify the country of origin of cognac (Divin) and the company.

3. Do not save on he alth - in any case, the price of a quality drink cannot be 30-40 percent lower than the market average.

4. Remember: the age of cognac is the time it has been in oak barrels. After bottling, the year for cognacs is “not we alth.”

5. A strong drink is not sold in plastic containers (only glass!) - there is a chemical reaction and the release of harmful substances into the liquid. Label, cork - everything should be flawless (the cork is well screwed, glue does not “leak” from under the label).

6. And, finally, in the "liquid amber" you purchase, there should not be any turbidity and sediment. Happy shopping!