History, types and features of brandy production. Brandy grape "Novokubansky": reviews

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

Many lovers of high quality drinks know this amber color and aroma. This is grape brandy. It is believed that most often it is used by men, this is not surprising, because its strength is from 35 to 70 degrees. But sometimes ladies also prefer this drink, albeit in a diluted form, as part of cocktails. Consumers leave different reviews about this drink, which is also quite natural, because there are a lot of types and brands, and people have very different opinions. Let's look into this issue in more detail.

What is brandy. History

Brandy is a strong alcoholic drink, or rather, a whole family of drinks that are made by distillation, distillation of grape juice, berry or fruit mash. There are no strict standards or production regulations. The drink can have a different strength starting from 35 degrees. The name comes from the foreign brandewijn - "distilled wine". Thus, this designation was fixed foralcohol prepared by distillation from grape or fruit wine.

There is no specific date when grape brandy appeared, but its formation is clearly connected with the development of distillation by the method of distillation. Strong alcoholic drinks were in use in ancient times - in Rome, China, Greece. As we know from history, the brandy, as we now know it, gained popularity in the XIV century. Initially, the distillation of grape wine made it easier for merchants to store and transport the drink. But then people noticed that the longer it was aged in wooden barrels, the more elegant and subtle the taste and aroma became.

Types of brandy

There are three main types of such a product:

1. Grape brandy. It is obtained by distillation of fermented grape juice. This type is divided into several types:

Cognac. France, Cognac area. With the help of distillation cubes, the drink is distilled twice. Aged in oak barrels. The most popular brands are Martel, Hennessy, Courvoisier, Remmy Martin.

Armagnac. Southwest France, Armagnac. A noble drink is obtained by long distillation through copper distillers. Then Armagnac is aged in oak barrels, and the process lasts much longer than cognac - from 12 to 20 years, there are instances with 30 years of exposure. The first alcoholic distillation drink was made in France. The most popular brand is "Marquis de Montesquieu".

Sherry brandy. South of Spain. The most popularstrong drink in Spain. Moreover, 92% of all brandy in the country is sherry.

Greek brandy (grape). The drink has been produced here since 1888. The Metaxa brand is named after the founder, Spyros Metaxa.

Grape brandy from China, South Africa, Mexico. It is made in much the same way as cognac. That is, double distillation in copper stills and subsequent aging for at least 3 years in oak barrels.

American grape brandy. It differs from European in color and strength. It is lighter and stronger. Made in California.

Armenian cognac. Produced in Armenia. In 2010, a new trade name was introduced - "Arbun". Grape alcohol produced exclusively in Armenia is used as a raw material for the drink.

Moldovan grape brandy. Stary Orden is the newest brand manufactured and exported by Euro-Alco.

2. Fruit brandy.

3. Pressed brandy.

CJSC Novokubanskoye

CJSC Novokubanskoye was founded in the last century, in 1943. In the country, this enterprise is considered the best in the production of cognac products. Brandy "Grape Novokubanskoye" is also produced here. Fans of this drink leave the most positive feedback about the taste and aroma of the product. French technology is used in its production. The company is engaged not only in production, but also in the cultivation of cognac grape varieties. The location of the vineyards is very advantageousclimatically - at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains. A unique microclimate reigns on the border between the mountainous Stavropol Territory and the plains of the Kuban: clean dry air, the smell of herbs, calm weather … All this ensures the production of an excellent harvest of wine material. Cognacs of ZAO Novokubanskoe are widely known not only in our country, but also abroad. At various competitions, drinks were awarded high awards and prizes, including the Prodexpo Grand Prix, an international exhibition.

Product range

Even in the 80s, which were difficult for the wine industry, the company continued to exist. The vineyards preserved and continued to introduce new brands of cognac into production, which still delight buyers. 2009 was marked by the release of an elite product aged 40 years. By the end of the year, a line of four cognacs under the common name "Ekaterinodar" was released. For their production, wine spirit was used, which was laid back in the last century when the enterprise was founded. In 2010, we updated the design of the bottles of the Prometheus brandy line and Pobeda cognac. In 2011, a new line of cognacs called "Big Prize" was released. In 2012 CJSC Novokubanskoye again creates a new series of drinks. In May, brandy "Grape Novokubanskoye" was released. Reviews of tasters confirmed the extraordinary taste, complex aroma. The bouquet contains shades of oak components. The unique "Novokubanskoye" contains spirits that have been aged for more than two years in oak barrels, post-blend rest - 4 years.

How grape brandy is made

Production technology is slightly different depending on the variety of raw materials. Grape brandy is made from fermented grape juice. The process begins with wine fermentation, which lasts 3-4 weeks. It turns out a liquid with a strength of 9-12 degrees. It is placed in a distillation cube and heated to a boil. The vapors formed in the process have a degree much higher than the wort itself. After distillation, the strength of the material increases three times, and the volume of liquid decreases by half. During the second distillation, alcohol is divided into fractions, cognac is medium. Cognac and Armagnac are aged for several years in an oak barrel at a humidity of up to 85% and a temperature of 18 to 20 degrees.

Pressed fruit brandy

Another variety is brandy made from grape seed and pulp. There is also brandy made from other berries and fruits. The most famous are apple calvados, slivovitz, cherry krishwasser. Most of these drinks are not aged, so they are clear. The manufacturer in such cases is obliged to indicate that the drink does not have an aging period. Some are aged for 2 years, after which they have a strength of 70 degrees. Such brandy is diluted with softened water, color, sugar syrup. At the end, the drink must be filtered.

The difference between brandy and cognac

True connoisseurs of elite alcohol should know that grape brandy and cognac are still different from each other. Cognac without a doubtbelongs to the Brandewijn variety, but there is a difference in the manufacturing technology of these products. Real cognac is prepared only from grape juice, and brandy, as we discussed above, can be distilled from any other fruit. Some craftsmen are trying to make a drink at home. Knowing the correct sequence of actions, following the recipe of technologies, this is quite possible to achieve.

Brandy has been around for many hundreds of years, but this does not affect the quality of the right drink. It does not lose its originality. Modern production uses the original technology, while retaining flavor notes and unique aromas.

How to drink properly

Over time, more and more new varieties of brandy and cognac are being produced. To correctly assess the subtlety of the drink, you need to try it correctly. Professional tasters who evaluate grape brandy leave very interesting reviews and give advice on how to taste the drink in order to feel the whole bouquet of taste and aroma.

• To make out aromatic notes, the drink must be poured into a snifter. The portion should be small - less than half the volume.
• Drink the drink in small sips, tasting is best done with friends and relatives, drink slowly, enjoy the taste.
• Hold the snifter in the palm of your hand, the warmth of your hand will warm up the drink. The best temperature is 25 degrees.
• Cognac is not accepted as a snack, but if you need it, you can serve lemon orchocolate.
• For those who do not like strong drinks, you can make cocktails, add alcohol to syrups, juices, coffee and even ice cream.
• When the taste and aroma seem too oversaturated, you can add ice cubes.

There are a lot of opinions and reviews of connoisseurs of this drink. How and with what to drink brandy - everyone decides for himself, but it still does not hurt to listen to the opinion of experts.