How to choose Russian cognac: tips and reviews from experts

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

Since ancient times, connoisseurs of cognac have been arguing about the traditions of its use and the various shades of the bouquet. It has always been considered and is still considered an elite drink. Cognac was put on the table in the house, where they wanted to emphasize the high status of the owner. Recently, the assortment has expanded so much that people have begun to think more often about the taste and quality of their favorite drink.

History of Russian cognac

At the end of the nineteenth century, a strong grape drink was first exported from Kizlyar, which was obtained at a local wine and vodka smoking plant. At that time, cognac factories already existed in Yerevan, Kutaisi and Tbilisi, but it is impossible to assume that these are factories producing Russian cognac, although these cities were part of the first Russian Empire, and then the USSR. Further, the development of cognac business took place in two completely different directions. On the one hand, factories were built in the Stavropol Territory and the Caucasus (the famous Kizlyar Cognac Factory). In these areas, climatic conditions made it possible to grow grapes, which was necessaryfor the production of cognac products. On the other hand, enterprises were built in the Urals, in Siberia, in the Far East in order to process alcohol obtained in the southern regions of the country.

Why is Russian cognac considered low quality?

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, well-established trade and logistics ties, even within the country, were irretrievably lost and destroyed. Russian cognac factories lost their usual wine spirits and, accordingly, began to look for a replacement for them abroad. Unfortunately, when Russian cognac was produced (five stars or less - it doesn’t matter), first of all, cheap analogues of alcohol of dubious characteristics were used for its manufacture. It is the low quality of budget Russian cognac that has become the reason that there is no particular confidence in it.

Brandy factories in Russia

But, in spite of everything, production companies have remained and still exist in Russia, which use their own raw material base and produce Russian cognac (five stars) on its basis. Reviews about him are very versatile: neutral, negative and laudatory.

Main cognac factories in Russia:

1. Kizlyarsky.
2. Derbent.
3. Novokubansk.
4. Praskoveisky.

The first two cognac factories account for the bulk of the drinks.

Excerpt

According to experts, this is the most importantstage in the manufacturing process. The taste characteristics of such an elite drink as Russian five-year-old cognac largely depend on the duration of exposure: its quality and variety of smells.

Experts in their reviews recommend evaluating the exposure time. Buying for a person little versed in this matter is akin to participating in a lottery draw. Indeed, on the one hand, well-known well-known brands, such as Hennessy and others, have a very impressive cost and are replete with beautiful inscriptions like V. S. or V. S. O. P., and on the other hand, domestic cognacs with an incomprehensible abbreviation "KV" are much more modest both in price and in appearance.

Soviet classification

There is a certain classification of elite alcohol, for example, the inscription V. S. indicates a two-year-old cognac, V. S. O. P. - for four years, etc. In Russia, they use a different classification that has existed since Soviet times.

The minimum aging period for cognac in the USSR was three years. A drink aged one year can be easily distinguished by the number of stars on the bottle label. There are three, four or five stars. This is what distinguishes Russian cognac - the number of stars shows the aging time of the drink.

Vintage cognacs are more expensive elite Russian alcohol. They are designated by letters:

1. KV - cognac aged for at least six years.
2. KVVK - cognac aged for at least eight years, high quality.
3. KS - oldcognac aged for at least ten years.
4. OS is a very old cognac, aged for at least twenty years.

Collectible types include drinks aged over twenty-three years. Now that the abbreviation on the bottle label has become clear, you can draw your own conclusions about the exposure time and the reasonableness of the price. And in a sense, it will become much easier to choose Russian cognac. Reviews will also help you choose a quality drink.

Expert opinions and consumer choice

For the preparation of cognac cognac spirits of various aging are used. In our country, the drink is prepared according to traditional classical technology.

Russian five-year cognac is especially popular and in demand among consumers. Reviews of numerous domestic tasters and experts indicate that this is a drink with a rich aroma and with the taste of almonds present in it. In addition, there is a slight presence of honey in it. But not only excellent taste qualities, according to experts, distinguish Russian cognac from others. The elite drink has a wonderful amber color, which not all even the most expensive types can boast of.

Cognac production

The production technology of cognac is quite simple, the drink is based on real grape alcohol. In practice, they also use the usual one, since demand far exceeds supply. To prepare Russian cognac, it is necessary to carry out ionization of water, that is, to thoroughly clean it of impurities. The liquid passes through a specialfilter. At this stage, water changes its ionic composition and is purified several times. Next, cognac spirits are mixed with sugar syrup, color, fragrant alcohol and pure water. As a result, bottles of the Russian amber-colored drink appear on store shelves.

Expert reviews testify to the worthy taste characteristics of the Russian drink. In their opinion, domestic cognac can easily compete with foreign elite alcohol.

Cognac spirit aging

Cognac alcohol is aged in oak barrels. During the year of this procedure, it evaporates by 0.5%. Oak containers should not have any metal parts that may come into contact with the liquid. After some time, five-year-old Russian cognac (five stars) will be obtained, but until this moment some manipulations are carried out with alcohol. In barrels, lignin, carbohydrates, various tannins and other components found in oak wood are mixed. Proper mixing in the future will have a beneficial effect on the quality of an amber drink with a unique range of aromas. After aging cognac spirits are filtered. But this happens only after they are treated with cold (temperature -12 degrees) for 10 days. Only after these above-described procedures, the cognac is bottled in branded bottles and delivered to the retail chain.

How to check the quality? Pro Tips

The variety of cognac on store shelves does not surprise anyone. On thetoday you can choose any country that produces this original drink, as well as what you can afford. Unfortunately, the best Russian cognac (5 stars), which is in high demand, quite often becomes the object of numerous fakes. In their appearance, analogues are not much different from the original.

How to check if the cognac is of high quality or not? Here are some ways that experts in this matter advise:

1. It is necessary to turn upside down an unopened bottle of cognac. Now you need to look at the bottom inside. A sufficiently dense and large drop of drink should fall from it. It is believed that in low-grade and low-quality cognac, drops from the bottom simply flow down the walls.
2. Having poured a certain amount of cognac into a glass, you need to lean your thumb against one of its sides. Then you need to look at it through the walls of the glass. A fingerprint should be visible through the cognac drink. This means that the cognac is of excellent quality.
3. It is necessary to turn the glass with cognac in your hands and at the same time watch how the drink streams flow down its walls. Ideally, this should happen slowly and form large droplets.

Experts tell you how to choose a good cognac

There are several fairly simple ways to choose a wonderful drink. Russian cognac (five stars) is not cheap. Although sometimes for decent money you can buy a surrogate of unknown origin. Experts say it is advisable to buyelite drinks in large supermarkets or specialized stores, where an experienced sommelier will offer and select for each customer everything he wants. If you have any doubts, be sure to ask the sellers for a certificate of quality for a particular brandy.

Before you pay for the selected purchase, you must inspect the bottle. It should be branded with embossed glass. The label must be glued perfectly evenly, in addition, excise stamps must be present on the bottle of cognac. Usually there are two of them: regional and federal. It is advisable not to purchase cognac, the label of which indicates that it contains distillation alcohol and various flavors. The bottle must be closed with a wooden cork or a cork made of pressed crumbs. This is a prerequisite, by these signs you can easily determine whether a fake is in front of you or an original.

Very often cognac is packed in beautiful boxes or special tubes. You need to get a bottle and see what kind of amber drink is inside. When examining cognac liquid, it is important to pay attention to transparency. Cognac should be without sediment and turbidity. If after opening the bottle you feel an unusual smell, feel free to return it to the store and demand a refund.

Cognac is preferred by many gourmets. Its pleasant mild taste and light aftertaste will be a great addition to any holiday or significant event.