Calorie cognac and its composition

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

Cognac is a noble drink named after a town in one of the southwestern provinces of France, where its history began. This is an original French strong alcoholic product obtained by distillation of white wines and further aging in oak barrels.

Invention of the drink

Already in the XII century in the southern regions of France, several large vineyards were created, intended exclusively for the production of wine, which was delivered by sea to the countries of Northern Europe. When transporting wines, they poorly retained their consumer properties, and in the 17th century new technologies for preparing for transportation were introduced. The finished product was distilled before being exported. Such wine did not change its properties after a long journey by sea. Moreover, the distilled drink had a richer taste and aroma compared to the usual one. After delivery, it was diluted, increasing in volume, which significantly reduced the cost of transportation.

One of the French winemakers noticed that distilled wine, aged during transportation in oak barrels, acquired a new, original taste. After experimenting, he proposed to increase the periodextracts of wine distillate in oak barrels and subsequently use it undiluted. In the 19th century, not only in the parent city called Cognac, but also in other localities of France, undiluted wine distillate, aged in oak barrels, was bottled in glass bottles and sold as a product different from wine. The emergence of a new spirit has contributed to a significant increase in the number of vineyards, where they grew new varieties that are resistant to diseases and atmospheric conditions.

Where cognac is produced

Currently, cognac drink is made in Georgia, Armenia, the North Caucasus, as well as in Spain, Greece and other countries. But according to the rules for European producers and trade, only French producers are allowed to use the name Cognac on the drink label.

Drinks produced in other countries are called "brandy" as a kind of cognac drink. The calorie content of cognac and brandy is different due to the use of different raw materials.

Production technology and types

Cognac is made from special varieties of white grapes: Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, Colombard. The grapes are harvested in mid-October, after which the grapes are pressed and sent for fermentation for several weeks, and then the resulting material is distilled. For real cognac, the use of substances that enhance fermentation, such as sugar or sulfates, is absolutely excluded in the production process. Duringdistillation separates a fraction with an alcohol content of 69-72%, which is then aged in oak barrels and eventually becomes cognac. The shortest period of aging of cognac material in oak barrels is 30 months.

In order to improve the color of the final product, it is allowed to use caramel or alcohol tincture on oak shavings. The color of the finished cognac or brandy, if the product is made outside of France, can vary from light amber to light brown with a golden hue. The drink should be transparent, without impurities and inclusions of an oily consistency. The strength of cognac must be at least 40%. Depending on the age of the drink, which can vary from three to six years, cognac is distinguished 3 stars, four, five and six. Each of these drinks has its own unique taste. The aging period and the type of raw materials used in the manufacture largely affect how many calories are in cognac.

When labeling vintage cognacs older than six years, instead of stars on the label, abbreviations are used: KV (drink age at least six years), KVVK (premium cognac aged at least eight years), KS (elite old cognac, whose age over ten years). In total, there are about 2,000 well-known cognac houses that make this drink the most famous. Of these, we should highlight Hennessy ("Hennessy"), Remy Martin ("Remy Martin"), Martell ("Martel"), Bisquit ("Biscuit").

Composition, properties and caloric content of cognac

The composition of cognacsquite varied. The main constituents are alcohols, organic acids and ethyl esters. The composition of cognac is a unique natural structure, thanks to which it is able to have a beneficial effect on the body. The drink has antioxidant properties due to the content of biologically active substances in it. So, the presence of tannin and tannins in its structure contributes to better absorption of vitamin C by the body. Tannins also have an anti-inflammatory effect. It should also be noted that when drinking this drink, one should take into account the calorie content of cognac, which is 235-240 kcal per 100 grams.

This noble drink dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. It improves appetite and the production of gastric juice, and in some cases even eliminates stomach cramps. Naturally, the better brandy, the better it affects the body. A warm drink with honey and lemon is effective against colds and sore throats. A few drops of brandy added to black tea are said to boost the immune system.

The calorie content of cognac largely depends on its type and aging time. There are no proteins or fats in this drink. The carbohydrate content does not exceed three percent. The composition of cognac in terms of components can be summarized as follows: alcohol - at least 33 g per hundred grams of drink, water, dietary fiber, mono- and disaccharides, minerals (potassium, calcium, sodium). These components are basic, but may vary depending onmanufacturer and recipe.

How much does cognac cost

Currently, there are several thousand cognac houses in the world that produce products in the widest range. The cost of traditional cognacs most often depends on the price of raw materials, the manufacturability of production, aging and the significance of the brand. Thus, the cost of an ordinary bottle of cognac, for example, of Armenian production, can start from 41 US dollars, while the price of a drink of any French house will not fall below 200 conventional units. There are elite types of cognacs, the cost of which can exceed 1 million. Over a century old, these varieties are made by the finest cognac houses, and stocks of some of them are limited.

Thus, the top ten most expensive cognacs are opened by a drink worth $4,700 (Courvoisier L'Esprit Decanter), and the palm belongs to Henri IV, Cognac Grande Champagne - the cost of one jeweled bottle is $1,875,000.

How they drink cognac

It's not easy to average the value and standardize how many calories are in cognac, but this factor should be taken into account when drinking. This drink is drunk at room temperature. It is not chilled like vodka, and it is not heated so that some of the flavor does not evaporate. Cognac glasses are traditionally wide and squat in shape, spherical, narrowed towards the top. Such a vessel is comfortably held in the palm of your hand, while the drink is warmed by the warmth of the hand. It is recommended to uncork a bottle of cognac half an hour before drinking, thisallows the fragrance to spread throughout the room. The French traditionally prefer the combination of cognac with chocolate and cigars. In Russia, there was a tradition to drink cognac with a piece of fresh or candied lemon.