The name of this noble strong alcoholic drink was given by the eponymous city - Cognac, the Charente region. A drink made in another region even using the absolutely correct classical technology does not have the right to be called cognac. This is brandy, which does not make the contents of the bottle worse. The history of the drink dates back centuries. Production technology has been mastered in many countries, but real elite cognac can only be French.
Drink history
This region was famous for its vineyards in the XII century. The Dutch began to distill wine in the 16th century, so that it could be transported by sea over long distances, followed by dilution with water. The wine distillate had a very rich taste and aroma, and the double distillation subsequently made it even better. Gradually, the distillate begins to drink undiluted, but only by the middle of the XIX century it began to be sold not in barrels, but in bottles as a self-sufficient drink, ready to drink. Elite cognac today is made mainly from Uni Blanc grapes.
Classification of cognacs
Depending on the exposure, there is the following classification of cognacs :
- VS - more than 2 years.
- VSOP - more than 4 years.
- VVSOP - more than 5 years.
- XO - more than 6 years.
In addition, there is a division of ordinary cognacs into classes:
- Three stars. Extract of alcohol for more than 3 years, and the strength of the drink - 40%.
- Four stars. Extract of alcohol for more than 4 years, and the strength of the drink - 41%.
- Five Stars. Extract of alcohol for more than 5 years, and the strength of the drink - 42%.
For vintage cognacs there is a classification:
- HF Extract of alcohol is 6-7 years old, and the strength of the drink is from 42%.
- KVVK. Extract of alcohol is 8-10 years old, and the strength of the drink is 43-45%.
- The cop. Extract of alcohol for more than 10 years, and the strength of the drink - 40-57%.
In the first place - an elite collection of French cognac, which is aged in oak barrels for an additional five years.
Production technology
Elite cognac in France is made from grapes harvested in one of the six zones around the city of Cognac. The most expensive drink is obtained from grapes grown in Grand Champagne and Petite Champagne. The price of raw materials decreases as they move away from these two zones. In total, the vineyards of the Charente region occupy about 90 thousand hectares.
Elite cognac, whose brands are known all over the world, is produced in four stages:
- production of wine material from grapes;
- distillation of wine material, production of cognac alcohol;
- aging cognac alcohol in oak barrels;
- blend of cognac.
Elite cognacs of France
The world leader, the manufacturer of magnificent cognacs with more than two hundred years of history - Hennessy Cognac House. Its history began in the XVIII century. Today the whole world is enjoying this drink. Hennessy House produces about 50 million bottles a year. This is really an elite cognac (photo below).
The second largest but even older Cognac House of France is Rémy Martin. It was founded in the XVII century. But the oldest in the world is Augier.
The world famous brand of Camus cognac is still owned by family members of Jean Baptiste Camus. The vineyards of this venerable family occupy 125 hectares of French land. This drink is often faked. You can buy the original elite Camus cognac only in expensive specialized stores.
Napoleon also preferred to drink Courvoisier. The special production technology is kept secret. For wealthy drink connoisseurs, the Courvoisier House can offer cognac with aging for more than 200 years.
Davidoff is especially popular. This is a very young brand, founded in 1964. Initially, it was a trademark of cigarettes and cigars, and cognac under this name appeared later as an addition to good cigars. Nevertheless, this drink very soon gained popularity among wealthy people. They produce Davidoff cognac from Hennessy alcohols.
Consumption culture
Cognac is a classic digestif, that is, it should be drunk after eating. Combine it with coffee, chocolate and cigars. It is added to many desserts. The taste and aroma of the drink in combination with olives, grapes, cheeses is well revealed .
Drinking cognac taken from wide glasses, narrowed up. The glass is filled by about one-eighth and warmed by the warmth of the hands - this will maximize the aroma of the drink.
Eating cognac with lemon or diluting with Coca-Cola is almost blasphemy. However, this is how often they drink it in Russia. In the USA, the drink is diluted with tonic or water, in the UK - with soda. In Germany, cognac is drunk both after and before meals.
Cognac based cocktails
They also make a variety of cocktails, which include this drink. Probably the most popular of them, especially in the cold season, is cognac punch. The easiest way to cook: just mix 1 liter of apple juice with 125 g of brandy. Punch is also prepared with the addition of vodka, lemons, oranges, water and sugar. For 400 ml of brandy, 500 ml of vodka, 2 liters of water, 10 lemons, 3 oranges, 1 kg of sugar are taken. Sliced fruits are mixed with sugar and infused in boiling water for several hours. Then you should add vodka and cognac and strain the punch. A delicious cocktail is made on the basis of coffee and cognac. The ingredients are mixed in a 2: 1 ratio, then sugar syrup and orange zest are added to taste.
There are many recipes for interesting cognac-based cocktails . To prepare them, they use various strong liquors, and vodka, and champagne, and fruit juices. This is a great field for experimenting with tastes and aromas. But if we are talking about elite vintage or collection French cognacs, then it is better to enjoy a clean drink, its color and aroma, aftertaste and a play of light in a glass, warmth that spreads over the body, and a sense of peace and bliss.