In the ranking of the most popular and noble alcoholic beverages, cognac takes a leading place. However, often this name is assigned to what, in essence, is ordinary alcohol. After all, there is an eternal problem: what has gained popularity begins to fake over time. So what is cognac made of?
Cognac alcohol - the main component
Probably everyone knows that they make cognac from brandy alcohol. But how is this important component produced?
First of all, you need to create the perfect wine material. And to be more precise, the usual grape juice. Most often, white grape varieties are used. To get brandy alcohol, it is worth making wort from wine material. For a month, the raw materials must undergo fermentation processes in special containers and under a water lock.
First distillation
When the liquid is fermented, a period of repeated distillation begins. This allows you to get a solution with a sufficiently high concentration of alcohol. It is at this stage that it is necessary to take into account that the concentration does not increase in solution, but in pairs. The finished wine material in distillation cubes is heated to boiling point. This is a traditional method of making this drink. If the production of cognac alcohol is carried out at home, then it should be borne in mind that the boiling temperature of the solution differs from the boiling temperature of water. Here, this indicator can be from 83 to 93 ° C.
The second distillation of wine material
The second distillation takes place in a special apparatus. It provides for water heating. At this stage, the solution is divided into fractions - components. There are 4 of them in all. First, the head fraction is distinguished, and then the middle one - it is it that is cognac alcohol. This solution is quite suitable for creating an alcoholic drink. After the tail fraction is isolated, the spent liquid will remain in the distillation cube. This stage of production of cognac alcohol is very important. It should be approached with all responsibility. Indeed, the quality of the final product depends on how quickly the distillation process takes place and how clearly the fractions are separated. At this stage, it is very important to separate them correctly.
Wine Fractions
The head fraction has a strength of 82 to 84%, an unpleasant and quite sharp smell. It contains a lot of esters, aldehydes and higher alcohols. It takes 20-40 minutes to isolate this fraction. At the same time, about 3% of raw is spent.
In the production of brandy alcohol at home, it is necessary to pay special attention to the separation of the middle fraction. Select it only after weakening the pungent odor. At the same time, at the beginning, the fortress can be from 74 to 77 percent, and in the end - from 60 to 70%. This part of the wine material accounts for significantly more alcohol. Its volume is about 35%.
Gradually, the strength of the distillate decreases. The tail fraction is allocated at a fortress of 50 to 40%. This part of wine material makes up 17–23 percent of the total volume. The waste liquid makes up only 37–52% of the initial volume.
How to stand brandy alcohol
When the solution is fractionated, you can proceed to the next step. Extract of cognac spirits is carried out in special oak barrels. Pour in them only the middle fraction. It is worth remembering that this is not cognac. The resulting liquid is odorless, has a weak aroma, burning taste, which is simply unacceptable for this drink. To get cognac, you still need a lot of effort, time, as well as following certain rules. Only after aging can we talk about the readiness of a noble drink.
In order for cognac alcohol to turn into the highest quality alcohol, it must be properly maintained. Oak containers should not be filled to the very top. It is necessary to leave free about 2% of the total volume of the barrel. This is necessary in case the cognac alcohol expands after heating. Tanks should be filled at a temperature of 18 to 20 ° C. This point is also very important. After the barrels are filled, they should be covered with paraffin and hammered with tongues. To stand the drink is at a temperature of 15-23 ° C. As for air humidity, it should be from 75 to 85%. The main thing is to ensure that the room does not have sudden changes in temperature.
How long can brandy stand
Probably everyone knows that the quality of the finished brandy depends on the time spent on aging the alcoholic beverage. Of course, it’s not enough just to pour raw material into oak containers and forget about them for several years. Throughout the entire aging period, brandy alcohol must be added to the barrels annually. You also need to check all parameters: alcohol content, acidity, color, and more. An alcoholic beverage is made from cognac alcohol, which was aged for 3-5 years.
It is worth noting that you need to monitor not only the condition of the drink, but also the containers in which it is stored. Barrels should be carefully examined for cracks and traces of smudges. If at least one of the signs appears, the capacity should be replaced.
Barrels for aging brandy alcohol
Typically, brandy alcohol is aged in oak barrels. Such containers are made of wood, whose age is at least 70 years. The oak is cut, sawn into bars, and then chopped into thin plates. At the same time, there should be no knots on the material, as they can affect the properties of wood.
Why oak? Throughout the entire exposure time of cognac alcohol in containers of this material, the drink receives all the necessary tannins and coloring substances that are available in wood. In this case, partial oxidation of the liquid and the formation of ethers occur. It is these substances that make cognac tastier and give the drink an unforgettable aroma. In addition, experts argue that it is the oak tree that removes many harmful components from the drink.
Finally
Now you know how to make brandy alcohol at home. However, do not forget that getting really tasty cognac is not so simple. The preparation of this drink requires a lot of time, a lot of cost and patience. It is also important to properly approach the entire process. Do not rush. Otherwise, you will get a regular brandy with a high concentration. Cognac alcohol is the main component in the manufacture of this delicious cognac. Its strength is usually from 60 to 70%.
Most often brandy alcohol is diluted with softened or distilled water. Particular attention should be paid to the containers in which the exposure will take place. They should be made of oak only. Use them only for aging brandy alcohol. For other alcoholic drinks, it is worth using barrels made of another material.