Cognac is one of the strong alcoholic drinks. France is considered his homeland. Currently, a large number of various brands of this drink are known. One of them is Kizlyar cognac. Where is it released? This alcoholic beverage is produced by the oldest cognac factory. It is located in Russia.
History of the creation of cognac production
The city of Kizlyar is known as the birthplace of Russian cognacs. It was here that in 1885 the production of this strong alcoholic drink was founded. But it is worth saying that a few centuries before the opening of the plant, these places were famous for Kizlyarka grape vodka. She is considered the ancestress of the now famous cognac.
At the turn of the 19-20th centuries. Kizlyar plant was owned by David Sarajishvili. Prior to the 1917 revolution, cognac was produced under the name of this talented Georgian businessman and winemaker. This drink is not only in Russia, but also abroad at the beginning of the 20th century. received twelve different diplomas and medals.
Years of Soviet Power
Unfortunately, the period of the plant’s existence from 1917 to 1947 is practically not covered by history. It is also unknown by whom and when the decision was made to restore cognac production. However, since 1947 the plant began a new round of its history. This year, the 5-star Kizlyar cognac began to be produced, in 1951 - a 4-star, and in 1952 - a 3-star. For the production of these alcoholic drinks, Charente distillation apparatuses installed in workshops used by David Sarajishvili were used.
In 1955, KV cognac saw the light. It was the first vintage drink. The term of his exposure was six to seven years. Subsequently, this cognac became the prototype of the famous brand "Lezginka".
In connection with the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Soviet power and the significant event of Kizlyar's accession to Dagestan, cognac of the Yubileiny-Dagestansky KVVK group was released.
Two years later, a new drink appeared. It was cognac Kizlyar KS, in which the alcohol exposure was at least ten years. Further, the process was somewhat slowed down. Only in 1967 a new drink appeared. They became cognac of the group of OS "Dagestan". 1976 was a landmark for the plant. This year, the latest production was created, which opened up great prospects. Then the brandy "Russia" was created. However, stagnant times prevented the development of the enterprise, and then the general struggle against alcoholism and drunkenness.
Already in 1985, the plant stopped processing grapes, and until 1999 the winery was stopped. By the time the country was on the rails of a market economy, the plant was in a state of ruin. In a difficult period, Vladimir Grigoryants became its leader. This man, having an amazing fate, was able not only to restore production, but also to lead him to prosperity. It all started with roof repairs. After the barrels were restored. In 1999, at the highest level, which was not yet in Russia, the winemaking shop was partially restored. And since then, the drinks that were produced in Kizlyar won numerous diplomas, winning various exhibitions and tastings. In addition, they brought their creators over two hundred and fifty silver and gold medals, as well as more than eighteen Grand Prix cups.
Technological process
The Kizlyar brandy is produced quite prosaically. Initially, the raw material enters the wine materials workshop, falling into reinforced concrete containers. Then it moves to the hardware workshop. Here the wine material is subjected to double distillation. This happens with the help of two continuous distillation units. The initial product after the first distillation is crude alcohol. Then it is again distilled, divided into three fractions - the head, middle, which is brandy alcohol, and tail.
At the next stage, the aging workshop is involved. Cognac alcohol comes here , the fortress of which ranges from sixty-two to seventy degrees. In the aging workshop, you can observe all the features of the technology for the production of a strong drink, which is Kizlyar cognac. The average fraction obtained from wine materials is aged both in oak barrels and in enameled containers on oak boards (riveting). But it is worth mentioning that the latter applies only to ordinary three-, four- and five-star cognacs.
The aging process of spilled alcohol in the tank is carried out at a temperature ranging from fifteen to twenty-five degrees. Relative humidity in this case is 75-90 percent, and air exchange is equal to five volumes per day. In the process of aging barrels are used many times. At the same time, at each stage, alcohols of an increasing shelf life are placed in them.
At the end of this process, the resulting product enters the blending shop. Here fortified water, color and syrup are added to the alcohol. The blend prepared in this way can withstand some time. For ordinary cognacs, it is three months. Drinks of the KV group “have a rest” for half a year more. Cognac KS and KVVK until bottling is in the tanks for one year. Only after that the product goes on sale.
Russian Kizlyar cognac is produced with constant quality control, which is carried out at all technological stages. Wine materials are tasted, followed by alcohols. Quality control applies to ready-made cognacs. The fate of each batch of alcohols received is given an opinion by the chief technologist of the plant. It is based on the estimates given by the tasting committee. The chief technologist makes a decision on whether to leave the alcohol for further ripening, whether to carry out additional operations with it or immediately send it to the blend, and therefore for sale.
Feature of the drinks of the famous factory
Why is Russian Kizlyar cognac so popular? The secret to the success of the drink lies in the aging workshop. It is here that the future brandy is stored in barrels, which are made of wood of the Caucasian centuries-old mountain oak. It is believed that only such material is able to breathe life into a future drink and give it an amazing trail of deep aromas. Barrels made of natural wood do not inhibit the evaporation of alcohol. The percentage lowering the degrees of the drink is called the "share of the angel."
Any brand of Kizlyar cognac is truly unique. The Kizlyar cognac pleases its consumers with a wide range of tastes and aromas. Reviews of those who have tried it at least once indicate the presence in the drink of notes of steppe flowers and southern fruits, mountain herbs and clear water from natural sources.
The color of cognac is light brownish, with an amber glow. The taste of the drink is powerful, it has a pronounced character. The Kizlyar brandy is also distinguished by its long aftertaste, during which tones of noble oak and various spices are revealed. Typically, a drink contains between 40% alcohol and 12 grams of sugar per cubic decimeter.
Cognac
The drink can stimulate appetite. That is why it is used before meals. Do not drink cognac while eating. Otherwise, you will not feel its taste. The bottle must be opened thirty minutes before drinking the drink and do not clog it until the end of the feast. In this case, the aroma of cognac will spread throughout the room. For those who prefer to drink alcoholic beverages while having a snack, a slice of balyk with lemon or a slice of lemon with sugar is recommended.
The drink is served to the table in small glasses made of thin glass. After eating, cognac goes well with fruit or black coffee.
The appearance of fakes
Analysts believe that in the Russian market the share of counterfeit and counterfeit alcohol is in the range of fifty percent of the total volume of alcohol sold in the country. Experts believe that this situation was due to the decree of M. Gorbachev on the dismantling of distilleries, published in 1985. However, already since 1990, production facilities for the production of alcohol-containing products began to be restored. And in 1991, the state monopoly on alcohol was abolished. It was then that Russia was swept by an uncontrolled flow of falsified drinks. First of all, cognac attracted masters of fakes. It is more expensive than vodka, and what to add to alcohol - water, strong tea or coffee, there is not much difference.
Most counterfeit bottles were very similar to the originals. In this regard, the ordinary consumer was not able to distinguish them from products of world brands in appearance. Counterfeit was determined by the composition in the bottles. These “cognacs” included aldehydes and methanol, as well as fusel oils, the amount of which went beyond all permissible limits.
Currently, the situation on the Russian market has changed for the better. However, the anti-counterfeit law has not yet been adopted, and the manufacturer can not protect his drink. There is only one way out - the consumer himself should carefully consider the purchase.
Consistency
If you decide to buy Kizlyar cognac, how to distinguish a fake from the original? Directly in the store you will need to study the consistency of the drink, which should be oily and thick. To determine this indicator, the bottle should be turned upside down. In a quality drink, one big drop will fall from the bottom or there will be traces of liquid draining on the glass. And what if the bottle is filled to the brim? Need to look at the bubbles. With a high probability, the consistency will indicate the original if, after turning the bottle up, large bubbles immediately begin to rise, and then small ones.
If you buy Kizlyar cognac, how to distinguish a fake? The original drink is transparent. It has no sediment and impurities. When clouding brandy can not be consumed.
Bottle
Currently, the plant in Kizlyar produces its products in containers with a volume of 0.5 l. These are bottles with a classic cognac shape, in which glass follows the contour of the label. Tanks that look like a cylinder, truncated downwards, are used for grape vodka. A separate type of bottle is used by the factory for brandy. At the bottom of each of them is the inscription "KKZ". At the top is the medallion, which indicates the year of foundation of the plant - "1885".
Cost
The price of the drink is also one of the criteria to recognize the original Kizlyar cognac. Counterfeit in stores is sold in the range of 170-250 rubles. The original drink is more expensive at 70-130 rubles. So, cognac "Three Stars", which was produced at the factory in Kizlyar, is sold at a price of 350 to 400 rubles.
Lezginka
Cognac products of the Kizlyar plant are distinguished by a wide assortment list. One of the most popular drinks is Lezginka cognac.
Kizlyar is justly proud of his recipe, which was developed in 1963. This cognac belongs to the KV group. When creating a drink, alcohols with an aging of six to seven years are used. Cognac "Lezginka" is characterized by its soft pleasant taste, which contains vanilla-floral tones, and a complex bouquet. The color of the drink is dark amber, having a luster. Cognac "Lezginka" was a member of many international competitions, which won medals (3 gold, 9 silver, 2 bronze).
Kizlyar
The recipe for this brand was created in 1959. The Kizlyar drink (KS) is a Russian cognac produced on alcohols, the aging of which is at least ten years. This brand is distinguished by a delicate bouquet of various shades and a velvety soft taste. The color of the drink is dark amber.
Cognac "Kizlyar" has the highest award among cognacs belonging to the group of CS. In 1969, he received the Grand Prix in Budapest. And while participating in other international exhibitions, he was awarded 11 gold, 7 silver and 3 bronze medals.
Dagestan
This Kizlyar cognac is also very popular among consumers. Reviews testify to its extractive taste, which has a complex bouquet, in which chocolate-vanilla tones predominate.
Cognac "Dagestan" (Kizlyar) in its recipe contains selected cognac spirits. They are obtained on copper distillation apparatuses using the double-distillation method. The exposure period of such alcohols is at least thirteen years.
The drink was created in 1968 in honor of the fiftieth anniversary of the Republic of Dagestan. At international competitions, cognac was awarded 9 gold, 8 silver and 3 bronze medals.
"Stars of Kizlyar"
This alcoholic beverage is made from only high quality alcohols. Kizlyar Stars is a cognac with a strong masculine taste, which is combined with light tones of vanilla. This is a real Russian brandy with at least five stars. The basis for its manufacture is white grapes, which are harvested in October and infused with bright alcohols, the average aging period of which is 5-6 years.