A drink with a unique taste and tart aroma, called cognac (Cognac - in French), is the pride of France and is known throughout the world. It is produced only in a certain territory of the country. The technology of its production is complex and based on the correct ability to mix alcohols and aging. The winemakers make a lot of effort, work and time to get a drink that can really be called cognac. The taste qualities of it vary greatly depending on the manufacturer and the exposure time. They can take on shades of various hot spices, nuts, dried fruits, flowers, vanilla. But the color is always the same - it is a beautiful golden brown hue.
Historical data
The appearance of cognac dates back to the seventeenth century, when winemaking was just beginning and its level of development was very low. At that time, wines containing a low level of alcohol were popular. With untreated technologies, drinks could not be stored for long, they spoiled. And only after the discovery of the double distillation method, cognac production was further developed. Thanks to a random but important discovery, the success of cognac (Cognac) was determined in the future. The fact is that the alcohol used to make the drink was transported in oak barrels. The transportation was long in time, and winemakers noticed that the quality of alcohol products was improving. It takes on a golden hue and an original aroma. The cognac technology has been improved for several centuries, and we have obtained a high-quality exclusive drink that has some common qualities with its ancestor of the 17th century.
Production technology
Cognac brandy production requires strict adherence to the process and quality control. The main raw material is grapes, most often they use the Uni Blanc variety. After collection, it is sent to the squeeze using special design presses to prevent crushing of seeds. After this, the juice goes through a three-week fermentation stage. There is a strict prescription regarding the fermentation process and a number of instructions and documents that are strictly followed.
Then distillation takes place, consisting of two stages on special equipment called the Charente distillation cube. As a result of this process, crude alcohol with a strength of 32% is obtained. An alcohol content of up to 72% is obtained after a second step. This raw material is poured into oak barrels and aged for at least two years. Such a minimum period is specified by law. The upper threshold for aging cognac in barrels is also specified. It should not exceed seventy years. After this period, the oak packaging does not affect the taste of the drink. At the final stage, they mix different cognac spirits, getting drinks of different grades and brands.
Features of the use of cognac
There are special rules for the use of cognac. It belongs to digestifs and is served at the end of dinner to improve digestion. In addition, the drink is poured into special, specially shaped glasses. It should be noted that lemon as a snack for brandy is completely unsuitable. He interrupts all the aromas. Cognac does not require any sophisticated snacks. The French, the largest producers and great connoisseurs of cognac, recommend drinking it after coffee and a strong cigar.
The history of the famous cognac Hennessy Cognac
Hennessy is a world leader among cognacs. About 50 million bottles of the drink are sold annually in the world, which is slightly less than half the total sales of this type of alcoholic product. In 1765, cognac company was registered in France by the political Irish emigrant Richard Hennessey. He served in the army of the French king and, after being wounded, was treated in the province of Charente, where cognac is produced. Ten years later, he retired, settled in the city of Cognac and opened his own business. Hennessy Cognac cognac was recognized in France and England, as well as in North America in the eighteenth century. In the 19th century, Irish manufacturers commissioned by the future English king George IV released Hennessy XO and VSOP with more than twenty years of exposure. Due to the great prestige of the company, they introduced a graduation of drinks according to aging dates and began to pour them into colorless bottles for sale.
Varieties of brandy drinks
We list some types of Cognac Hennessy cognac, all of them contain 40% alcohol:
- VS Limited Edition - is in demand, but is available in limited quantities. The exposure period is three years. A distinctive feature is the aftertaste of vanilla.
- Hennessy Fine Hennessy Black - Designed for use by the younger generation. Exposure is four to five years. A floral and honey aroma with a hint of citrus notes predominates.
- VSOP Privilege - prepared according to a recipe created for George IV. It is considered the mildest of all the diversity of "Hennessy." The composition of the drink contains alcohols having a holding period of 6 to 12 years. It has the smell of sandalwood and caramel, the taste contains pear honey and almond flavor.
- Hennessy XO - contains alcohols aged 20-30 years. The flavoring bouquet contains a taste of chocolate, spices and dried fruits with the presence of wood. The aftertaste is salted caramel and walnut.
- Hennessy 250 Blend - the drink released in honor of the 250th anniversary of the company, is a collection, but affordable. Bright aroma combines spices and incense of flowers. The taste combines nutmeg, saffron, rose petals and ginger.
Cognac House Lero
Back in 1680, Alexander Lero, near the city of Cognac, began to cultivate grapes. The profession passed from fathers to sons. And in the second half of the nineteenth century, the family begins to produce alcohol from wine. Years passed, experience accumulated, knowledge improved.
And since 1970, Guy Lero led the family business. He continues to produce cognac and sells it under his own name Cognac Guy Lheraud. Since then, vineyard areas have increased significantly, and Lheraud Cognac cognacs are in demand all over the world. It is noted that the cognac house of Lero has exceptional reserves of old spirits, which were produced at the end of the year before last and at the beginning of the last century.
Armenian brandy
Only producers using grapes grown within the officially defined boundaries of the winemaking area are entitled to give the name Cognac (decree of the French government of 1909).
But, visiting this country in the 90s, B.N. Yeltsin signed an agreement under which drinks from Georgia, Armenia and Moldova can be called cognac inside the CIS. The history of the Yerevan Brandy Factory dates back to 1887. Mixing alcohols with different expiration dates is a closely guarded secret. Grapes are taken only from Armenian farmers. Cognac Armenian Cognac is made strictly from the technology of the law, from grape must. The drinks of Armenia are tasty and fragrant, with a good reputation and can be different in strength, taste and color.
Cognac House Martel
This is one of the largest and oldest cognac houses, founded in 1715 by Martel J.. At the beginning of the 19th century, the company became the largest in the region and traded products in many countries of the world. The company has vast vineyard areas and acquires material for winemaking in other regions.
Products are exported to almost 140 countries. House Martel produces several types of cognac, including cognac Martell VS Fine Cognac, which makes up 2/3 of all sales. It is of high quality, produced according to a traditional, old recipe, which is 250 years old. The ripening period is two to three years. Cognac is characterized by unsurpassed delicate, mild taste and beautiful light gold color. After consumption, a fruity aroma remains in the mouth. It is also used for refinement of classic cocktails and long drinks.
Cognac VSOP
All French cognacs are classified into several categories: VS, VSOP, XO, and this is always indicated on the label. Any brandy is obtained by mixing young and old alcohols. The classification takes place according to the age of the youngest components, which are established by the number of years the alcohol was in oak barrels. The countdown begins on the first of April, which follows after the grape harvest. From the VSOP labeling it follows that the age of the youngest alcohol in the composition of the drink is at least four years. And the average age of alcohols is from 6 to 12 years.
The abbreviation VSOP indicates the rare properties and long exposure of this drink. Typically, Cognac VSOP cognacs of a particular manufacturer have their own taste and aroma that cannot be confused. The quality of these drinks is an order of magnitude higher than that of cognacs with category VS. Depending on it, the cost rises. Consumers believe that drinks with a VSOP category correspond to quality; therefore, they are in great demand. The most popular is Hennessy VSOP. Its enveloping and harmonious taste has long been recognized by consumers of alcoholic beverages. The last of the five famous cognacs of the VSOP category is Otard VSOP. Its taste has an unusual combination of vanilla and citrus. In addition to age, on the label you can find out about the origin of cognac. Fine Cognac means real cognac.
Cognac Hennessy VS
This is the most popular drink sold in all countries of the world. It was released in 1865 on the anniversary of the Cognac House, which turned 100 years old, under the name "Three Stars". Maurice Hennessy used this designation, indicating the age of the drink. Somewhat later, the VS designation appeared on its label. It was bottled in classic bottles, which subsequently acquired a pear-shaped and long neck.
Hennessy Very Special Cognac cognac was imported to Russia at the end of the 19th century. It is very popular among compatriots, having an affordable price and excellent quality. The production uses more than 40 alcohols, which are taken from four regions of the city of Cognac. The youngest alcohol has a three-year aging, while others have more than six years. The color of cognac is saturated bright fiery and corresponds to its character. The drink has the aroma of vanilla and oak with hints of berries, which are replaced by a slight incense of flowers and nuts.
Cognac Cognac: reviews
Buyers give their opinion on French drinks:
- Hennessy VS - has an amazing amber color with a golden reddish tint. When turning the glass, an oily trace remains, confirming the quality of the drink. Leaves a pleasant aroma of wood, apple, vanilla and hazelnut. The presence of alcohol is not felt. An empty glass preserves its flavor for a while. The drink is soft, velvety with a rich taste, leaves a pleasant aftertaste of vanilla. Good to drink with coffee. Excellent quality cognac corresponds to the cost, suitable as a gift option.
- Cognac "Lero" - it is called a real work of art. It is made from the oldest alcohols, a drink with a thirty-year limitation period having the XO series is especially noted. “Lero” does not filter cognacs, avoiding its influence on taste characteristics. They pour drinks into dark handmade bottles to hide possible sediment. All this affects the cost. It has a fairly high price, and its true connoisseurs buy it.
Conclusion
Natural French cognac Cognac is the most refined and eminent alcoholic beverage in the world. Its aroma and taste arouse people's affection and respect from the first sip. To understand how many years cognac spent in an oak barrel, only a few people in the world can know by color, smell, taste, aroma. For all others, the necessary information is indicated on the label. Brandy production originates from winemakers in France. Improving the process of obtaining drinks all the time, they twice distill the young wine from special grape varieties and get pure distillate. It is stored in tightly closed oak barrels for many years. Due to the unique properties of oak, the drink acquires a rare color, amazing aroma and amazing taste.