Cognac is called a very strong alcoholic drink made by a certain technology. It is obtained as a result of double distillation (distillation) of white wine and its subsequent aging in special containers. Classification of cognac, depending on the place of its production, quality, blending, can be very diverse.
In this article, we will consider this issue in detail.
Manufacture and storage conditions
Every year in October, juice is squeezed from young grapes. It is poured into containers, where the fermentation of the drink begins. This process continues until absolutely bright wine is obtained. Then the future brandy is distilled on a special apparatus. For a better ripening of cognac spirits, the drink is poured into oak barrels. For a long time, it is kept in special rooms at a certain temperature regime. The aging process can take about fifty years. Oak wood enriches cognac with certain components and significantly accelerates redox processes. Air enters the wine through the pores of the barrels, forming a new aromatic bouquet. As a result, the drink acquires a characteristic taste and unique golden color, ductility disappears. In the process of aging, cognac acquires new aromas. After ten years, tar-vanilla tones fully manifest.
Classification of French Cognac
The division into the following types was developed by the National Interprofessional Beverage Bureau. When purchasing French-made alcohol, you should pay attention to the Latin capital letters indicated on the label. VS are the so-called three stars.
Drinks with this abbreviation, as a rule, have an extract of more than two and a half years. Labels with Latin letters VO are placed on the
oldest cognacs in France. Elite alcohol is usually classified by aging. So, for example, VSOP symbols indicate a very high-quality alcohol. It has a light shade. Storage of such drinks in a barrel lasts at least four years. Cognacs labeled VVSOP - more seasoned (about five years), and therefore significantly better in quality. Extra Old (EO) drinks are among the oldest. Their exposure is at least six years. At the same time, the following words are often found in the name of alcohol: Hors d'age, Extra, Tres Vieux, Napoleon, Vieille Reserve.
Elite Views
For drinks over six years old, cognac is not classified by aging. The National Interprofessional Bureau explains this quite simply. The thing is that blending alcohol with such exposure cannot be controlled. The special pride of cognac houses in France are elite drinks. On average, their age reaches 30-60 years. For this kind of alcohol, the traditional classification of cognac is not used. As a rule, the names of elite wines use their own names: “Hine Family Reserve”, “Remi Martin Louis XIII”, “Camus Jubilee”, etc.
French manufacturers
Cognac drinks of this amazing country are considered the best in the world.
Today, there are several large manufacturers of high-quality alcohol. The market leader is the Hennessey brand, founded in 1765. Manufacturers of Remy Martin are focused exclusively on the creation of elite alcohol. In 1835, cognacs of the Courvoisier trademark, supplied for the needs of the French imperial court, were born. The Hain drinks (1763), Gauter (1755) and Martel (1715) are of excellent quality.
Place of origin
It is no secret to anyone that France’s cognacs famous all over the world have a special noble taste and unique refined aroma. The classification of these drinks is also carried out depending on the region in which the alcohol was produced. The name "Grande Shampagne" indicates that alcohol was created in the province of Grand Champagne. It is here that the most tender and delicate grapes are grown. The inscription “Fine Shampagne” means that cognac is made from a mixture of fruits grown in Petite and Grand Champagne in a proportion of 50/50.
Other regions in which grapes were grown, as a rule, are not indicated.
Classification of Russian cognacs
The following division is accepted in the Russian Federation and countries of the former CIS.
- Ordinary cognac drinks. Their exposure is from three to five years. The sugar content in such samples is not more than 1, 5%, and the proportion of alcohol is about 40%. Ordinary cognacs are marked by a certain number of stars, usually from three to five. On average, the exposure of drinks of this type is up to 5 years. Ordinary cognacs with special names have a volume fraction of alcohol of about 42%, sugar - 1.5%. Their exposure is no more than 4 years. Such drinks are marked with four asterisks.
- Vintage cognacs are aged for more than six years. These drinks have their own names. The sugar content in alcohol is about 2.5%, and the alcohol content is in the range of 40-50%. In turn, branded drinks are divided into several varieties. The classification of cognac of this type is as follows: KV - alcohol, aged for at least six years; KVVK - drinks of the highest quality. On average, their exposure is about eight years. OS and KS are very old cognacs. They have an exposure of 10-15 years.
- There are also collectible drinks. They are ready-made vintage cognacs, additionally aged after blending in oak barrels for about three years.
Taste division
In the countries of the former USSR, depending on the aromatic bouquet of alcohol, the following classification of cognac exists. The first group includes drinks produced in Azerbaijan ("Hek-Gel", "Baku"), Armenia ("Selective", "Yubileiny"), Uzbekistan and Dagestan.
The alcohol of these countries has a strong aroma, increased extractability and vanilla tones. The second group includes cognacs made in the Krasnodar Territory and Georgia (brands "Eniseli", "Sakartvelo", "Tbilisi", "Vardzia"). They are extractive, fresh, light, with floral tones. The third group includes Moldavian (“Solnechny”, “Festive”, “Doina”, “Surprise”, “Chisinau”, “Codru”) and Ukrainian drinks. They are harmonious, have a peculiar bouquet, delicate vanilla aroma. In addition, they are less extractive than alcoholic drinks in Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The world of gourmet spirits is very diverse. We hope this classification of cognac will help you cope with the problem of choice more easily.