Connoisseurs of elite alcohol know and love Kizlyar cognacs. Dagestan drinks have their own zest, unique aroma and taste. This article will tell about the history of the founding of the famous Kizlyar plant, as well as about modern production trends and consumer opinions.
a brief description of
Kizlyar cognac began to be produced at the factory of the same name. Brief description of the enterprise :
- Founded in 1885
- The direction of activity is the production of brandy using cognac technology (classic model).
- Region - Terek Valley.
- Address - Dagestan, Kizlyar.
- The vineyard area is 11.5 hectares.
- Varieties and average age of the vines - "shasla", "riesling", "tersky black", "rakatsiteli", 8 years.
- Director - V. Grikoryants
- Awards - "Supplier of the Moscow Kremlin".
Kizlyar story
The city of Kizlyar, glorified by winemakers, is located in the very center of the wonderful mountainous country of Dagestan, among the fertile plains beyond the high peaks of the mountains. It was he who gave Russia and other states the famous Kizlyar cognacs, which many connoisseurs of hard liquors revered and loved. Each page of the history of this city is saturated with beautiful aromas of mountain air, the coolness of the Terek and the gentle sun of the Caucasus.
The history of the city dates back to the seventeenth century. At that time, the Kizlyar transition connecting the Caucasus with the East was of great importance. Local residents raised sheep and conducted successful trade with visiting merchants. The mild climate, good fertile land and high yields encouraged the Kizlyar people to cultivate orchards and vineyards. Due to weather conditions, young shoots of trees and vines quickly went up, and soon the residents of Kizlyar began to receive good harvests of various fruits, including grapes. But a lot of time will pass before Kizlyar cognacs become well-known.
How did cognac appear in Kizlyar?
The status of winemakers for the first time in history was determined by Peter I by his decree on the freedom of distilling. Since then, trading people have reached out to Kizlyar from all over the globe. Grape breeders from Germany and France brought rare grape varieties here and began to patiently plant it on this fertile land. Local winemakers used the traditional varieties of berries for the production of their products. In addition, they used proven technology to open new private distilleries.
The fame in the development of new winemaking production technologies belongs to the Kizlyar masters for good reason. After all, it was they who noted the unique taste and notes of local grapes, which in the future helped them create beautiful Kizlyar cognac, which will appeal to many admirers of strong alcohol. Winemakers have successfully applied all this knowledge in the production of a new product - vodka called “Kizlyarka”. According to visiting French, this drink after aging in oak barrels tasted very much like cognac. It had a mild flavor, light amber color and subtle floral aromas. It was this vodka that in the future became the prototype of such a strong alcoholic drink as Kizlyar cognac (there is an article in the photo). Kizlyarka for quite a long time and successfully competed with French vodka and had its own wide circle of admirers.
Brandy production in the 19th century
Cognac production in Russia appeared on the basis of vodka-smoking in Kizlyar and passed an independent development path. Winemakers who were able to produce “Kizlyarka” had long known that Kizlyar cognac (Dagestan) was prepared by the long exposure of grape spirit obtained in the fire factories. In 1884, a law was passed on fruit and wine production. Thanks to him, the fire factories were revived, and this, in turn, was in the hands of large Russian breeders of alcoholic beverages.
"Star" cognac
There is a classification of cognac by quality. The following types or groups of this type of drink are distinguished:
- Ordinary. This brandy is made from grape spirit aged from three to five years.
- Cognac *** (3 stars) is prepared from alcohols with an aging of at least 3 years. It has 40% strength.
- Cognac **** (4 stars) has a cognac spirits age of at least four years. The strength of this drink is 41%.
- Cognac ***** (5-star). Five years ago cognac spirits are involved in the production of this alcohol. The strength of the drink is 42%. According to the rating, so many stars mark the best brands of cognac.
The next marking of the drink is branded brandy (Kizlyar or any other - a specific name is always assigned). He, in turn, is divided into:
- KV - aged cognac, average age is 6-7 years, the fortress is 42%.
- KVVK - cognac of high quality. Exposure is ten years, the fortress is 43-45%.
- A group of cognacs KS and OS - old and very old cognac - is made from raw materials with an aging of more than a decade, the alcohol content is 40-57%.
There are still collection varieties of Kizlyar alcohol. This is vintage cognac, which is aged in oak barrels for more than five years additionally.
The development of cognac production in the 19-20th centuries
At the beginning of the 20th century, the talented Georgian businessman David Sarajishvili owned the Kizlyar plant. Until 1917, alcoholic beverages were produced under his name. These Kizlyar cognacs not only in Russia but also abroad received more than ten different diplomas and medals.
Unfortunately, in the period from 1917 to 1947 practically nothing was known about the work of the cognac factory in Kizlyar. But in 1947, the production of new alcoholic beverages began, and very soon a five-star Kizlyar cognac appeared on the shelves. In 1951, a four-star drink was produced, in 1952 - a three-star drink. For the production of this strong alcohol, equipment was used that was used under David Sarajishvili.
In 1955, Kizlyar brandy KV was released - this is the first branded alcohol aged for at least six years. On the day of a significant date - the accession of Kizlyar to Dagestan and the celebration of the fortieth anniversary of Soviet power - cognac of the KVVK group "Jubilee Dagestan" was released. These alcoholic drinks are firmly entrenched in the market, have their fans and delight them with their unforgettable and special taste.
Cognac production process
Cognac is produced at the Kizlyar plant very prosaically. Initially, raw materials are supplied to the wine materials shop in a container made of reinforced concrete. Then it enters the hardware workshop, where it is subjected to double distillation. This action occurs with the help of special equipment - continuous distillation plants. The starting product of the first distillation is crude alcohol. The next stage is the second distillation, where in the process the alcohol is divided into three fractions:
The next stage of production, in which Kizlyar cognacs are being learned in the future, is the aging workshop. It receives alcohol with a strength of 60 to 70 degrees. It is from the middle fraction that cognac is produced. It is aged in the production process both in oak barrels and in enameled containers on oak rivets. Incidentally, the latter applies only to ordinary, 3-, 4-, 5-star cognac drinks.
The process of aging alcohols is carried out at a certain temperature in the range of +15 ... + 27 degrees. A certain air humidity and air exchange rate are also required. In the process of aging barrels are used several times.
After the future cognac goes through the aging process, it enters the blending workshop. This is where brandy alcohol is mixed with purified water, color and syrup. A blend prepared in this way can withstand a certain time (from 3 months to a year). Only after this cognac is bottled and delivered to the retail network.
Cognac "Three Stars" (Kizlyar)
This brandy is most common among lovers of spirits. Its recipe was developed back in 1952. The production technology involves the use of cognac spirits aged from 3 years. This wonderful drink has a golden hue. Its taste is harmonious, in which there are light floral aromas.
Cognac "Five Stars" (Kizlyar)
In 1947, the formulation of this Kizlyar cognac was developed. For the manufacture of alcohol used cognac spirits aged 5 years. A distinctive feature of the production of this drink is that yeast is added to the wine material during distillation, after which cognac oil is formed - this is what experts call it. Thanks to this, the taste of the drink becomes significantly milder. Kizlyar cognac "5 stars" has a dark golden hue, soft pleasant taste, in which a vanilla-floral bouquet is clearly audible. At various exhibitions and competitions, this drink has received many awards more than once.
Cognac "Dagestan"
This wonderful Kizlyar cognac was invented in 1968 for the fiftieth anniversary of the Republic of Dagestan. It is created from the best cognac spirits obtained by traditional double distillation. The term of their exposure is 13 years. Its color is dark amber. The bouquet of the drink is quite complex, it is dominated by vanilla tones with hints of chocolate. At international competitions, this cognac was awarded nine gold, eight silver and three bronze medals.
Cognac "Kizlyar"
The recipe for this drink was created in 1959. It is made from brandy spirits with an aging of at least ten years. This Kizlyar cognac (photo above in the article) belongs to the brand group KS. It has a dark amber color. Taste bouquet is very good and harmonious. Also, the drink has numerous awards and medals, as well as the previous types.
"Kizlyar festive"
This cognac was created on the 110th anniversary of the Kizlyar plant. The recipe for the drink was selected in 1994. Cognac spirits for the "Kizlyar holiday" are aged for at least 17 years. This is a wonderful Kizlyar cognac. Reviews Consumers testify that a fine dark-colored drink has a harmonious and soft taste with hints of vanilla and resins. The alcohol content is 41%.
Consumer Reviews
How many people, so many opinions. Reviews about the tastes of Kizlyar cognac vary: there are negative ones, and vice versa. For example, fans of Crimean alcoholic drinks often praise Kizlyar cognacs. According to experts, these varieties have a pleasant aroma and unusual taste. Many people choose Five Star Cognac. Fans of this species note a dense aroma in which some ethereal notes are present. In their opinion, the taste of cognac is quite soft, but there is a little floral smell in it. In their reviews, connoisseurs of Kizlyar drinks note that cognac can be consumed in its pure form. The taste of alcohol is quite soft, so it is not necessary to drink or dilute it. Despite this, many add Kizlyar cognac to cocktails. The advantage of this product is its low cost. Buyers often leave positive reviews, noting the low price of Kizlyar drinks. According to the majority, this is one of the main advantages of cognac production in Dagestan.
However, it is widely believed that all cognacs of the Kizlyar wine and vodka factory are falsification. Therefore, not everyone risks purchasing this product. Often negative opinions are left by those buyers who went too far with the amount of alcohol and earned a headache in the morning. But most connoisseurs of elite drinks say that Kizlyar cognac is very easy to drink and does not cause negative emotions.