French cognac: names, reviews, prices. What good is French cognac?

Noble drink, which will be discussed today, has its own characteristics and rich background. French cognac is not just a drink that contains alcohol. This multi-stage painstaking work of many people and many years spent on achieving a good result.

What is cognac?

According to the terminology, cognac is a strong drink with a high alcohol content. And this version of brandy is made only from certain varieties of grapes. There is a specific production technology, all the necessary conditions and nuances must be observed, namely: double distillation of dry wine from grapes and further exposure of the obtained raw materials (distillation) in special oak barrels.

French cognac is produced in several departments of the country. This is Charente, De Sevre, Dordogne. The most significant city in the history of the drink is Cognac, but Segonzak and Jarnak are no less important.

The emergence of cognac

Even in the III century, the Roman emperor Probus granted permission to win winemaking. Already in those days in the territory where today French cognac is produced, a massive planting of vineyards began, which exist to this day.

As for more modern documents, in 1909 a decree was issued in France, according to which products called "cognac" can be produced only in a certain territory. The established borders included departments of France, which differ not only in the extremely favorable climate for viticulture, but also in unique calcareous soils. It is believed that fruits grown in another locality do not have the taste qualities necessary for cognac.

Harvesting

The optimal time for raw materials for a drink is mid-autumn. In order to get a real French cognac, only a few varieties of white grapes are used. Of these, the most common is Uny Blanc (Trebbiano). This sour grape variety has a high yield, it slowly ripens, but is quite resistant to diseases. Also can be used Colombard, Fol Blanche or Montil. They allow cognac to acquire new flavors, but are very complex and capricious in growing.

Stages of production

After the harvest is collected and brought to special warehouses, they begin to make the best French cognacs. Let's consider this process in stages:

1. Squeezing juice from the grapes. Horizontal presses, not crushing bones of berries, are involved. Traditional screw categorically prohibited by law.
2. Fermentation. The resulting juice is fermented for three weeks. At the same sugar is not added, so as not to spoil the quality of brandy alcohol (this is also prohibited). The resulting wine (with an alcohol content of 9%) is sent for distillation.
3. Obtaining the primary basic alcohol (raw). This is the first stage of distillation, giving the future cognac a taste and character. The extraction of 30% alcohol is carried out without filtration. All wine is distilled, including sediment.
4. Obtaining final brandy spirit of high quality. This is a secondary distillation, dividing the raw materials into three fractions. Fraction 70% of the fortress (the second) is placed in oak barrels, exposed to aging and becomes the cognac itself.

The last stage of production will be described in more detail.

Aging, or ripening, of cognac

As you know, the finished alcohol, obtained from grape juice, is placed in special barrels of oak. It is necessary to ensure that the future cognac is filled with additional flavors and flavors, became a pleasant golden color.

Oak barrels are often made by hand, without compromising the integrity of the tree trunk (this is important). After their shape is given, the firing begins. Thus, the structure of the tree is softened, and on the inner surface of the barrel a small layer of burnt sugar is formed, also affecting the aromatic and flavor qualities of cognac.

Ripen the drink at least two years, but not more than 70. During the first time, it extracts from the wood the necessary tannins, sugars, amino acids, oils, resins and enzymes. There is simply no need to increase the maturity period of cognac. After 70 years of aging, his taste remains almost unchanged.

Cognac is stored in the cellars. First, ripening takes place in barrels, and then it is poured into glass bottles. In addition to aging and varieties of used grapes, French cognac (its name) differs depending on the locality where it was produced.

What are the qualities of cognacs?

As we have already said, the main criteria for evaluating the drink are three: grape variety, terrain and aging time. If the first two are written on the bottle without cuts, then the latter has its own peculiarities. The longer the cognac ripened, the better. However, the law has established that it is difficult to control the aging of cognac over 6.5 years. Therefore for today the most widespread are such drinks:

1. Very Special (VS) - minimum exposure (2 years).
2. Superior - maturing for at least three years.
3. Very Superior Old Pale (VSOP), Very Old (VO), Reserve - four-year exposure.
4. Very Very Superior Old Pale (VVSOP) - maturation for 5 years.
5. Extra Old (XO) - aging for more than six years.

According to these standards, French cognac is classified.

The names - Napoleon, Royal, Tres, etc. - indicate the brand, not the brand. There are also drinks with aging for more than seven years, but their cost is extremely high, they are considered collectible.

Cognac "French standard"

It is a drink made with a specific technology, in accordance with all the traditions inherent in it. The name "Cognac" The French standard "5 stars" says that this drink is strong, tasteless due to VSOP aging. This brandy is poured on the territory of Russia, but the raw materials can only be used original (ie from France). In the taste of this cognac you can feel the fruity shades, warm floral notes. Aftertaste gives honey aroma and raisins. The color of the drink can be seen through the transparent glass of the bottle - it should be copper-golden. He rightly can be called "French cognac", the price while it is much lower. The explanation is simple - local bottling, but not the worst quality.

Cognac "French Order"

In addition to the greatest French producers, in our country there are also wineries producing high quality products, much more affordable. One of the brightest examples is Kaliningrad. It is here that the plant produces the best brands of cognac, wine and various tinctures.

"French Order" is a drink with five stars. This cognac is maintained for five years on the territory of our country. Of course, as in the whole world, brandy alcohol is supplied from France, but bottling is carried out here. Thanks to this, the price of good products is significantly reduced, and the taste is irreproachable and unique.

This cognac is a drink for men. It's pretty sturdy and tough. It is better for a fine half of humanity to consume cognac with less years of aging, when its taste is more tender and soft. "French Order" is beautifully packaged, such a present will be appropriate for any occasion.

How to drink brandy?

How and with what use is this drink? There is a whole art. In order to fully appreciate the taste of cognac, you will have to work hard.

1. We start by choosing dishes. Experts advise a glass-tulip, but can also come up with a traditional ball-shaped glass.
2. Before you try the drink, you need to evaluate its color. The lighter the shade, the less cognac aging. Color varies from straw-yellow to fiery-red.
3. You need to breathe in the aroma of cognac. You can feel floral and fruit notes, shades of hazelnut or chestnut, citrus ... After a while, shake the glass and inhale again: allow the drink to open.
4. Try brandy in small sips. So that the entire oral cavity feels its complex taste and personality.

Cognac is appropriate in a close circle, a warm atmosphere, in harmony and tranquility. As the gourmets say, separately consumed other drinks and separately French cognac. Reviews of connoisseurs agree on the fact that it should be at room temperature. As an addition, a black coffee and a piece of chocolate will do.

As for the dishes, then with cognac very well combine a nut or cream souffle, our favorite charlotte and all kinds of hard cheeses. No less successful combine this drink with seafood and meat dishes (from veal).

But if we talk about cocktails, then tonics or other carbonated drinks will suit cognac. It will be good and lemon or orange juice. The proportions on average are 1: 3, ie 20 ml of cognac is diluted with 60 ml of tonic or juice. Ice is welcome. It is worth noting that a cocktail is recommended for young cognac. The aged should be used undiluted better.

Learning to choose cognac

In order not to make a mistake in choosing and buying a real grape brandy, special attention should be paid to its label. Here is what is indicated on the bottle of quality cognac:

1. The name (it should be written that this drink is just cognac).
2. The volume of the bottle.
3. The number of revolutions in percent (beverage strength) should be indicated on the front of the label.
4. The address of the enterprise and its legal name.
5. Appearance to appellation (for example, Grande Champagne Appellation Contrôlée).

For control of production and bottling of the drink is the responsibility of NMBK (National Interprofessional Bureau of Cognacs). And remember: the cost in this case directly depends on the quality of the product. If you met French cognac, the price of which is suspiciously low, think three times before you buy it.