Cognac is a wonderful drink. Accidentally invented, he has adorned our table for already a century, pleases with amazing taste, warms the soul, dispels sorrow, heals illnesses. Elite seasoned cognac is the best gift to a respectable man. Yes, and a confident lady, too, will not refuse such a luxurious presentation. And if you put the cherished bottle to a festive treat, then the success of the event is assured!
Rule one: selection of dishes
You need to be able to drink brandy. Yes, it's not beer and vodka, it requires a special culture, its etiquette, its rules. First of all, claims are made to the dishes. What are the glasses for cognac? They have a pear-shaped form (it is also called a tulip) or hemispheres, their volume ranges from about 125 to 150 g. A very small foot complements the general appearance. True, it is necessary to fill the glasses for cognac not to the top, but only for a quarter, in order to emphasize the priceless and noble character of the unique drink. The upper part of the container should be somewhat narrowed, the base - "puzatenkoy."
Rule two: size depends on age
But it should be noted that the degree of this severity depends on how strong the drink is. If he is still "young," with a sufficiently high alcohol content and a corresponding flavor, glasses for cognac are taken with a neck wider, so that the smell of alcohol does not cut your nose. And here already for a drink with experience are taken containers with a narrow throat opening. Thanks to him, the drinker can fully enjoy the magnificent aromatic bouquet. And why are the glasses for cognac just puzatenkie, with a rounded bottom? Because this form allows you to immerse them in the palm of your hand. The warmth of the hand warms the drink, making it more vividly fragrant. Do you know the name of the glass for cognac? Sniffer! The word came from the English language and is translated as "sniff."
Rule three: the permissible variety
Cognac is served and in small glasses, the capacity of which is 25-35 grams, no more. They are considered not only cognac, but also liqueur. Stuffed glasses are almost to the brim, and made they must be made of crystal. After all, through the whimsical fractures of the faces, the warm honey-brown color of the drink looks especially tempting. And if the glass for cognac has its name - "tulip" - was received thanks to an elegant form reminiscent of this delicate flower, then the glass is called simply - a "drop" or "keg", and also due to a special appearance.
What do professionals advise
You ask: "What does it matter what to drink?" Do not tell me, very significant! Professional sommeliers, by the way, can tell you that the largest glass for brandy has a name - a balloon, its capacity is 800 grams. At the tastings they serve the oldest, most seasoned drink. But, of course, pour the maximum to the extreme edge of the wide part of the bowl. It is often used such innovation, as a glass for cognac with heating. The fact is that with aged drinks, the fragrance has, as it were, 3 degrees of liberation and manifestation. And warming helps to gradually reveal the shades of smells. But the temperature should in no case exceed the room temperature! And cognac glasses, that is, "tulips", are most often used directly for drinking. Indicative in this regard is a glass for cognac without a stem. It is snugly located in the hand, a small protrusion in the outer part of the bottom is passed between the fingers. You seem to be hugging the glass, anticipating the pleasure.
Glass glass strife
What kind of glass should be made containers for a divine drink? The most famous in the European part of our continent has long been considered Czech - Bohemian - crystal. And although now the elite tableware market is wide and diverse, the glasses for brandy "Bohemia" are also popular. They are made of glass of the purest transparency, they make a tall, thin, melodic long ringing, it is only necessary to snap a finger on the wall. As for the domestic traditions, then the championship belongs to the famous factories of Gus-Khrustalny. It was there that the best glasses for cognac were made. Crystal for them was made of superior quality. Previously, often cognac sets had the appearance of not traditional glasses, but intricate figures of fish, birds, animals. By the way, it looked original!
Torch of the moment
What else can you say about cognac? He is not drunk everyday, in an ordinary setting. Such use is considered a mauvais, that is, in a bad tone. Cognac demands respect! He is served at a business meeting, at a banquet, in a close, pleasant company. Associated with a drink with elegant decollete evening dresses of women, solemn and elegant costumes for men. The entourage for cognac is no less important than the glasses in which it is poured. So if you want to arrange a holiday for yourself - dress up, style your hair, make up, put on jewelry, if you're a lady, or shave, put on a fashion shirt, if a man. And only after that open the treasured bottle. Only in this case you will be able to evaluate the drink.
The art of drinking
You need to be able not only to drink cognac, but also to choose it. How to do it? Experienced sommeliers share their ability to determine the quality of the product. When the drink is poured into a glass, hug it with your fingers. If the prints on the opposite side are visible, therefore, brandy is good. Then slowly roll the glass in your hand clockwise. There are traces of streaked glass - take a closer look at how long they will be visible. If about 5 seconds, the cognac extract is 8 years. If the track lasts longer - from 10 to 20 years, that is, the drink is really noble. Further - the smell, as it should be "rasprobovat" and it. The first notes, palpable, as soon as the glass is close to your face, are usually vanilla. The next aromatic wave that covers you when touched with a glass is associated with fruit or flowers: apricot, rose, linden. And, finally, when you take the first sip, join the most complex and intricate bouquet of smells. Throats do small, hold the liquid in your mouth, feel it. Swallowing, do not rush to sip again, enjoy the aftertaste. Remember that you do not eat anything, but a drink of the gods!