The brandy that came from wine, Cognac is one of those liquors that is loved by kings of old and rappers of today! Several songs by mainstream artists like Snoop Dog, 50 Cents, and Jay Z have made references to this beloved brandy, bringing about the rebirth of Cognac. But what is Cognac? How is this brandy made? Where does it come from? What is the best way to drink Cognac? We answer all these questions in our one-step guide to Cognac.
What Is Cognac?
Cognac is a type of brandy that is made by distilling wine twice, and then aging it in oak barrels for at least two years. This gives the drink its sweet, rich flavor, with notes of toffee, dried fruits, and syrup. Made exclusively in the Cognac region of France, retailers sell 200 million bottles every year, of which 98% are sold outside of France! Its flavor makes it a popular drink to pair with cigars as they complement each other splendidly.
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Where Is Cognac Produced?
The brandy is exclusively produced in the Cognac region of Limousin in France. Home to about 78,000 vineyards, the region stretches from Bordeaux to far north in La Rochelle and eastward from the Atlantic to Angouleme
These vineyards are divided into six crus (geographic regions) that have the right environment to grow the quality of grapes required to create the perfect Cognac. Integral factors such as the climate, topography, and soil conditions affect the flavor of the brandy. So, that’s why the producers of Cognac select the areas of Grande-Champagne, Petite-Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois, and Bois Ordinaires to make their Cognac.
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Which Grapes Are Used To Make Cognac?
Producers can make Cognac using six varieties of grapes, with Ugni Blanc and Folle Blanche being the most considered types. The Ugni Blanc grape is the most popular choice for a Cognac and about 98% of the region’s brandy comes from this variant. The Folle Blanche historically was a popular choice. However, they are sensitive to rot and today, Folle Blanche produces about 1% of the region’s Cognac. Other grape varieties like Folignan, Colombard, Monfils, and Semillon produce the remaining 1% of the brandy.
How Do You Make Cognac?
Winemaking: The grapes used for preparing this special spirit are harvested in the month of October. They are then pressed to create white wine, which is left to ferment for about 3-4 weeks until the sugars from the grapes ferment into the wine solution. At this point, the wine has about eight percent alcohol content.
Distillation Process: The distillation process is quite specific in terms of methods and even time frame. The wine is distilled twice in copper pot stills, also called Charentais alembic stills. With each distillation, the alcohol content of the drink increases. After the first distillation, the alcohol content reaches about 28-32%, while after the second distillation it reaches a whopping 68-72%. Since Cognac cannot have additives (sulfites) as it affects fermentation, it becomes important to distill the white wine in the winter months (October to March).
Aging The Brandy: Once we get the brandy from the distillation, it is put into French oak barrels for a minimum of two years to age. The aging process is also very specific since brandy that is not aged enough will be quite rough and scathing to consume, while over-aging can cause a lot of the alcohol to evaporate. Using oak barrels is the norm as it gives the brandy, popularly known as eau-de-vie, its distinctive amber color, and depth in flavor.
Blending The Eau-de-vie: The final step to getting the Cognac you’d sip on while enjoying a cigar is the blending process. For this, brandies (eau-de-vie) of different ages and crus (regions) are blended together to give out the final product. Each brandy brings a unique flavor profile to the final batch of the spirit. The manufacturer then labels and grades the drink according to the youngest brandy used in its blend.
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Types Of Cognac
Based on age, there are four types of this alcohol available in the market.
- Very Special (V.S): A V.S Cognac is aged for a minimum of two years as per standard Cognac requirements. Most of the Cognacs in the market are of the V.S. category.
- Very Special Old Pale (V.S.O.P): The V.S.O.P Cognac is aged for a minimum of four years and is also known as ‘reserve’. These make up for about one-third of the global Cognac sales.
- Extra Old (X.O): X.O category Cognacs are of the highest grade and have been aged for approximately ten years. We call Cognacs that have aged between six to ten years as “Napolean.”
- Extra Extra Old (X.X.O): This brandy is aged for a minimum of 14 years.
These are not the only classifications you might find on the label of a Cognac bottle. You will also get the region (crus) from which the grape for the brandy has come from. Specialists bottle Vintage Cognacs, which are no less than 30 years of aging, and are a must-try.
The Best Way To Drink
Cognac has no ‘my way or the highway’ rule, and you can enjoy it in a number of ways. You can it neat or on the rocks. Many drinkers often pour the liquid into a wine glass so that they can cradle the drink and slightly warm it to open up its flavors. Some others like to add a bit of water, as with scotch or bourbon, to open up the drink and bring forward the flavors masked by the alcohol.
If you enjoy a chilled drink, then have it on the rocks. Many people find that the addition of ice cuts through the alcohol and waters down the spirit. Though many experts don’t recommend adding ice to varieties like V.S.O.P and X.O as these well-aged brandies have complex flavors that you can lose if you add ice.
If you’re not one for a straight-up drink of Cognac, don’t fret! This type of brandy works really well in cocktails. In fact, this drink makes for some of the best Sangria batches and are also used to make popular cocktails like French 75, The Sidecar, and Sazerac.
Also Read: How To Drink Brandy: The Expert Edition
Summing Up
Today, Cognac has an allure of sophistication and trendiness, thanks to its portrayal in the media. But the brandy has made its mark across the books of numerous alcohol connoisseurs for its complex flavor profile, stunning amber color, high alcohol content, and versatility. Now you know the answer to the question to “what is Cognac.” So, drink away!
FAQs
Is Cognac A Brandy Or A Whiskey?
You’ll find people producing this special alcohol in the Cognac region in France. Unlike whiskey made from malted barley, the manufacturer ferments white wine made to make Cognac.
What Is The Difference Between Brandy And Cognac?
We distill fermented fruit juice to get brandy while we distill white wine to produce Cognac. This is a basic difference between both the types of alcohol.
How Do You Drink Cognac?
Usually, you consume neat. Add a bit of water to open the drink a bit and bring its flavor to the front. If you’re in a bar, you’ll find that bartenders use Cognacs to craft various cocktails such as the Sidecar and French 75.
Is Remy Martin A Cognac?
Yes, Remy Martin is one of the most popular Cognac brands in the world. Many look at The Remy Martin V.S.O.P as the signature drink of the house with notes of vanilla, dried apricot, and candied pear.
Why Is Cognac So Popular?
This type of alcohol has been popular throughout history. Its complex mature flavor with fruity, floral, and spicy undertones makes it one of the most delicious drinks that you can enjoy both neat and in cocktails.
What’s Best To Mix With Cognac?
You can add lemonade, cola, ginger ale, wines, iced teas, or aromatic bitters to your Cognac. These ingredients complement and enhance the flavor of the alcohol well.
Which Is The Number One Brand Of Cognac?
Hennesy is one of the most well-known Cognac houses in the world and it’s the top-selling brand in the United States. This famous brand has one of the largest eau-de-vie collections in the world with over 350,000 barrels and 65 cellars!
When Should I Drink Cognac?
People usually serve this drink after meals as a digestif as it helps to stimulate the digestive system. You drink this brandy at room temperature.
