If you are fond of Brandy, then ‘Cognac’ would be a name you must have heard now and then. It is a luxurious liquor from a region in southwestern France, known as ‘Cognac’, suggesting the liquor’s name. The rich, velvety brown spirit, also known as “the king of all after-dinner drinks”, owns the hearts of people who enjoy an aged and neat drink. Let’s look in depth at why this French specialty is worth trying!
How is Cognac Prepared?
Cognac falls under the protected category of Brandy, whose preparation must meet the requirements of the French appellation d’origine contrôllée (AOC) to even have the name ‘Cognac’ on its label!
The grape varieties mainly used for its preparation are Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanc, or Colombard. However, a few other varieties are also sometimes used, like Jurançon Blanc, Sémillon, and Folignan.
The grapes are fermented for 5 to 7 days and then distilled twice in copper pot stills to give a colorless liquor known as “eau-de-vie” or “water of life”. It is then aged for at least two years in oak barrels made of either Limousin or Tronçais.
But wait, the process is not over yet! The aged cognac is finally mixed with other cognacs of varied ages to create the product that is sold.
Age Scale for Cognacs
As said earlier, a bottle of cognac contains varieties of differently aged cognacs blended. The age on the bottle represents the youngest eau-de-vie in the mixture. Based on this age scale, Cognacs have been classified in the given categories.
- VS (Very Special) – Minimum 2 years
- VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) – Minimum 4 years
- Napoléon – Minimum 6 years
- XO (Extra Old) – Minimum 10 years
- XXO (Extra Extra Old) – Minimum 14 years
How and Which Cognacs to Drink?
If you are new to Cognacs, there is a simple rule to help you! Older cognacs should preferably be sipped neat or maybe with a couple of water drops in it just to open it up. However, the younger ones are perfect for having on the rocks or mixing into a cocktail, like the “Sidecar” or “Between the Sheets”.
If you prefer a simpler drink, then add an ounce of Cognac to a glass of Champagne or Ginger Ale to get a taste of heaven the French way!
Some Cognac brands you should give a shot at are “Ferrand 10 Generations Cognac” ($61), “Tercet” from Rémy Martin ($139), and “H by Hine” ($47).
Give this smooth, fruity-tinged goodness a try, and make sure to appreciate the years it has taken for that Cognac bottle to reach your table!
