Cognac: The Epitome of After Dinner Drinks

Cognac is actually made from wine. It is a distilled beverage like all the various types of whiskey, but it is distilled from wine not from grains like the others. Distilling gives Cognac a much higher alcohol content than the wine it was made from. Wine usually has between 13 to 20% alcohol. Cognac has between 40 to 60 %.

France names its alcoholic products after the area in which is is produced. So Cognac is a brandy that comes only from the Cognac region of France.

The laws regarding how all wines and brandies are made in France are very strict. Cognac must be distilled by March 31 of the year after the grapes were harvested. Then it must be transferred to French oak barrels and aged in cave that are kept at the same temperature and humidity for a minimum of two years. The top end Cognacs will also be bottle aged after it comes out of the barrels, which is one reason why some Cognacs cost as much as $1,000.

There are about 158,000 acres of grapes planted by about 15,000 plantations for the production of Cognac. The favorite grape is the Ugni blanc, mainly because it is disease resistant and makes a wine high in acid and low in alcohol content. Cognac may be made in France, but America is the largest consumer. All in all, France exports about 95% of all the Cognac it produces.

All Cognacs are not created equal. Knowing what to look for on the label will tell you all you need to know about the history and quality of the particular Cognac. Cognac labeled as VS, Very Special, which is a blend of 40 different vintages and has been in barrels for at least two years. VSOP, Very Superior Old Pale, is a blend that has been in barrels at least four years. Cognac XO is also known as Napoleon Brandy and has been in the barrels at least six years. Cognac that has a vintage year on the bottle was made with grapes just from that one year.

Cognac is not meant to accompany a meal. It is meant to be enjoyed by itself afterwards. Cognac is meant to be sipped from a brandy snifter. It is especially designed to fit with the stem between the pointer and middle fingers with the bowl resting on the palm. This way you can swirl the liquid around in the glass so it will absorb some of the warmth from your hand. The glass should only be filled to about the 1/3 level, so the Cognac can breath. Cognac is meant to be slipped slowly. Store Cognac standing up. It should not be in contact with the cork.

Sources:

Cognac

Cognac Knowledge

Cognac World