Cognac
I have recently been given two bottles of your Cognac and I should like to know how I should store them to keep them in the best possible conditions.
Can you explain the different classifications of cognac?
What does VSOP Fine Champagne mean?
In certain countries, people drink cognac throughout the meal, on the rocks or with water. Do you not think that the addition of water, even ice cubes, alters the taste of the cognac?
What is the difference between a brandy and a cognac? Can a cognac be a brandy?
I have recently been given two bottles of your Cognac and I should like to know how I should store them to keep them in the best possible conditions.
There are in fact a few simple
requirements to observe for optimal storage of your bottles of cognac. A bottle
of cognac should be kept upright and not on its side, as with bottles of wine.
It should also be kept away from direct sunlight, from dust, and at ambient
temperature (between 15°C and 20°C). If you want to keep a bottle for a
relatively long period, it should not be opened.
top Can you explain the different classifications of cognac?
No cognac can be sold without
having been aged for at least two and a half years, as from October 1 of the
year of the harvest. It is the age of the youngest spirit used in the blend
which determines the age of a cognac.
The main qualities are recognised
by official decree:
. VS (Very Special) or *** (Three Stars): the
youngest spirit must be at least two and a half years old.
. VSOP (Very
Superior Old Pale): the youngest spirit must be at least four and a half years
old.
. NAPOLEON, XO (Extra Old), EXTRA: the youngest spirit must be at
least six and a half years old.
A cognac House wishing to give another
name to one of its qualities must have it registered with the National Cognac
Trade Office (BNIC) and it must fall into one of the VS, VSOP or XO categories.
The name must also correspond to the minimum age of the category to which it
belongs. For example, XO Gold was registered by Otard with the BNIC in the XO
category.
top What does VSOP Fine Champagne mean?
VSOP is the abbreviation of Very
Superior Old Pale. Fine Champagne means that the blend consists exclusively of
Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne, with a minimum of 50% of Grande
Champagne.
top In certain countries, people drink cognac throughout the meal, on the rocks or with water. Do you not think that the addition of water, even ice cubes, alters the taste of the cognac?
That form of consumption can be
found in fact in many countries throughout the world, especially in Asia. It is
all a question of proportion and sensitivity. A very small quantity of water can
stimulate certain aromas. Too much water can spoil the aromas.
The addition
of ice cubes is the same, indirectly, as adding water but in progressive doses.
Once the ice cubes have been added, it is best to wait for the ideal point of
dissolution, i.e. the point most suited to the palate of the taster. Excessive
cooling will impair the perception of extremely subtle and volatile aromas.
It is therefore all a question of moderation and taste. Our Cellar Master
prefers the ice cube effect, which is more progressive, enabling the capture of
changing and varied sensations on the nose.
top What is the difference between a brandy and a cognac? Can a cognac be a brandy?
Brandy is a wine eau-de-vie-based
spirit, aged in oak barrels for at least 6 months and its alcoholic strength is
at least 36 % alc. Vol.
Cognac is a wine eau-de-vie-based spirit from the
delineated region of Cognac and produced according to a very specific
method:
. White grapes
. Wine from the delineated region of
Cognac
. A specific vinification process (without any addition of sugar)
.
Alcoholic strength: at least 40 % alc. Vol.
. Double distillation in a
Charente copper pot-still
. Ageing (at least 2 and a half years)
.
Blending by the Cellar Master.
If any one of these points is not
observed, the product will not be entitled to the appellation of "cognac". That
means:
All cognacs are brandies, but not all brandies are
cognacs
Cognac benefits from an Appellation of Controlled Origin
(AOC).
Cognac is a heavily protected product. The French Government maintains
constant controls through the National Cognac Trade Office
(BNIC).
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