Cognac is a variety of brands named after their production place. Although Armenian Cognac is widely known in the former Soviet Union, the European Union prohibits using the term "cognac" for drinks not produced in the Cognac region. From 2032, Armenian beverage producers should no longer use the word "cognac" in their names. Thus, all other drinks not produced in this region of France are not brandy and can be excellent brands, including Georgian. Especially since Georgia has a long tradition of branded products. Even in the nineteenth century, the Georgian brand was widely known in Europe and awarded prestigious awards.
How to choose a brandy?
Cognac is a grape brandy produced in the Charente department of France, with an amber-golden colour and aromas of oak, vanilla and dried fruit. To make 1 litre of cognac or grape brandy, about 10 litres of young wine are needed for at least three years. Alcohol cannot be cheap. Therefore, it is better to choose Cognac based on its price and quality.
Grapes from which Cognac is made
Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche and Colombard grapes are used to make Cognac. Ugni Blanc, called Trebbiano Toscano in Italy, is the main variety of the Cognac region: here, it is planted on 80,000 hectares of land, 98% of the total vineyard area. Acceptable varieties include Folignan, Montil, and Semillon. Rémy Martin cognac V.S.O.P. is made from these three main grape types and distilled twice. It is aged for 2 to 4 years in French oak barrels. The drink is decorated with rose, fruit, apricot, peach and vanilla. The taste is balanced and persistent. You can eat it with ice cubes; it also works well with classic cocktails and citrus. 18-20 degrees is the ideal temperature for tasting the drink. Cognac Martell V.S.O.P. is also produced in France, specifically Cognac. The V.S.O.P. grade has been around for at least four years. The glass is double-distilled from a plain white wine and aged in French oak barrels. You should savour its strong and foreign taste slowly, just as you would with wine. Cognac is amber in colour and has a pleasant aroma of grapes, vanilla and burnt oak. Its flavour is rich, smooth, and decorated with sweet dried fruit elements. You can taste it with an ice cube. 18-20 degrees is the ideal temperature for tasting cognac.
What technology is used to make cognac?
Regardless of origin, all cognacs pass through three main production stages:
- Basic wine production;
- Distillation;
- It is aged in oak barrels.
At the initial stage, a basic white wine is made - which, due to the cool climate, is very acidic, with a low sugar and alcohol content (about 7-9%).
It should be noted that in the Charente department, according to the law, the addition of sugar or sulfites to the base wine is prohibited - the distillation of pure wine, without impurities or additives, is allowed. Wine taste can be softened only by malolactic fermentation, during which malic acids are transformed into lactic acid and softened. An excellent choice would be the Courvoisier V.S.O.P., an expertly crafted cognac; it blends several varieties with a perfect balance of Fins Bois, Grande and Petite. As a result, the cognac has an intense amber colour, a balanced, sweet taste and aromas of flowers, honey, citrus and dried fruit. The drink works well with cheese. Also, an excellent choice would be the cognac Lheraud V.S Emotion. This cognac, like all other real cognacs, is produced in France, specifically in Cognac. V.S. class is older than at least two years. Three types of grapes are used: Colombari, Fol Blanche and Uni Blanc. The drink is distilled twice from wine and aged in French oak barrels. You should savour its strong and foreign taste slowly, as you would with wine.
Cognac has a pleasant caramel colour and a delicate, perfectly balanced fruit aroma, while the taste is velvety and luxurious. It works very well with coffee and cigars. Twenty degrees is the ideal temperature for tasting cognac. Cognac Martell V.S. is produced in France, specifically Cognac. V.S. class is older than at least two years. The drink is double-distilled from pure white wine and aged in French oak barrels. Its strong and foreign taste should be savoured slowly, just like wine. The cognac has a pleasant, light golden colour and a fiery aroma, decorated with citrus, pear and saffron. The taste is velvety and luxurious. You can taste it with ice cubes. 18-20 degrees is the ideal temperature for tasting this cognac.
How is brandy made?
Cognac spirit is distilled with special copper vessels called Charente alambicas. It requires continuous distillation, as does vodka, gin, and some Irish whiskeys and scotches.
Double distillation produces a clear liquid, which in France is called a-de-vie - water of life.
The maximum strength of such spirits is 72.4%. They are characterized by rich fruit aromas, mainly peaches and orchard fruits.
Distillation in the Charente department is strictly defined: it starts November 1 and ends March 31. As a rule, Cognac is aged immediately after distillation - from April 1 of the harvest year. It is from this moment that Cognac's age is counted. The exception is vintage varieties labelled with the harvest year. Hennessy cognac V.S.O.P. is aged for 4 to 6 years. They use grapes uni blanche. The drink is distilled twice from wine and aged in French oak barrels for six years. It should be enjoyed slowly, enjoying its balance, smoothness, and lingering taste. The drink is bright amber and has aromas of oak, cinnamon, spices, cloves and toasted almonds. It works very well with cigars and is also used in cocktails. Twenty degrees is the ideal temperature for tasting cognac. Remy Martin 1738 has been awarded by Louis XV as one of the great drinks. Three types of grapes, Colombari, Fol Blanche and Uni Blanc, are used in the drink and distilled twice. It is aged in French oak barrels for 22 years. The glass is decorated with a fantastic aroma of plums, marmalade, oak, tofu and bread. When you taste it, you will feel the strong, juicy, rich taste of spices, dark chocolate, brioche bread and smoked oak. You can enjoy it with an ice cube; it also works well with classic cocktails and citrus. 18-20 degrees is the ideal temperature for tasting the drink.
How to buy cognac online?
The online store can be the easiest way to choose Cognac, a Georgian brand or wine as a gift. This is to spend time in nature at the country house or outside the city. At V.E.L.I. store, you will find the highest quality cognacs from leading brands from France. You can organize a delicious evening with your friends. Whether you live in Tbilisi or the country house, you will receive your order in 3 hours, with free local delivery.
