Despite the fact that cognac belongs to strong alcohol, but due to its refined taste, it is he who leads the entire numerous guard of elite drinks. This divine elixir can be tasted only by close contact with it and having learned all the rules for its use.
A bit of history
Cognac belongs to the genus brandy, which means "fire wine". Back in the 15th century, master winemakers from France began to use new technologies in the production of wines. In those days, most of the French wines were delivered to overseas customers on ships in tarred oak barrels. Travels were long, and the taste of distilled wine was transformed and changed during transportation. It was in such long voyages that the bright taste of brandy was born, and later cognac appeared.
The most famous cognac producers were the houses of Martell (founded in 1715), Thomas Hine (1821) and Hennessy (1765), and the first bottle of this drink entered wine shops in the middle of the 19th century.
The cognac gets its unique flavor in the taste during aging. The longer the cognac is infused, the more refined and rich taste the finished drink will have. Real elite varieties of cognac can be infused in barrels for up to 50 years, constantly improving their taste characteristics. But after reaching the peak value, the taste of the drink will begin to deteriorate again, so after the peak time, old cognacs are bottled.
Classification of domestic cognac
All cognacs produced in the former Soviet republics are divided into ordinary (3-5 years old) and vintage (6 years or more). Young or ordinary cognac is marked on the label with stars, the number of which determines the duration of its aging.
- Three stars mean three years of aging at a strength of the drink 40%.
- Four stars mean four years of aging at a strength of 41%.
- Five stars means five years aging at 42% ABV.
Older or vintage cognac is divided into the following types:
- Aged cognac - КВ, aging 6-7 years at a strength of 42%.
- Cognac of the highest quality aged - KVVK, aged for 8-10 years at a strength of 43-44%.
- Old cognac - KS, a ten-year-old drink.
- Cognac is very old OS - collection varieties with aging up to 15 years. After blending, such drinks are still infused in oak barrels for up to three years. The strength of KS and OS cognacs can vary between 40-56%.
Classification of foreign cognac
In the homeland of cognac, as well as throughout the world, a different classification is adopted. Here cognacs older than six years are not classified, because after this period it is impossible to control the blending process. Such drinks are assigned independent brand names.
- Cognac aged from 2, 5 years - V. S. or Very Special.
- Cognac, aged from 4 years - V. S. O. P. or Very Superior Old Pale.
- Cognac, aged from 5 years - V. V. S. O. P. or Very-Very Superior Old Pale.
- Six-year-old cognac - X. O. or Extra Old.