Not every strong grape drink has the right to be called cognac. Very strict requirements are imposed on this noble drink so that it can rightfully bear such a name.
We all know that there is “Armenian Cognac”. But it can be called that only on the domestic market. When selling abroad, such a name is no longer acceptable. To be called cognac, the drink must meet certain requirements.
1. First of all, this is a name controlled by origin, that is, "tied" to the French region, the center of which is the city of Cognac. The climatic conditions and soil characteristics of this region determine the taste of the grapes, which are used to make cognac.
2. Production technology. Of course, the exact technology is kept a closely guarded secret. But the production method is the distillation of dry white grape wine and further aging of the drink in oak barrels, as a result of which the drink darkens. Foreign impurities and auxiliary substances are not allowed during production. All subtleties are taken into account: not every oak species is suitable for making barrels, but only one that has a certain degree of porosity, the distillate should not come into contact with metal objects, so barrels are made without nails. Storage conditions are also very important, a separate person is watching this in each cognac house. Further, there is a mariage, that is, the preparation of a drink from a variety of cognac spirits of different aging. This is a complex process that only expert tasters can trust.
Despite the strictly regulated technology, the cognacs of each cognac house have their own personality and shades of taste.
Depending on the age of the drink, the following categories are distinguished: V. S (very special), V. S. O. (very spacial old), V. S. O. P. (very special old pale), X. O. (extra old). These letters must be indicated on the bottle.
Considering all the complexity of preparation of this noble drink and attention to the smallest details during production, it is not surprising that cognac has such a high price. Most of the cognac is exported.
