Cognac is a strong alcoholic drink obtained by distilling grape wines. On the international market, this word can only refer to drinks produced in France. The aging period of cognac can be determined by its name or by the abbreviation in Latin letters indicated on the label.
The technology of production and aging of cognacs made in other countries is not much different from that used by the French, but it is French that is considered the standard of quality and is especially carefully protected from counterfeits. The longer the aging period of cognac spirit in an oak barrel, the more it is valued. After the aging process has begun, chemical reactions begin to occur, each of which affects the taste of the drink. These changes take place rather slowly, so real cognac is aged for years and even decades.
The initial raw material - cognac alcohol - is a colorless oily liquid with a pronounced delicate taste and bouquet, which contains fruit and floral notes. After it is poured into oak barrels, the first qualitative changes become noticeable after 18 months of aging - the consistency of the drink becomes more velvety, the taste is more intense, a subtle aroma and vanilla flavor appears, which gives the cognac the substance lignin contained in oak wood. The color of the drink takes on a light straw tint.
After 6-8 years, the taste and aroma of cognac are already completely different from the original raw material - it acquires a characteristic rich taste, and in its bouquet the aromas of good tobacco, leather and honey are clearly felt, to which, after further aging, the aromas of orange, pine needles, mushrooms are added. Cognacs with a long aging period are characterized by a subtle smell of rancio - this is the name of the aroma of old wine, a bit reminiscent of almonds and hazelnuts. The color of such cognacs is fiery orange.
Therefore, the aging periods of cognacs are essentially indicators of their quality, and only the taste and aroma of the drink, but also its cost, directly depends on them. According to the international classification, aging periods are indicated in Latin letters. Thus, the designation V. S. have drinks with an aging period of at least 2 years, the abbreviation V. S. O. P. denote cognacs aged at least 4 years, V. V. S. O. P. - cognacs aged at least 5 years and X. O. - those that languished in oak barrels for more than 6 years.
The name of its class also speaks about the age of the cognac, there are only three of them: ordinary, vintage and collection. Ordinary cognacs include drinks based on cognac alcohol, the aging period of which is from 3 to 5 years. In this case, each year of aging is indicated by an asterisk, and in the store you will see from 3 to 5 stars on the label of an ordinary cognac. A three-star ordinary cognac with a strength of 40% has a light yellow color, a characteristic aroma and a pleasant, slightly harsh taste. The strength of an ordinary four-year-old cognac is 41%, it has a more pronounced aroma and taste. A five-year-old ordinary cognac is considered the best, its strength reaches 42%. Vintage cognacs are made by blending from cognac spirits aged for more than 6 years, and collection ones - from vintage varieties that are additionally aged for at least 5 years.
