Brandy Flashcards
(56 cards)
EU Brandy definition
A distillation of wine (not Pomace), min 36% abv, min 6 months oak aging
Cognac location
Northeast of Bordeaux in the Charente, Charente-Maritime and portions of the Dordogne and Deux-Sevres Departments, along the Charente R. and surrounding the town of Cognac
Cognac regions of production
In descending order of quality: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois, Bois Ordinaires/Bois a Terroirs. Grand and Petite Champagne on a higher % of chalk, outer areas have more hard limestone, sand and clay
Cognac grapes
Ugni Blanc aka St Emilion (98% of acreage). Permitted but rare: Folle Blanche, Colombard, Montils, Semillon, 10% Folignan (Folle Blanche x Ugni Blanc)
Ugni Blanc aka in Cognac
St Emilion
When was the Cognac AOP approved
Fist defined in 1909 by decree, finalized as an AOP in 1936
Cognac big four producers
Hennessey, Remy Martin, Martell, Courvousier
Cognac distillation process
Distilled twice in a copper charentais pot still. Several batches of the 1st distillation (brouillis) are distilled again (bonne chauffe). The resultant 70% abv coeur is placed in oak cask. After aging, water or caramel may be addedto fix the abv and color
brouillis
The result of the first distillation in Cognac, 28-32% abv
bonne chauffe
The 2nd distillation in Cognac. The 1st distillation (brouillis) is combined in several batches and distilled again and is divided into 4 parts: the tête (heads), coeur (heart), secondes (second cuts) and queue (tails). Only the coeur (~40% of the brouillis) is used for the final Cognac
Type of oak typically used in cognac
Limousin or Troncais
Vintage dating in Cognac
Date of harvest, not distillation. Now legal but extremely rare, most are blended vintages. Age requirements in Cognac refer to the youngest brandy in the blend
Regional labeling in Cognac
May labeled by vintage, such as Grande Champagne provided 100% originated in the region
Cognac labeled “Fine Champagne”
Must be 100% from Grande and Petite Champagne, min 50% from Grande Champagne
Cognac VS
Very Special. aka ***/de Luxe/Grande Choix/Surchoix. min 2yrs in cask
Cognac VSOP
Very Special/Superior Old Pale. aka VO/Reserve. min 4 yrs in cask
Cognac XO
Extra Old. aka Napoléon / Extra / Royal / Très Vieux / Vieille Réserve. min 6 yrs in cask, min 10 years as of 2018. Many producers age 15-20 years in practice
Cognac AOC aka
Eau-de-vie de Charentes
The only hybrid grape allowed in any French AOP
Baco Blanc, allowed in Armagnac AOC
Armagnac Grapes
More likely to made from a blend of grapes unlike in Cognac. Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, Colombard, and Baco Blanche most common, more allowed
Picpoul in Cognac or Armagnac
Folle Blanche
Armagnac allowed distillation methods
Distillation may occur in either a continuous still (Alambic “armagnacais”) or the base wines may be double-distilled in a copper pot still. 95% of brandies use the continuous still method, which is a simpler version, predating Aeneas Coffey’s 1831 model, and produces a more flavorful, less pure, and less alcoholic spirit than double distillation in a pot still
Armagnac regions
Armagnac is the overarching AOP w/ 3 sub AOPs: Haut Armagnac, Bas Armagnac and Tenareze Armagnac
Blanche Armagnac
An AOC for Armaganc produced as a clear spirit, aged 3 months in an inert container after distillation
