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Continuing Studies > Spirits: Cognac > Flashcards

Spirits: Cognac Flashcards

1
Q

Who are Cognac’s “Big Four”?

A

Hennessy
Martell
Remy Martin
Courvoisier

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2
Q

What is “Early Landed” Cognac?

A

Comes from the phrase “early landed, late bottled”. Cognac that is partially aged in the AC but shipped in barrel to another country to continue aging/be bottled (historically England)

*a common historic practice, although Hine (and sometimes Delamain) is the only player doing it now in significant capacity. Cognac must age at least 2 years in the AC then can depart to wherever

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3
Q

What is the oldest Cognac house?

A

Martell, est 1715

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4
Q

Who was responsible for mapping/creating Cognac’s subzones?

A

Henri Coquand in the 1850’s - 1st to conduct geological studies of this kind for any winegrowing region

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5
Q

What is the preferred soil type for Cognac?

A

Chalk - found in Grande Champagne and Petite Chamapagne

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6
Q

Who are Cognac’s top 4 export markets in descending order?

A
  1. USA
  2. China
  3. Singapore
  4. UK
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7
Q

Which of Cognac’s subzones hosts the largest amount of plantings?

A

Fins Bois with about 34k ha

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8
Q

If a bottle of Cognac carries a region on its label, what percentage of brandy must be from said region?

A

100%

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9
Q

What does “Premier Cru du Cognac” indicate?

A

An unsanctioned term indicated that the brandy is from Grande Champagne

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10
Q

The term “Fine Champagne” would indicate what for Cognac?

A

Min. 50% Grande Champagne + Petite Champagne

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11
Q

What type of still must Cognac be made in?

A

Copper Charentais pot still

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12
Q

How many times is Cognac distilled?

A

2x

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13
Q

What is Cognac’s term for a “grower-producer”?

A

Bouilleur de Cru

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14
Q

What is the term used for the Cognac distillery/barrel house?

A

Chai

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15
Q

What is the term for the product of Cognac’s premiere chauffe?

A

Brouillis

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16
Q

What is Cognac’s term for a negociant-manipulant?

A

Bouilleur de Profession

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17
Q

Cognac: what is the name of this part of the still?

A

Cucurbite

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18
Q

In the process of making Cognac, what would be in here after the premiere chauffe?

A

The base wine will have become the Brouillis - 26% to 32% ABV. Once enough is collected, it will undergo a 2nd distillation to become clear, unaged brandy

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19
Q

Cognac: What is the name/purpose of the two parts here?

A

The water-filled Bassiot is where the vapors passed through the serpentin a coil that snakes down the bassiot.. cooling and condensing the vapors into distillate which will then collect in barrel at the end

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20
Q

Cognac: What is this and what is its purpose?

A

Chauffe Vin/Rechauffe Vin: holds the base wine. In many stills, the bec will pass through with hot vapors which pre-heat the base wine prior to it entering the cucurbite.
*some producers (Martell) omit this part to avoid oxidizing/overheating the base

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21
Q

Cognac: what is the name for this part?

A

Col de Cygne (swan’s neck)/Bec

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22
Q

Cognac: what is this thing and what is its purpose?

A

Chapiteau: the base wine is heated in the cucurbite below, then it enter the Chapiteau before going into the condenser. This thing helps ensure quality by preventing froth from entering the process.

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23
Q

What material must a Charentais Alembic still be made from?

A

Copper

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24
Q

What is Cognac’s term for the 2nd distillation?

A

Bonne Chauffe

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25
Q

How does the use of copper benefit the production of Cognac?

A

Copper fixes fatty acids in the base wine - consolidating them into a solid that is removed after the first distillation.
Copper also reacts with many undesirable compounds.

(the downside of this reactivity is that the lifespan of a copper still is only about 50yrs)

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26
Q

What is the proper term for a Cognac cellar master?

A

Maitre de chai

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27
Q

Cognac: to use lees or not to use lees - how does it impact the style? In what part of the process would they be used?

A

In the first distillation/premiere chauffe
Yes: fatty acids add roundness and dpeth of flavor (Remy)
No: Yields more delicate and drier styles (Hennessy, Martell)

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28
Q

What 2 types of oak barrel are most typically used for Cognac production? Which is favored and why?

A

Troncais, Limousin (the modern fav)

Troncais: 1st type to be widely used. Fine-grained, less tannin extraction.

Limousin: wider grain, more air and tannin extraction.

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29
Q

What is the typical barrel size used for Cognac? What is the allowed range?

A

350L
270L to 450L is the allowed range

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30
Q

What river runs through the heart of Cognac?

A

Charente River
*the chais are located near the Charente to take advantage of the humidity

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31
Q

What is the term for the heart of Cognac’s chai where the most treasured brandies are stored?

A

Paradis

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32
Q

When and why would Cognac be moved to glass bonbonnes? What is the typical size of these?

A

25L - often only used for top product. When the Cognac has reached its desired phase of evolution through barrel aging, the maitre de chai will moved it to bonbonnes to stop the process.

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33
Q

What 6 grapes are allowed for the production of Cognac?

A

Ugni Blanc (90% of plantings)
Folle Blanche
Colombard
Montils
Semillon
MAX 10% Folignan (folle blanche x Ugni Blanc)

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34
Q

What is the most planted grape in Cognac?

A

Ugni Blanc aka Trebbiano Toscana (90% of plantings)

35
Q

What grapes were historically used before Ugni Blanc came to dominance in Cognac?

A

Balzac initially - but it didn’t ripen often
Colombard was widely planted but more used for sweet wines
Folle Blanche was the most important grape up until phylloxera - it didn’t graft well

36
Q

How is a Cognac still heated?

A

An open flame is required
Wood and coal were historically used, but natural gas is the method du jour today

37
Q

What ABV range is allowable for Cognac’s base wine?

A

7 to 12%

38
Q

What is the maximum ABV allowed for the product of Cognac’s 2nd distillation?

A

73.7%

39
Q

What is the minimum aging requirement for Cognac?

A

2 years from April 1 of the year after harvest

40
Q

In Cognac production, what is “boisé”? When/why is it used?

A

a mixture made from boiling oak chips to create a dark syrup that is added during early stages of maturation in barrel. It creates the impression of oak aging and is commonly used for all quality levels.

41
Q

What 2 larger Cognac houses are known for creating vintage Cognac?

A

Delamain
Hine

42
Q

VS Cognac: how old?

A

2 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

43
Q

*** Cognac: how old?

A

2 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

44
Q

De Luxe Cognac: how old?

A

2 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

45
Q

Millésime Cognac: how old?

A

2 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

46
Q

Supérieur Cognac: how old?

A

3 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

47
Q

Cuvée Supérieure Cognac: how old?

A

3 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

48
Q

Qualité Supériure Cognac: how old?

A

3 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

49
Q

Cognac VSOP: how old?

A

4 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

50
Q

Cognac Réserve: how old?

A

4 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

51
Q

Cognac Vieux: how old?

A

4 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

52
Q

Cognac Rare: how old?

A

4 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

53
Q

Cognac Royal: how old?

A

4 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

54
Q

Cognac Vieille Réserve: how old?

A

5 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

55
Q

Cognac Réserve Rare: how old?

A

5 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

56
Q

Cognac Reserve Royal: how old?

A

5 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

57
Q

Cognac Napoleon: how old?

A

6 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

58
Q

Cognac Trés Vieille Reserve: how old?

A

6 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

59
Q

Cognac Tres Vieux Heritage: how old?

A

6 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

60
Q

Cognac Tres Rare: how old?

A

6 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

61
Q

The terms “Excellence” or “Supreme” on a bottle of Cognac would indicate what age?

A

6 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

62
Q

Cognac XO: how old?

A

10 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

63
Q

Cognac Hors d’Age: how old?

A

10 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

64
Q

Cognac Extra: how old?

A

10 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

65
Q

The terms “Ancestral” or “Ancêtre” on a bottle of Cognac would indicate what age?

A

10 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

66
Q

XO/Hors d’Age Cognac

A

10 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

67
Q

Cognac Imperial: how old?

A

10 years
(youngest brandy in the blend)

68
Q

Cognac XXO: how old?

A

14 years

69
Q

A Cognac at least 14 years in age could be labelled with what term?

A

XXO

70
Q

Name 3 terms that could be used to indicate a Cognac is at least 10 years old?

A

XO
Hors d’Age
Imperial
Extra
Ancestral
Ancêtre

71
Q

3 terms that would indicate a Cognac is at least 4 years old?

A

VSOP
Réserve
Vieux
Rare
Reserve Royal

72
Q

3 terms that would indicate a Cognac is at least 5 years old?

A

Vieille Réserve
Réserve Rare
Reserve Royale

73
Q

3 terms that would indicate a Cognac is at least 6 years old?

A

Napoleon
Trés Vieille Reserve
Tres Vieux Heritage
Tres Rare
Excellence
Supreme

74
Q

What is the preferred serving glass for Cognac? What is the ideal temperature?

A

Tulip glass
64º F

75
Q

Name 3 Cognac-based cocktails?

A

Sidecar
Brandy Crusta
Pousse l’Amour
Japanese Cocktail

76
Q

What are Cognac’s 6 geographical designations?

A

Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne
Borderies, Fins Bois

Bons Bois
Bois Ordinaires

77
Q

Which of Cognac’s geographical designations hold the higher proportions of soft chalk?

A

Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne

78
Q

What are “groies”?

A

Hard red limestone and clay typically found in Cognac’s Borderies

79
Q

Which of Cognac’s geographical designation boats the most plantings?

A

Fins Bois with about 34.5k ha

80
Q

“Premier Cru du Cognac” refers to which of Cognac’s geographical designations?

A

Grande Champagne

81
Q

Who makes XO Cordon Bleu?

A

Martell
*unique as it has been sourced from Fins Bois and Borderies since 1912

82
Q

Which Cognac house produces Citadelle Gin?

A

Pierre Ferrand

83
Q

What major city is located in the heart of Cognac’s Grande Champagne?

A

Segonzac

84
Q
A

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