Brandy

Question 1

What are the six sub regions of Cognac?

Answer 1

Grande Champagne
Petite Champagne
Borderies
Fins Bois
Bons Bois
Bois Ordinaires (Bois à Terroirs)

Question 2

What is bonne chauffe?

Answer 2

The second distillation of Cognac, which is then split into the tête, coeur, secondes, queue

Question 3

What is brouillis?

Answer 3

The first distillation of Cognac, distilled from wine to appox 28-32% abv

Question 4

Where is the oak for Cognac traditionally sourced?

Answer 4

Limousin and Tronçais

Question 5

What is the difference between VS Cognac and *** Cognac?

Answer 5

Nothing - they are the same.

2 years of aging

Question 6

How long is VS Cognac aged for?

Answer 6

Minimum 2 years in cask

Question 7

How long is VSOP Cognac aged for?

Answer 7

Minumum 4 years in cask

Question 8

How long is XO Cognac aged for?

Answer 8

Minimum 6 years in cask
» As of 2018, XO will need to be aged for 10 years
Many XO are aged 15+ years in practise

Question 9

Does the age of a Cognac indicate the style, or the youngest spirit in the blend, or the average age?

Answer 9

The youngest spirit in the blend

Question 10

What is Fine Champagne?

Answer 10

A blend of Cognac from Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne, with Grande Champagne at least 50% of the blend.

Question 11

What is the soil type of the sub regions of Cognac?

Answer 11

Grande and Petite Champagne - chalk and limestone
Borderies - clay and flint
Fins Bois - red limestone and clay
Bons Bois, Bois Ordinaires - sand

Question 12

Which islands are included in Cognac Bois Ordinaires?

Answer 12

Ile de Ré

Ile de Oléron

Question 13

What are the three subregions of Armagnac?

Answer 13

Bas-Armagnac
Haut-Armagnac
Armagnac-Ténarèze

Question 14

Which grape varieties are used for Armagnac?

Answer 14

Folle Blanche (Picpoul) - historically important, now just 3% plantings
Ugni Blanc
Colombard
Baco 22-A Blanc (hybrid)

Question 15

Describe the production method for Armagnac

Answer 15

Most commonly single distillation in an Alambic Armagnaçais still (modified column still that predates the Coffey) - no more that 40hl capacity

Also legal to double distilled in a Charantais pot still

Either way, distilled to max. 72% abv

Question 16

What is Blanche Armagnac AOP?

Answer 16

Armagnac that has aged in oak for no longer than 3 months, then bottled.
Achieved AOP status in 2005

Question 17

What is the aging requirement for VS or *** Armagnac? Is it the youngest spirit in the blend, or a style, or the average age?

Answer 17

Youngest spirit in the blend -

1-3 years old

Question 18

Which grapes were crossed to create the hybrid Baco 22A?

Answer 18

Folle Blanche x Noah (US hybrid)

Question 19

Which grapes were crossed to create the hybrid Baco 22A?

Answer 19

Folle Blanche x Noah (US hybrid)

Question 20

What are the aging requirements for Armagnac VSOP?

Answer 20

Minimum 4 years old

Question 21

What are the aging requirements for Armagnac XO or Hors d’Age?

Answer 21

More that 10 years old

Question 22

What does the vintage date on Armagnac indicate - the year of harvest or the year of distillation?

Answer 22

Year of harvest

Question 23

What is the soil type of Armagnac-Tenareze?

Answer 23

Limestone and clay

Boulbènes - fine siliceous soil

Question 24

What is the soil type of Bas Armagnac?

Answer 24

Siliceous-clay

Question 25

What is the soil type of Haut Armagnac?

Answer 25

Chalk, clay, limestone