Cognac Flashcards
What is the EU definition of Brandy?
Spirit distilled from grapes (not pomace).
Minimum abv of 36%
6 mos minimum oak aging.
What are the six regions of Cognac?
Grande Champagne Petite Champagne Borderies Fins Bois Bons Bois Bois Ordinaires (Bois à Terroirs)
What is the major soil type in Grande and Petite Champagne?
Soft Chalk
What are the grapes of Cognac?
Ugni Blanc (98% of acreage), Colombard, Folle Blanche
How is Cognac distilled?
Twice, in a Charantais pot still.
What is the first distillation of Cognac?
Brouillis, a spirit of 28-32% abv.
What is the second distillation of Cognac?
Bonne Chauffe
How is the bonne chauffe divided?
Tête
Coeur
Secondes
Queue
What cut of the bonne chauffe becomes Cognac?
The Coeur, making up about 40% of the Bonne Chauffe
What is the traditional oak for Cognac?
Limousin or Tronçais
What is VS or ***?
Very Special: Cognac aged at least 2 years in cask.
What is VSOP?
Very Special/Superior Old Pale: Cognac aged at least 4 years in cask.
What is XO?
Extra Old: Cognac matured at least 6 years in cask (will be 10 years starting in 2016).
What does the minimum age refer to?
The youngest eau-de-vie in the blend.
Does vintage Cognac exist?
Yes, but it’s very rare.
To list a specific region, how much of the Cognac must come from there?
100.00%
What is Fine Champagne Cognac?
Cognac from wines produced exclusively in Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne, with at least 50% coming from Grande Champagne.
What is the minimum aging for all AOC Cognac?
2 years in oak
Along with VS and ***, what terms indicate a Cognac with at least two years of age?
de Luxe
Grand Choix
Surchoix
What is Supérieur Cognac?
Cognac with a minimum 3 years of aging
Along with VSOP, what terms indicate a cognac with at least four years of age?
VO
Réserve
What do VVSOP and Grande Réserve indicate on a bottle of Cognac?
Cognac with a minimum 5 years of aging
Along with XO, what terms currently indicate a Cognac with at least 6 years of age?
Napoléon Extra Royal Très Vieux Vieille Réserve
What two terms indicate a Cognac with at least five years of age?
Grande Réserve
VVSOP
What is Esprit de Cognac AOC?
The product of a third distillation in a pot still, with an average alcohol of 80-85%.
Used solely as an agent to adjust alcohol in Champagne.
