Cognac Flashcards
How was the general vine growing region around Cognac established?
3rd century, Emperor Probus encourages wine growing in the region
Describe how the Cognac region went from making table wine to fortified wine.
Throughout 16th century, Dutch start using the base wine from the area to create brandy. Beginning 17th century, double distilling reaches the area, Cognac is born
What where the advantages of Cognac compared to table wines for Dutch traders?
- The distillation and higher alcohol made the spirit less volatile during travel
- High alcohol content meant less space taken-up on the ships
How many varieties of vitis vinifera were used in Cognac prior to phylloxera?
Roughly 60
What is the max yield per hectare in AOP Cognac?
160hl/ha HIGH!
What is the most valuable AOP in all of France, in terms of revenue?
AOP Cognac
How many litres of wine does it take to make 1 litre of Cognac?
Roughly 9 litres
What percentage of all Cognac is exported?
98%, worth €2.6b in 2019
What is the general climate of AOP Cognac?
- Homogenous and mild maritime climate
- High rainfall
What is the general geology of AOP Cognac?
Landscape is limestone rich, plains, rolling hills, Charente river runs through the region
What is the main grape used in AOP Cognac?
Ugni Blanc accounts for 95% of the vineyards. Folle Blanche, Colombard, Semillon, Montils are also permitted
Why is Ugni Blanc the preferred grape of AOP Cognac?
- Responded best to grafting post-phylloxera
- High disease resistance
- Low sugar
- High acid
How were Cognac’s crus established?
Geologist Henri Coquand studied the soil and terroir of the region, defining 6 crus
What are the 6 crus of AOP Cognac?
- Grande Champagne
- Petite Champagne
- Borderies
- Fins Bois
- Bon Bois
- Bois Ordinaire
What is the Terroir of Grande Champagne (AOP Cognac)?
- Located south of Cognac city
- Smallest, highest quality cru
- Chalky soils on a bedrock of limestone and sandstone
What is the Terroir of Petite Champagne (AOP Cognac)?
- Circles the area of Grande Champagne
- Soils are pure limestone
What is the Terroir of Borderies (AOP Cognac)?
- Located west of Cognac town
- Soils are limestone and clay
What is the Terroir of Fins Bois (AOP Cognac)?
Soils are clay with a high proportion of iron and limestone
What is the Terroir of Bon Bois (AOP Cognac)?
Soils are clay with a high proportion of iron and limestone
What is the Terroir of Bois Ordinaire (AOP Cognac)?
- Lowest quality
- Mostly sandy soils
- Most maritime climate of all the crus
Is adding sulphur and chaptilization allowed in AOP cognac?
Fuck nah
What requirements are there for making the base wine for Cognac?
- Potential alc. 10-12%
- High acidity
- No sugar or sulphur added
- Must ferment fully (can add yeast)
- MLF encouraged as it stabilises the wine
By what day must cognac be fermented and distilled for it to achieve AOP status?
March 31st, year after harvest
What is the process for making Cognac
- Ferment wine fully
- Double distill in a Charentais Alembic (max 30hl per batch)
- Start maturation in oak March 31st
- Mature according to maturation requirements
- Rack, move to glass vessels
- Blend, add distilled water to bring alc. to 40%
What are the minimum oak maturation requirements for Cognac’s 5 classifications?
VS (very special): 2 years
VSOP (very special old pale): 4 years
XO (extra old): 10 years
XXO: 14 years
Vintage: Single harvest, 2 years
What different elements may be considered when blending Cognac?
- Terroirs
- Vintages
- Different maturation times, styles
What other AOP is shared with the area of AOP Cognac?
AOP Pineau des Charentes, vin de liqueur
What is AOP Pineau des Charentes?
- Vin de liqueur
- Freshly harvest grapes, sugar content must be above 170g/l when spirit is added
- Resulting mixture has an alc. of 16-22%, RS of min. 125g/L
- White, red, rose
What are the minimum maturation requirement for the various types of Pineau des Charentes?
White: Min 18months, 12 in oak
Red, rose: Min. 12 months, 8 in oak
“Vieux”: Min. 5 years oak
“Tres vieux”: Min 10 years oak
What are some examples of major Cognac producers?
- Hennessy
- Remy Martin
- Hine
- Courvoisier
- Martell
