Cognac Flashcards
As of what year did XO Cognac become a 10yr aging designation?
2018
How many times is Cognac distilled?
Twice
In blended Cognacs of mulitple vintages, the age minimums refer to what?
The age of the youngest Eaxu-de-Vie in the blend. (by date of harvest year, not distillation date)
May the base wines for Cognac be chaptalized or sulphured?
no to both.
Name the mold on the cellar walls of the Cognac houses?
Torula Cognaciensis
True or False? Water and caramel can be added to Cognac prior to bottling?
Ture
What are the six regions of production for Cognac AOP?
- Bois Ordinaires (Bois a Terroirs)
- Bons Bois
- Fin Bois
- Borderies
- Grand Champagne
- Petit Champagne
What are the aging requirements for Cognac Supérieur?
Min. 3yrs
What are the aging requirements for VO/VSOP/Reserve Cognac?
Min 4yrs
What are the aging requirements for VS Cognac?
Min 2yrs
What are the allowed additives for Cognac?
Caramel, oak chips, sugar and water to adjust prior to bottling.
What does a bottle of vintage Cognac indicate?
The vintage comes from the year that the grapes were harvested, not the year of distillation.
What does Fine Champagne indicate on a bottle of Cognac?
That a min. 50% of the Eaux-de-Vie comes from Grand Champagne and the rest from Petit Champagne.
What forest does the oak come from for Cognac aging?
Limousin & Tronçais forests.
What is a Charentais Still?
Copper Pot still used for distillation of Cognac?
What is the first distillation of Cognac called?
Brouillis
What is the main grape of Cognac? What other grapes are permitted?
Ugni Blanc. (St. Emilion) accounts for 98%.
Folle Blance and Colombard are permitted but rare.
What is the name for the part of the second distillate in Cognac that is kept for aging, and what is its ABV?
The Coeur
70% abv
What is the % of Eaux-de-Vie from a specific sub-zone is required if that sub zone is indicated on the label?
100%
What is the second distillation of Cognac called and what are the different parts?
The Bonne Chauffe
- *Tête** (heads)
- *Coeur** (heart cuts)
- *Seconds** (second cut)
- *Queue** (tails)
What is the soil of Bons Bois and Bois Ordinaries?
Sand
What is the soil of Grand Champagne and Petit Champagne?
Limestone and soft chalk
What part of the Bonne Chauffe will become Cognac?
The Coeur
about 40% of the total distillation
What styles of Cognac are aged for min. 6yrs?
Napoléon
Extra
Royal
Trés Vieux
Vieille Réserve
Why are the two top regions in Cognac named after “Champagne”?
The landscape is rolling plains (and the origin of the word “Champagne” is “Rolling Plain”) and the soil is chalk based and white like in Champagne.
Who produces the bottling “Paradis”?
Hennessy
Name three permitted grapes for the production of Cognac other than Ugni Blanc?
Colombard
Folle Blanche
Montlis
Sémillon
Folignan
When must distillation be complete for Cognac and Armagnac?
March 31st of the year following the harvest.
(all Armagnac subzones as well)
