Cognac

Question 1

As of what year did XO Cognac become a 10yr aging designation?

Answer 1

2018

Question 2

How many times is Cognac distilled?

Answer 2

Twice

Question 3

In blended Cognacs of mulitple vintages, the age minimums refer to what?

Answer 3

The age of the youngest Eaxu-de-Vie in the blend. (by date of harvest year, not distillation date)

Question 4

May the base wines for Cognac be chaptalized or sulphured?

Answer 4

no to both.

Question 5

Name the mold on the cellar walls of the Cognac houses?

Answer 5

Torula Cognaciensis

Question 6

True or False? Water and caramel can be added to Cognac prior to bottling?

Answer 6

Ture

Question 7

What are the six regions of production for Cognac AOP?

Answer 7

1. Bois Ordinaires (Bois a Terroirs)
2. Bons Bois
3. Fin Bois
4. Borderies
5. Grand Champagne
6. Petit Champagne

Question 8

What are the aging requirements for Cognac Supérieur?

Answer 8

Min. 3yrs

Question 9

What are the aging requirements for VO/VSOP/Reserve Cognac?

Answer 9

Min 4yrs

Question 10

What are the aging requirements for VS Cognac?

Answer 10

Min 2yrs

Question 11

What are the allowed additives for Cognac?

Answer 11

Caramel, oak chips, sugar and water to adjust prior to bottling.

Question 12

What does a bottle of vintage Cognac indicate?

Answer 12

The vintage comes from the year that the grapes were harvested, not the year of distillation.

Question 13

What does Fine Champagne indicate on a bottle of Cognac?

Answer 13

That a min. 50% of the Eaux-de-Vie comes from Grand Champagne and the rest from Petit Champagne.

Question 14

What forest does the oak come from for Cognac aging?

Answer 14

Limousin & Tronçais forests.

Question 15

What is a Charentais Still?

Answer 15

Copper Pot still used for distillation of Cognac?

Question 16

What is the first distillation of Cognac called?

Answer 16

Brouillis

Question 17

What is the main grape of Cognac? What other grapes are permitted?

Answer 17

Ugni Blanc. (St. Emilion) accounts for 98%.

Folle Blance and Colombard are permitted but rare.

Question 18

What is the name for the part of the second distillate in Cognac that is kept for aging, and what is its ABV?

Answer 18

The Coeur

70% abv

Question 19

What is the % of Eaux-de-Vie from a specific sub-zone is required if that sub zone is indicated on the label?

Answer 19

100%

Question 20

What is the second distillation of Cognac called and what are the different parts?

Answer 20

The Bonne Chauffe

• *Tête** (heads)
• *Coeur** (heart cuts)
• *Seconds** (second cut)
• *Queue** (tails)

Question 21

What is the soil of Bons Bois and Bois Ordinaries?

Answer 21

Sand

Question 22

What is the soil of Grand Champagne and Petit Champagne?

Answer 22

Limestone and soft chalk

Question 23

What part of the Bonne Chauffe will become Cognac?

Answer 23

The Coeur

about 40% of the total distillation

Question 24

What styles of Cognac are aged for min. 6yrs?

Answer 24

Napoléon
Extra
Royal
Trés Vieux
Vieille Réserve

Question 25

Why are the two top regions in Cognac named after “Champagne”?

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

Who produces the bottling “Paradis”?

Answer 26

Hennessy

Question 27

Name three permitted grapes for the production of Cognac other than Ugni Blanc?

Answer 27

Colombard
Folle Blanche
Montlis
Sémillon
Folignan

Question 28

When must distillation be complete for Cognac and Armagnac?

Answer 28

March 31st of the year following the harvest.

(all Armagnac subzones as well)