Cognac and Armagnac Flashcards
What is the definition of Brandy according to the EU?
Distillation of wine with a minimum 36% alcohol and minimum 6 months oak aging
What are the six regions of production of Cognac?
Grande Champagne
Petite Champagne
Borderies
Fins Bois
Bon Bois
Bois Ordinaires (Bois à Terroirs)
What is the predominant soil type in Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne?
Soft Chalk
What is the predominant soil type in Borderies, Fins Bois, Bon Bois, and Bois Ordinaire?
Hard limestone
Sand
Clay
What is the primary grape variety used in Cognac?
Ugni Blanc
(Folle Blanche and Colombard are permitted but rare)
What is Cognac base wine like
Low ABV and highly acidic
What type of still is used in Cognac production?
A copper Charentais pot still
What is the first distillation called? What is the resulting ABV requirement?
Brouillis
28-32%
What are the parts of the second distillation?
Tête
Coeur (becomes Cognac)
Secondes
Queues
What is the bonne chauffe?
Second distillation
What are the aging designations of Cognac?
VS or *** (Very Special) - 2 years in cask
VSOP (Very Special (or Superior) Old Pale) - 4 years in cask
XO (Extra Old) - 10 years in cask
Label indicates youngest eau-de-vie in the blend
What percentage of a Cognac has to come from a stated region to be labled by region?
100%
Fine Champagne indicates what?
A combination of Grande and Petite Champange with a minimum 50% coming from Grande Champage
What are the three areas of production of Armagnac?
Haut-Armagnac
Bas-Armagnac
Armagnac-Ténarèze
What grapes are used in Armagnac production?
Ugni Blanc
Colombard
Folle Blanche
Baco Blanco
What is a local synonym for Folle Blanche?
Picpoul (distinct from Picpoul de Pinet)
What is the minimum ABV of Armagnac?
40%
How is Armagnac distilled?
Typically once in a continuous still
Can be distilled twice in a Charentais pot still (uncommon)
What are the age designations of Armagnac?
VS or *** - 1-3 years
VSOP - 4-9 years
XO or Hors d’Age - minimum 10 years
What is a coupage?
A barrel selection that is blended to achieve the desired outcome
Are vintage bottling more common in Cognac or Armagnac?
Armagnac (minimum 10 years cask aging)
What is the difference between Marc and Brandy?
Marc is distilled from unfermented grapes
Brandy is distilled from wine
What is an Italian synonym for Ugni Blanc?
Trebbiano
Cognac lies along what river?
Charentes River
