cognac, armagnac

Question 1

What specific area must the grapes for cognac be grown?

Answer 1

To the north of Bordeaux, south-west France.

Question 2

What grape is usually used when making cognac?

Answer 2

Ugni Blanc

Question 3

Character of Ugni Blanc?

Answer 3

Raisin and violets

Question 4

What is the 3 sub religions of Cognac?

Answer 4

1) Borderies
2) Grande Champagne
3) Petite Champagne

Question 5

How must Cognac be distilled?

Answer 5

-In copper pot stills.
-Directly heated with flames (gas burners).
-Older style condenser, called “warm tub” is as big as the pot still.
-single coiled copper pipe in which the vapors condense back into liquid.

Question 6

How must cognac be matured?

Answer 6

Oak barrels
minimun 2 years
start in new oak, finish in old

Question 7

What can you do to give the spirit more diversity?

Answer 7

Blend.
use grapes that are grown in different sub religions
oak management
spirit with different ages

Question 8

What can you do with the cognac before bottling?

Answer 8

slightly sweeted=off dry
caramel color can be used

Question 9

Cognac is dominated by 4 big companies, which?

Answer 9

Rémy Martin, Martell, Courvoisier and Hennessy

Question 10

What is the labelling terms for Cognac and what aromas can you expect?

Answer 10

1) VS = very special (minimum 2 years). Distinct fruit, oak.
2) VSOP = very superior Old Pale (minimum 4 years). Aromas of maturity.
3) XO = extra old, Hors dáge (minimum 10 years). Raisin, floral, oak and rancio. Smooth mouthfeel.

Question 11

What religion must Armagnac grapes come from?

Answer 11

South of Bordeaux.

Question 12

What grape varieties is used for Armagnac?

Answer 12

Ugni Blanc, Baco blanc, Folle Blanche

Question 13

How is Armagnac distilled and what character does it give to the spirit?

Answer 13

unique continuous column stills, they are very short with few plates and gives characterful low-strength spirits.

Question 14

Two noteable differences when it comes to maturation between cognac and Armagnac?

Answer 14

(ARMAGNAC)
1) Vintage dated products are more common in Armagnac. Grapes harvest in the same year.
2) They have not been matured in oak but inert vessels, fruity qualities

Question 15

How do you label Armagnac?

Answer 15

1) Blanche, 3 months in stainless steel
2) VS= very special, 1 year
3) VSOP= Very Superior Old Pale, 4 years
4) Hors ´dáge, Vintage, XO= Extra old, 10 years

Question 16

What 2 religions is important for Armagnac spirit production?

Answer 16

Bas Armagnac
Armagnac Ténaréze

Question 17

Where can you find Calvados?

Answer 17

North of France, Normandy

Question 18

What is Calvados made from?

Answer 18

Appel and pears

Question 19

How is Calvados distilled?

Answer 19

Same pot stills as cognac, coloumn stills that are similar to armagnac

Question 20

How is Calvados matured?

Answer 20

Large old oak vessels, they do not give as much oak flavor as barrels do= they can retain the aroma of cider apples

Question 21

What grape Brady can you find in Chile and Peru?

Answer 21

Pisco

Question 22

How is the brandy destilled?

Answer 22

In pot stills

Question 23

What is the character of a Pisco brandy?

Answer 23

Highly aromatic grapes, unaged, prune, pronounced fruity and floral aromas. Vibrant fruity character.

Question 24

Italy is celebrated for their pomace brandy called:

Answer 24

Grappa

Question 25

What character does grappa have?

Answer 25

herbaceous with a sharp texture

Question 26

In which 3 ways do the best examples differentiate themselves in grappa?

Answer 26

1) aromatic grape varieties such as moscato= floral and fruit aromas
2) matured in innert vessels for a year or more=fuller smoother texture, complex flavors
3) maturation in wood barrels for aromatic complexity and textural balance

Question 27

Where can you find fresh grape and pomace brandies in the rest of the world?

Answer 27

Spain, South Africa, Mexico