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Cognac & Armagnac Flashcards

1
Q

Main River in Cognac region

A

Charente River

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2
Q

Location of Cognac

A

Southwest France - just north of Bordeaux

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3
Q

Climate of Cognac

A

Maritime

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4
Q

Preferred soil type for Cognac

A

soft chalk

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5
Q

Which two Cognac regions make the most elegant spirits?

A

Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne

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6
Q

Which Cognac regions make “entry-level” spirits?

A

Borderies, Bons Bois, Fins Bois, Bois Ordinaires

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7
Q

What is Fine Champagne?

A

A Cognac whose blend is a minimum of 50% Grande Champagne and the remainder from Petit Champagne

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8
Q

What must be true for a region to have their name on a label?

A

100% must come from that region

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9
Q

Which French king was born in Cognac?

A

Francis I - 1494 - Ascended the throne in 1515
*granted Cognac exemptions from taxes, forced loans & army levies

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10
Q

When was AOC Cognac created?

A

1909

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11
Q

Who are the “big four” Cognac houses?

A

Hennessy, Martell, Rémy Martin & Courvoisier

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12
Q

What is the moderating organization in Cognac?

A

Bureau National Interprofessional du Cognac (BNIC)

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13
Q

What percentage of Cognac is consumed in France?

A

3%

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14
Q

What is another name for Ugni Blanc?

A

Trebbiano Toscano

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15
Q

Mian grape in Cognac

A

Ugni Blnac

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16
Q

Additional permitted varieties in Cognac

A

Colombard, Folle Blanche, Montils, Sémillon, Folignan (cross between Folle Blanche and Ugni Blanc - limited to 10% of any blend)

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17
Q

What is the target ABV for Cognac’s base?

A

8.5-9.5%

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18
Q

Vine training in Cognac

A

double Guyot

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19
Q

True or False - Sulfur dioxide can be added to Cognac to stabilize the wine

A

False - it impacts the aroma too significantly

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20
Q

Chaudière d’eau-de-vie

A

Literally “spirit boiler.” Alternative name for an alembic Charentais still.

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21
Q

Première chauffe

A

First distillation in Cognac, which turns the base wine into brouillis.

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22
Q

Brouillis

A

Result of the first distillation
-26%-32% ABV

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23
Q

Bonne chauffe

A

Second distillation - takes brouillis and turns it into young, unaged Cognac

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24
Q

Cucurbite

A

Chamber that holds the brouillis for heating

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25
Col de cygne
Literally “swan’s neck.” Curved copper pipe that guides the vapor from the chapiteau to the chauffe-vin.
26
Chauffe-vin (réchauffe-vin)
Vessel filled with base wine through which the col de cygne passes, allowing the vapors to heat the wine before it enters the cucurbite
27
Serpentin
Device used as a condenser, consisting of five large copper coils immersed in water and fed vapor by the col de cygne.
28
Bassiot
Cylindrical tub that holds the water and the serpentin
29
Maître de chai
cellar master
30
Coupe
Literally “cut.” Separates the coeur from the secondes, determined by the maître de chai.
31
bouilleur de cru
grower-distiller -about 1/3 own their own stills -the rest rely on mobile stills
32
boulier de profession
professional distiller - purchases wine, distills it & then sells the resulting brandy
33
Distillation requirements for Cognace
-Double distillation -in a pot still - alembic Charentais - made of copper -must be distilled over an open flame
34
Forest surrounding Cognac
Bois
35
Which Cognac producer uses lees the most often?
Rémy Martin
36
Aging vessel for Cognac
French Oak -typically Tronças or Limousin -between 270-450L (most use 350L)
37
Why are most chai's near the Charente River?
Humidity. Promotes more alcohol loss in angel's share without reducing the aromatic content. Accelerates agings & creates a mellow, rounded Cognac
38
At what year do notes of vanilla become most pronounced in brandy?
10 years in oak
39
what alcoholic strength will Cognac have at 50 years of aging?
Around 46%
40
VS *** Sélection De Luxe Millésime
"Very Superior" or Special Minimum age of Brandy in blend - 2 years
41
Supérieur Cuvée Supérieure Qualité Supérieure
Min age of brandy in blend - 3 years
42
VSOP
Very Special Old Pale min age - 4 years
43
Réserve Vieux Rare Royal
Min age - 4 years
44
Vielle Réserve Réserve Rare Réserve Royale
min 5 years
45
Napoléon Très Vielle Réserve Très Vieux Héritage Très Rare Excellence Suprême
Min age 6 years
46
XO designation
Extra Old As of 2018, 10 years of aging
47
Hors d'Âge Extra Ancestral Ancêtre Or Gold Impérial
Min 10 years of aging
48
XXO
Min 14 years
49
Minimum ABV for Cognac after blending
40%
50
Boisé
a permitted additive - made by boiling oak chips in dark syrup
51
What is the ideal temperature for serving Cognac?
64 degrees
52
What is Hennessy's Grand Reserve
Paradis
53
What is Martell's Grand Reserve
Extra
54
What is Rémy Martin's Grand Reserve?
Louis VIII
55
What is Delamain's Grande Reserve?
Reserve de la Famille
56
Armagnac distillation requirements
May occur in continuous still (Alambic "armagnacais") May occur in a pot still - distilled 2xs
57
Aging requirements for Armagnac
minimum 1 year - oak casks of 400-420L
58
Armagnac VS/*** age
1-3 years old
59
Subregions of Armagnac
-Bas Armagnac -Armagnac-Tenareze -Haut Armagnac
60
Soil type for Bas Armagnac
sand, clay & boulbènes
61
Which subregion in Armagnac has the highest percentage of vineyards?
Bas Armagnac
62
What is the primary soil type for Armagnac-Tenareze?
Clay & Limestone
63
What is the soil type for Haut-Armagnac?
Chalky white soil
64
What is "Floc de Gascogne"?
Three parts unfermented grape juice fortified with one part Armagnac 16-18%ABV drunk as an aperitif
65
What is Armagnac Blanche?
created from Folle Blanche, Ugni Blanc and Baco - distilled early, aged for 3 months min
66

Advanced Somm Prep (18 decks)

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