Cognac & Armagnac

Question 0

When was Cognac AOC first defined? Finalized?

Answer 0

1909. 1938.

Question 1

What is brandy called in France?

Answer 1

Eau de vie of grapes.

Question 2

What are the regions of Cognac, from best quality down?

Answer 2

Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois, Bois Ordinaires (Bois à Terroirs)

Question 3

What are the aging designations from youngest to oldest?

Answer 3

VS (***) at least 2 yrs in cask
VSOP (very special, or superior, old pale) at least 4 yrs in cask
XO (extra old) at least 6 yrs - min raised to 10 yrs in 2018

Question 4

How is Cognac distilled?

Answer 4

Twice in a copper, Charentais pot still.

Question 5

What is the Brouillis?

Answer 5

First distillation- 28-32% abv.

Question 6

Several batches of brouillis are returned to the still and distilled again to create what?

Answer 6

the tête (heads), coeur (heart), “second cuts” (secondes) and queue (tails). The distiller separates the heads, seconds and tails from the coeur, which makes up about 40% of the total volume of the brouillis and alone becomes Cognac.

Question 7

What is the bonne chauffe?

Answer 7

The second distillation.

Question 8

Cognac is produced primarily from what grape?

Answer 8

Ugni Blanc. 98% of vineyard acreage.

Question 9

What part of the second distillation is used to to make Cognac?

Answer 9

The coeur = 40% of total volume.

70% abv & colorless.

Question 10

Tradionally, oak casks were made from wood from what forests?

Answer 10

Limousin and Tronçais

Question 11

What are the requirements for a Cognac to be labeled Fine Champagne Cognac?

Answer 11

Wines must be produced solely with grapes from Grande Champagne & Petite Champagne with GC fruit composing at least 51% of the blend.

Question 12

What are the requirements for Cognac to be labeled by individual region?

Answer 12

100% originating for the named region

Question 13

What is the EU definition of brandy?

Answer 13

A distillation of wine (not pomace) with a minimum abv of 36% and minimum oak aging period of 6 months.

Question 14

Where is Cognac located?

Answer 14

Northwest of Bordeaux.

Question 15

What are the soils of GC & PC? Outlying areas?

Answer 15

Grand Champagne and Petite Champagne have a high percentage of soft chalk, the preferred soil for Cognac, whereas the outlying appellations have higher proportions of hard limestone, sand and clay.

Question 16

Describe the base wines used to make Cognac?

Answer 16

Low alcohol & high acid

Question 17

What are some of the difference, besides geographical, between Cognac and Armagnac?

Answer 17

Armagnac generally produced from a blend of grapes and most of it is distilled only once in a simple copper continuous still. This produces a more flavorful, less pure and lower alcohol spirits that double pot distillation.

Question 18

What are the three areas of production for Armagnac?

Answer 18

Haut-Armagnac, Bas-Armagnac, and Armagnac-Ténarèze.

Question 19

What are the grapes generally used for Armagnac production?

Answer 19

Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Folle Blanche (Picpoul), and Baco Blanc

Question 20

What is the distinction of one of the grapes used for Armagnac?

Answer 20

Baco Blanc is the only hybrid grape authorized in any French AOC/P appellation!

Question 21

What is Blanche Armagnac AOC?

Answer 21

Young Armagnac is aged in oak casks & bottled after 3 months in an inert container; it is a clear spirit that achieved appellation status in 2005

Question 22

Name two prominent Armagnac producers?

Answer 22

Larressingle and Château Laubade

Question 23

Name a few Cognac producers?

Answer 23

Rémy Martin, Hennessy, Martell, Courvoisier

Question 24

What are the types and aging requirements for Armagnac?

Answer 24

VS (***) aged in barrel 1-3 yrs
VSOP aged in barrel 4-9 yrs
XO (hors d’age) aged at least 10 yrs

Question 25

in Cognac, the cellarmaster will blend a number of barrel selections (coupage) in order to achieve a desired style that remains consistent throughout the years. True or False.

Answer 25

True. A mixture of distilled water and Armagnac (petites eaux) is added to the blend prior to bottling, to achieve the appropriate strength of spirit—a minimum 40% abv.

Question 26

Vintage bottling a are more common in Cognac and non-existent in Armagnac. True or False.

Answer 26

False. Rare in Cognac but more common in Amagnac. Must be aged at least 10 yrs in cask before bottling. Vintage bottles highlight the distinction of a particular harvest.

Question 27

What is the Vin de liqueur produced in Cognac? In Armagnac?

Answer 27

Pineau des Charentes

Floc de Gascogne