Cognac & Armagnac Flashcards
When was Cognac AOC first defined? Finalized?
- 1938.
What is brandy called in France?
Eau de vie of grapes.
What are the regions of Cognac, from best quality down?
Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois, Bois Ordinaires (Bois à Terroirs)
What are the aging designations from youngest to oldest?
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
How is Cognac distilled?
Twice in a copper, Charentais pot still.
What is the Brouillis?
First distillation- 28-32% abv.
Several batches of brouillis are returned to the still and distilled again to create what?
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.
What is the bonne chauffe?
The second distillation.
Cognac is produced primarily from what grape?
Ugni Blanc. 98% of vineyard acreage.
What part of the second distillation is used to to make Cognac?
The coeur = 40% of total volume.
70% abv & colorless.
Tradionally, oak casks were made from wood from what forests?
Limousin and Tronçais
What are the requirements for a Cognac to be labeled Fine Champagne Cognac?
Wines must be produced solely with grapes from Grande Champagne & Petite Champagne with GC fruit composing at least 51% of the blend.
What are the requirements for Cognac to be labeled by individual region?
100% originating for the named region
What is the EU definition of brandy?
A distillation of wine (not pomace) with a minimum abv of 36% and minimum oak aging period of 6 months.
Where is Cognac located?
Northwest of Bordeaux.
What are the soils of GC & PC? Outlying areas?
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.
Describe the base wines used to make Cognac?
Low alcohol & high acid
What are some of the difference, besides geographical, between Cognac and Armagnac?
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.
What are the three areas of production for Armagnac?
Haut-Armagnac, Bas-Armagnac, and Armagnac-Ténarèze.
What are the grapes generally used for Armagnac production?
Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Folle Blanche (Picpoul), and Baco Blanc
What is the distinction of one of the grapes used for Armagnac?
Baco Blanc is the only hybrid grape authorized in any French AOC/P appellation!
What is Blanche Armagnac AOC?
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
Name two prominent Armagnac producers?
Larressingle and Château Laubade
Name a few Cognac producers?
Rémy Martin, Hennessy, Martell, Courvoisier
What are the types and aging requirements for Armagnac?
VS (***) aged in barrel 1-3 yrs
VSOP aged in barrel 4-9 yrs
XO (hors d’age) aged at least 10 yrs
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.
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.
Vintage bottling a are more common in Cognac and non-existent in Armagnac. True or False.
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.
What is the Vin de liqueur produced in Cognac? In Armagnac?
Pineau des Charentes
Floc de Gascogne
