Distilling Knowledge Cognac/Armanac Flashcards
What river runs to the city of cognac?
Charente
What are the 4 major houses of cognac?
Remy, Martell, Hennessey, Courvoisier
What is the soil type for the top Cognac Crus
Chalk and clay with good natural drainage
Why are screw presses banned?
Too much pressure will result in undesirable traits
How does Cognac avoid using SO2 to stabilize newly harvested grapes?
They rely on the high acid of the grapes to counter micro organisms and speedy careful handling to reduce contact with the air
When must distillation be completed
March 31st following the vintage
What distillation method is used in Cognac?
double pot distillation. First produces the brouillis. Second can not be stronger than 72.4abv. The heads and tails are redistilled with either the wine or the brouillis
What is a Charentais still
Must be used in Cognac by law. Must be made of copper, directly heated and use a worm tub condenser. Size limited to 140L for first and 30hL for second but not filled with more than 25hL liquid
What is the Martell method?
Removing the lees before distillation and diverting the heads and tails back into the wine significantly raising the alcohol level and therefore making a lighter less concentrated spirit
What is the Remy method?
Leaving the lees during distillation
What does lees do for Cognac?
Distilling with the lees produces a spirit with a richer mouth-feel and greater intensity and complexity
How is Cognac brought down to bottling strength?
not in 1 go as this can cause soapy flavors. Strength is gradually reduced over a period of time. Instead of water some producers with a Petite Eaux or Faibles (low strength blend of water and Cognac)
What was France’s first brandy?
Armagnac
What are the 3 Crus of Armagnac?
Bas Armagnac,
Tenereze
Haut Armagnac
What is the range of ABV Armagnac but be distilled
52% and 72.4%abv
