France: Cognac Flashcards
What is the river of the Cognac region?
Charente
What are the four major houses of Cognac?
Rémy Martin
Hennessey
Martell
Courvoisier
What percentage of the volume of Cognac is sold as VS and VSOP?
80%
What style of Cognac sells the most? (VS, VSOP, XO, Napoleon, etc.)
VS and VSOP (80%)
What is the main grape of Cognac?
Ugni Blanc (98% of plantings)
Name the 6 grapes of Cognac
- Ugni Blanc
- Colombard
- Folle Blanche
- Sémillon
- Montils
- Folignan (max. 10%)
Folignan is a crossing of which two grapes?
Folle Blanche x Ugni Blanc
Name the 6 winemaking crus (winegrowing areas) of Cognac.
- Grande Champagne
- Petite Champagne
- Borderies
- Fin Bois
- Bon Bois
- Bois Ordinaires
What are the three main regions of Cognac?
- Grande Champagne
- Petit Champagne
- Borderies
What are the two main types of soil for the best Cognacs?
Chalk and clay
How are grapes harvested in Cognac? Why?
Grapes are harvested by machine. They need to be immediately processed because producers in Cognac may not add sulfur to the grapes/must
May producers growing grapes for Cognac chaptalize?
No–the aim is to produce a low-alcohol wine so that the flavors and congeners can be concentrated by distillation
How soon after harvest must grapes destined for Cognac be distilled?
Distillation must take place by March 31 of the year following the harvest.
What type of distillation is used in Cognac?
Double Pot Still Distillation
What is brouillis?
The product of the first distillation in the production of Cognac. Approximately 27-30% abv
What is the name of the first distillation in the production of Cognac?
Brouillis
New make Cognac must not exceed what abv?
72.4%
What are the terms for “heads” and “tails” in Cognac production?
têtes (heads)
secondes (tails)
What does têtes refer to in the production of Cognac?
The “heads” of the second distillation
What does secondes refer to in the production of Cognac?
Tails from the second distillation
What is the type of still used in Cognac?
Charentais copper pot still
What type of condenser must be used in the production of Cognac?
Worm tub condenser
The first distillation in the production of Cognac must take place in stills of what size?
Max. 140hL
Stills for the second distillation in Cognac must be what size?
Max. 30hL, may not be filled with more than 25hL of liquid
