French Brandy

Question 1

What is another name for Cognac?

Answer 1

Eau-de-vie des Charentes

Question 2

Name the GDs of Cognac from most to least important fancy

Answer 2

Grande Champagne
Petite Champagne
Borderies
Fins Bois
Bons Bois
Bois Ordinaires/Bois a Terroirs

Question 3

What grapes are permitted for Cognac?

Answer 3

Colombard
Folle Blanche
Ugni Blanc
Semillon
Montils

Question 4

What I the minimum alcohol for Cognac AOP?

Answer 4

min 40% abv

Question 5

Outside of the chalky center of Cognac, what is the soil?

Answer 5

Hard limestone, clay, sand

Question 6

When was Cognac first defined? When was it finalized?

Answer 6

1909

1938

Question 7

What is a synonym for Ugni Blanc in Cognac?

Answer 7

Saint Emilion

Question 8

What kind of still is used in Cognac?

Answer 8

Copper Charentais pot still

Question 9

Hw many times is Cognac distilled?

Answer 9

twice

Question 10

What are the distillations and alcohol levels of Cognac called?

Answer 10

First distillation: Brouillis 28-32%

Second: Bonne Chauffe ~70%

Question 11

Where does Cognac oak typically come from?

Answer 11

Limousin and Troncais

Question 12

What additives may be used for Cognac Armagnac?

Answer 12

Caramel
Water
Sugar
Oak chips

Question 13

What are the age indications for Cognac?

Answer 13

VS/***: 2 yrs in cask
Superior: min 3 yrs
VO/VSOP/Reserve: min 4 yrs
VVSOP/Grande Reserve: min 5 yrs
Napoleon: min 6 yrs
XO: min 10 yrs
XXO: min 14 yrs

Question 14

What are the synonyms for VS Cognac?

Answer 14

de Luxe
Grand Choix
Surchoix

Question 15

What are the synonyms for Napolean Cognac?

Answer 15

Extra
Royal
Tres Vieux
Vieille Reserve

Question 16

What is the min amount of Grande Champagne to be labeled Fine Champagne Cognac?

Answer 16

min 50%

the rest must be Petite Champagne

Question 17

What does the vintage date on a bottle of Cognac refer to?

Answer 17

the harvest year, not the distillation year

Question 18

What is a synonym for Picpoul?

Answer 18

Folle Blanche

Question 19

What is the only hybrid grape allowed in any French AOP? What AOP is it allowed in?

Answer 19

Baco Blanc

Armagnac AOP

Question 20

How is most Armagnac distilled?

Answer 20

Once in a copper continuous still aka Alembic “Armagnacais” still

Question 21

How long is Blanche Armagnac AOP aged?

Answer 21

3 months in an inert container

Question 22

What are the age indications for Armagnac?

Answer 22

VS/***: 1-3 yrs
VSOP/Napoleon: min 4 yrs
XO: min 10 yrs
Hors d'Age: min 10 yrs
XO Premium: min 20 yrs
Vintage: min 10 yrs in oak

Question 23

What are the soils of Armagnac by subregion?

Answer 23

Tenareze: clay-limestone and boulbenes
Bas: Silicious-clay, sand, boulbenes
Haut: Chalk, clay, limestone

Question 24

What is Boulbenes soil? Name two areas where it is found.

Answer 24

Very fine siliceous soil, easily compressed and are to work.

Entre-Deux-Mers and Armagnac

Question 25

What are the AOPs of Armagnac?

Answer 25

``` Armagnac AOP Armagnac-Tenareze AOP Bas Armagnac AOP Haut Armagnac AOP Blanche Armagnac AOP ```

Question 26

What are the Marc AOPs?

Answer 26

Marc d'Alsace AOP Marc de Bourgogne AOP Marc du Jura AOP

Question 27

What are the regulations for Marc d'Alsace AOP?

Answer 27

100% Gewurztraminer Must be destemmed May not be aged in wood Min 3 months in inert container

Question 28

What are the age indications for Marc de Bourgogne AOP?

Answer 28

None: 2 yrs in barrels 600 L or smaller Vieille: min 4 yrs Tres Vieille: min 6 yrs Hors d'Age: min 10 yrs

Question 29

What are the varietal restrictions for Marc du Jura AOP?

Answer 29

min 3 varieties, including Savagnin

Question 30

What are the age indications for Marc du Jura AOP

Answer 30

None: min 2 yrs in wood less than 600L Vieux: min 5 yrs in oak Tres Vieux: min 8 yrs in oak Hors d'Age: min 10 yrs in oak

Question 31

What is the traditional bottle of Kirsch de Fougerolles AOP?

Answer 31

A 70 cl Bô (resembles a Tokaji btl)

Question 32

What is the aging for Kirsch de Fougerolles AOP?

Answer 32

min 6 mo in a neutral container

Question 33

Outside of Calvados, what are the AOPs for apple brandy in France?

Answer 33

Eaux-de-Vie de Cidre de Bretagne AOP | Eaux-de-Vie de Cidre du Maine AOP

Question 34

What are the age indications for Calvados AOP?

Answer 34

Fine/***/Trois Pommes/VS: min 2 yrs Vieux/Reserve: min 3 yrs VO/VSOP/Vieille Reserve: min 4 yrs Hors d'Age/XO: min 6 yrs

Question 35

What are the training systems for Calvados AOP? Where do the branches start?

Answer 35

Haut Tige: min 1.6 m off ground for apples, or 1.8 m for pears En Basse Tige: below 1.6/1,8 meters off the ground

Question 36

What is the max amount of Poire in Calvados Pays d'Auge AOP?

Answer 36

max 30% poire

Question 37

What is the min amount of pear in Calvados Domfrontais AOP?

Answer 37

min 30% poire

Question 38

What is the min again requirements for Calvados Domfrontais and Pays d'Auge?

Answer 38

Min 3 yrs in oak, max 200 L, so age indications start at Vieux, rather than VS/Fine

Question 39

What is estate bottled called in Calvados?

Answer 39

Production Fermiere/ Produit Fermier