If you perceive the cognac in your glass as sweet, it’s most likely a trick being played on your mind. Any sugars that made it through the distillation process would be in trace amounts and likely imperceptible to the human tongue. That includes during fermentation when grapes are crushed and yeast is pitched. Does Cognac add sugar?Ĭognac makers cannot add sugar during any step in the process. In addition, floral notes like lilac rose, orange blossom and violet are often used to describe cognac’s signature flavor. These flavors and aromas include dried apricots, lychee, orange zest, peach and plum. However, cognac has many fruit flavors that come about from using wine as the source material for distillation. Regulators prevent the use of sulfites as a preservation agent, and the deadline ensures only fresh, bright and unaged wines are distilled into eau de vie spirit. The season starts in November after the first wines have fermented, and producers only have until March 31 to distill all of the year’s wine into spirit. But following the harvest and crush, the distilling season kicks into effect. As with all wine regions, the harvest season is the busiest time of year in the Cognac region. The seasonality of the distilling season is a reflection of the origins of cognac as a wine byproduct. This is a much lower proof than a traditional second distillation during the bourbon-making process. After double distillation, the clear spirit comes off the alembic still at about 120-proof, or 60 percent alcohol by volume. Once the grapes have been crushed and fermented into wine, it’s time for the cognac maker to distill that wine into clear, unaged brandy or eau de vie.Ī type of traditional pot still called an alembic is used to distill cognac. Cognac vs Whiskey vs Bourbon: How is it made? The port at Bordeaux allowed fine cognac to become a high-end export centuries ago. Helena in 1814 were crates of Courvoisier cognac. In fact, among the possessions Napoleon Bonaparte brought with him during his exile on St. The AOC rules for cognac were first established in 1909 - but the history of the spirit is much older. But when it is distilled into spirit, it takes on a life of its own. The region is known for its chalky soils, which create a wine low in alcohol, highly acidic and tastes lousy on its own. Secondary grapes are Folle Blanche and Colombard. What grape makes Cognac?Ĭognac is made using white wine grape varietals - the majority of which are Ugni Blanc. The Grand Champagne and Petite Champagne districts are considered the highest quality, and the term ‘Fine Champagne’ on the label means that the grapes were grown there. There are six subdivisions: Boi Ordinaires, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois, Bois Ordinaires, Grand Champagne and Petite Champagne. All of the information on the label regarding the wine’s region, sub-region, commune, village or any other particular classification was vetted by the AOC.Ĭognac must be produced from grapes grown within the Charente and Charente-Maritime departments of France, which surround the town of Cognac. The next time you uncork a bottle of Bordeaux or Chablis wine, look for the AOC seal. These standards - often with centuries of tradition guiding them -influence what can be placed on the label for wine, cognac and wine and other beverages. The Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée - or AOC - is a set of standards set by the French government, through the governing body - Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité. When it comes to rules and regulations for the production of alcoholic beverages, nobody in the world is as thorough as the French. In fact, it can only be made in the Cognac region of southwestern France. More specifically, it’s a type of brandy that can only be made in France. What is Cognac? And what makes Cognac so special?Ĭognac is a type of brandy. All bourbons are whiskey, but not all whiskies are bourbon.įor more information, see our thorough Brandy vs. All cognacs are brandy, but not all brandies are cognac. Whiskey is made from grain.Ĭognac is a type of brandy. Maturation Requirements: Cognac vs Whiskey vs Bourbonīrandies are made from grape or fruit wine.Cognac vs Whiskey vs Bourbon: Key Differences.Cognac vs Whiskey vs Bourbon: Where are they made?.Cognac vs Whiskey vs Bourbon: Maturation Process.Cognac vs Whiskey vs Bourbon: How is it made?.What is Cognac? And what makes Cognac so special?.
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