Classification of cognac. Classification of Russian and French cognacs

Cognac is called a very strong alcoholic beverage made by a certain technology. It is obtained as a result of double distillation (distillation) of white wine and its subsequent aging in special containers. Classification of cognac, depending on the place of its production, quality, blending can be very diverse. In this article we will consider this issue in detail.

Manufacturing and storage conditions

Each year, in October, juice is squeezed out of the young grapes. It is poured into a container, where the fermentation of the drink begins. This process continues until you get absolutely light wine. Then the future cognac is distilled on a special apparatus. For better maturation of cognac spirits, the drink is poured into oak barrels. For a long time it is contained in special rooms under a certain temperature regime. The aging process can take about fifty years. Oak wood enriches cognac with certain components and significantly accelerates the oxidation-reduction processes. The air penetrates into the wine through the pores of the barrels, forming a new aromatic bouquet. As a result, the drink acquires a characteristic taste and a unique golden color, the ductility disappears. In the process of aging cognac acquires all new flavors. After ten years, the resin-vanilla tones are fully manifested.

Classification of French cognacs

The division into the following types is developed by the National Interprofessional Bureau of Beverages. Buying alcohol produced in France, you should pay attention to the Latin capital letters on the label. VS - this is the so-called three stars. Drinks with this abbreviation, as a rule, have an excerpt more than two and a half years. Labels with Latin letters VO are placed on the oldest cognacs of France. Classification of elite alcohol, as a rule, is based on aging. For example, the VSOP symbols indicate a very high-quality alcohol. It has a light tinge. Storage of such drinks in the barrel lasts no less than four years. Cognacs labeled VVSOP are more aged (about five years), and, therefore, much better in quality. Extra Old (EO) drinks are among the oldest. Their exposure is not less than six years. In this case, the following words are often found in the name of alcohol: Hors d'age, Extra, Tres Vieux, Napoleon, Vieille Reserve.

Elite species

For beverages older than six years, cognac classification is not carried out by exposure. The National Interprofessional Bureau explains this quite simply. The whole point is that blending of alcohol with such restraint is impossible to control. Special pride of the cognac houses of France are elite drinks. On average, their age reaches 30-60 years. For this kind of alcohol, the traditional classification of cognac is not applied. As a rule, the name of elite wines uses its own names: "Hine Family Reserve", "Remi Martin Louis XIII", "Camus Jubilee", etc.

French manufacturers

Cognac drinks of this amazing country are considered the best in the world. To date, there are several large manufacturers of quality alcohol. The market leader is the Hennessy trademark, founded in 1765. Manufacturers of "Remy Martin" are focused exclusively on the creation of elite alcohol. In 1835, the cognacs of the trade mark "Courvoisier", supplied for the needs of the French imperial court, were born. Excellent quality is distinguished by drinks "Heine" (1763), "Gauter" (1755) and "Martel" (1715).

Place of origin

It's not a secret that the special noble taste and unique exquisite aroma are popular in all over the world brandy of France. The classification of these drinks is also carried out depending on the region in which alcohol was produced. The name "Grande Shampagne" indicates that the alcohol was created in the province of Grand Champagne. It is here that the most delicate and delicate grapes are grown. The inscription "Fine Shampagne" means that the cognac is made from a mixture of fruits grown in Petite and Grand Champagne in the proportion of 50/50. Other regions in which grapes were grown, as a rule, are not indicated.

Classification of Russian cognacs

In the Russian Federation and the countries of the former CIS, the following division was adopted.

• Ordinary cognac drinks. Their exposure is from three to five years. The sugar content in such samples is not more than 1, 5%, and the share of alcohol is about 40%. Ordinary cognacs are marked by a certain number of stars, usually from three to five. The average aging of beverages of this type is up to 5 years. Ordinary cognacs with special names have a volume fraction of alcohol of about 42%, sugar - 1.5%. Their endurance is not more than 4 years. These drinks are marked with four stars.
• Vintage cognacs have an exposure of more than six years. These drinks have their own names. The sugar content in alcohol is about 2.5%, and alcohol is in the range of 40-50%. In turn, branded drinks are divided into several varieties. Classification of cognac of this type is as follows: HF - alcohol, aged for at least six years; KVVK - beverages of the highest quality. On average, their exposure is about eight years. OC and COP - very old cognacs. They have an exposure of 10-15 years.
• There are also collection drinks. They are ready-made vintage cognacs, additionally aged after blending in oak barrels for about three years.

Division by taste

In the countries of the former USSR, depending on the aromatic bouquet of alcohol, there is the following classification of cognac. The first group includes beverages produced in Azerbaijan (Gek-Gel, Baku), Armenia (Selected, Jubilee), Uzbekistan and Dagestan. Alcoholic these countries has a strong flavor, enhanced extractivities and vanilla tones. The second group includes cognacs made in the Krasnodar Territory and Georgia ("Eniseli", "Sakartvelo", "Tbilisi", "Vardzia" brands). They are extractive, fresh, light, with floral tones. The third group includes Moldovan ("Sunny", "Festive", "Doina", "Surprise", "Chisinau", "Codru") and Ukrainian drinks. They are harmonious, have a peculiar bouquet, a delicate vanilla flavor. In addition, they are less extractive than alcoholic beverages of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The world of fine spirits is very diverse. We hope that this cognac classification will help you to better cope with the problem of choice.