What is the difference between cognac and brandy? Which is better: cognac or brandy. Kinds of cognacs

Despite the fact that brandy and cognac are quite similar drinks, there is a difference between them. There is an opinion that in order to distinguish between these drinks, you need to be a real professional. Very often you can find in the stores bottles with the inscription - cognac, although, in fact, it's brandy. To determine what brandy differs from brandy, you need to know the history and the process of producing these drinks.

general characteristics

Brandy - a strong alcoholic beverage, which is produced on a grape or fruit basis, is double distilled and then aged in oak barrels for more than 1.5 years. Popular brands: "Ararat", "Nairi", "Metaxa", "Kizlyar", etc.

Cognac - a certain type of brandy, which is produced in the territory of a particular province, in the department of Charentes, in the south of France. These types of cognacs meet the following requirements:

1. For production, only certain grape varieties are used, for example, Fol Blanche, Uny Blanc, Colombard, etc.
2. During production, it is necessary to follow a specifically developed regulation.
3. To improve color, only caramel or spirit tincture on oak shavings is allowed.
4. All types of cognac must have a strength of at least 40 degrees.

History of occurrence

For the first time, brandy was made by Dutch seafarers, who wanted to bring their own French wine to their homeland. During a long journey, it began to deteriorate, and then they decided to re-overtake the wine. After, having tried the received drink, they realized that the taste and fortress are significantly different from the final raw material. The seafarers again overtook the drink, and the taste became even more interesting. Here and there was brandy, which in translation means burnt wine.

In the future, seafarers began to sell this drink, but because of frequent wars, brandy, intended for trade, has been sheltered in oak barrels for several years. After this, having tried the drink, the seafarers were surprised, as it became less strong, but its flavor became more saturated, and the taste and color changed. The resulting drink was called "cognac". It differed significantly from brandy with its high quality, delicate taste and aroma. Judging by the history of origin, we can already conclude that cognac differs from brandy: the production process, aging, raw materials, etc.

Cognac production

After the harvest of grapes is harvested, it is pressed and then fermented for three weeks. As a result, a young wine is obtained, which is distilled and obtained from it cognac spirit. Exposure is a complex process that takes place in several stages. The first stage takes place in new oak barrels, in which there is a huge amount of tannins. Thanks to this drink gets the aroma of oak, vanilla, spices, and of course, a specific color. After that, the drink is poured into other, older barrels, etc. After all, the older the barrel, the less aromas it gives to cognac, which means that the drink ripens in its evaporation, thereby saturating. For 50 years of aging, the amount of brandy alcohol is reduced by more than 3 times. This is the complexity of producing this incredible drink.

Brandy production

A drink such as brandy has a huge number of subspecies, which depend on the place and mode of production. There is no specific regulation for the production of brandy, although there are 3 exceptions to this rule: armagnac, cognac and calvados. Here, under the name of cognac, is meant one of the subspecies of brandy, which is produced in the French province of Cognac. Basically, each country has its own individual technologies that use different raw materials, etc. In the European Union there are certain rules implying that a drink called brandy must meet such requirements:

• Produced from grape wine;
• Persist for longer than 6 months;
• The fortress must be more than 36%;
• A real drink - not tinted, not diluted and not flavored.

Cognac and brandy, the difference between which is significant, can be found in almost all supermarkets. To buy a good brandy, you need to know its main properties:

1. The drink has a pleasant aroma, which depends on the raw materials used for production.
2. Brandy has a golden brown color.

What is the difference between cognac and brandy?

Many believe that these drinks are identical, but in fact there are significant differences that you need to know about:

1. Cognac is a certain alcoholic beverage, and brandy represents a series of different strong wines.
2. Cognac has a fortress of 40 degrees, and the brandy fortress ranges from 40 to 72 degrees.
3. Cognac is made from certain grape varieties, and for brandy you can use a variety of fruit and fruit juices.
4. This cognac is kept only in oak barrels, and the material for brandy packaging does not matter.
5. Brandy producers are in many countries, and cognac is produced only in the French city of Cognac.
6. The difference between brandy and cognac is also in price. For a real cognac will have to pay a considerable amount.

How to drink brandy?

Each person determines for himself what is best: cognac or brandy. However, if we proceed from the manufacturing process and taste sensations, the first option is still preferable. Now you need to find out how to drink brandy properly, to enjoy the incredible taste and aroma.

Key recommendations

1. Not many people know that the shape of the glass is of particular importance, since it affects the flavor and taste of cognac. In France, this drink is consumed exclusively in tulip-shaped glasses, because thanks to this form, aromas accumulate in the upper part and enable you to recognize all the notes of cognac.
2. First you need to check the quality of the tasting drink. To do this, pour in a glass of about 40 ml of it and touch your finger to one of the walls of the glass. If, on the other hand, you see a fingerprint, it means that the cognac is quality.
3. Use it usually after the main meal, before serving tea or coffee. Cognac is not accepted to mix with other liquids.
4. There is also a way that allows you to determine the cognac extract. To do this, you need to rotate the glass for a while, so that there are traces of the drink on the walls. If they are visible for 5 seconds - cognac has an exposure of about 8 years, if about 15 seconds, then the drink has an exposure of about 20 years.
5. Now you need to pour the cognac and leave it for a moment, so that the fragrance completely opens. The temperature of cognac should be above room temperature, for this, hold the glass in your hand for a while.
6. Before you start drinking, inhale the aroma of the drink for a while, so you will fully experience the charm of the cognac.
7. Drink should be drunk in small sips to fully enjoy the taste. Biting cognac with lemon is not recommended, since citrus fruits kill the taste and aroma of the drink. Well, we should not even say that cognac should not be mixed with cola and other carbonated drinks.

We have already found out what brandy differs from brandy, but drink the same way. To enjoy the taste of brandy, follow all of the above recommendations.

Conclusion

Now you are familiar with the basic rules that will help you choose really high quality and real drinks. If you do not know what is best to choose: brandy or cognac, then start tasting with cheaper options. Thanks to this you will be able to find the best and most acceptable option for yourself.