Cognac is considered one of the most famous and noble spirits. There is a very small number of men who would not appreciate this drink and did not give it a preference on the background of many others. Yes, and women find it useful in their pursuit of beauty. Nevertheless, for many so far remains a mystery, as well as what makes brandy. It's not a secret that this drink comes from France. Its name comes from the name of a small town of Cognac (Cognac), which is located in the south-west of France.
Cognac is a strong alcoholic beverage, which is the result of double distillation of white wine. After distillation, the beverage is kept in oak barrels.
The technology of cognac production can be called art. The whole process of making cognac can be divided into several stages:
- directly harvesting grapes;
- pressing of berries;
- distillation;
- standing in barrels;
- mixing.
What is cognac made of? As a rule, the main grape for the production of cognac is white grape variety "Uni Blanc". This is a variety with a high acidity, which slowly ripens. Also, this grapes can be characterized as being resistant to diseases, and, as a result, high yield.
In addition to Uni Blanc, according to the recipe for the production of cognac, such varieties as Colombard and Fol Blanche are also used. Each of the three varieties of grapes brings its aroma to the bouquet of the drink. So, Uni Blanc, gives it floral flavors with barely noticeable notes of spices. Fol Blanche - significantly improves the quality of the drink with aging, smells of linden and violets, and Colombar - sharpness and strength. Harvesting of grapes, as a rule, begins in October. Immediately after the collection is over, grape juice is squeezed out. And such presses are used for pressing, which do not crush the grape seed.
After the juice is sent to fermentation. Add sugar in the process of fermentation is strictly prohibited by law. This process lasts about 3 weeks and after its termination, wines that contain 9% of alcohol, as well as wines with high acidity, are sent for distillation.
This process is very difficult to describe and occurs in the so-called "charentian distillation cube". As a result, cognac alcohol is obtained. This liquid must be kept in oak barrels for at least 2 years and only then it can be called cognac. The maximum exposure time is unlimited. However, experts who are engaged in the production of cognac, argue that aging this drink for more than 70 years has no effect on its merits.
Oak barrels for aging this noble drink are not chosen by chance. Oak - very durable, has a fine-grained structure and high extractive qualities. Barrels filled with alcohol and
They drink cognac from special cognac glasses. First, in about 20 minutes a glass of cognac is warmed by hands to enjoy the aroma of the drink.
Cognac is biting with chocolate. Some gourmets say that cognac is combined only with chocolate, cigars and coffee. In the post-Soviet society there is a widespread opinion that cognac is properly bitten with a slice of lemon. This is not entirely true, because this citrus has a very specific sharp taste, which will surely be killed by an exquisite bouquet of cognac.