Hey Friends, lets have a boozy reading!!
COGNAC ( BRANDY )
Cognac is named after the town of Cognac in France and is the most famous variety of brandy produced in the wine growing region surrounding the town from which it takes its name. The demarcated brandy regions in Europe are Cognac and Armagnac in France and Jerez in Spain and their 300 years old production remain unchanged
Cognac is made of Saint Emillion grapes, they are distilled twice in copper pot stills and are aged atleast for 2 years in French oak barells and are produced by " Water of Life " which means double distilling white wines from any growth areas.
It was first created to use up the grape waste of wine making and was considered a drink of the poor, the wine waste was dry acidic thin and not suitable for drinking but excellent for distillation and after distillation is complete, it must be aged for 2 years to be called " COGNAC".
The final product is diluted to 40% alcohol content and 80% with pure and distilled water, infact some add caramel to color the Cognac.
Each Cognac house has a master taster who is responsible for creating this delicate blend of spirits. The cognac produced by a company today will be similar to that of 50 years back. It is considered similar to a blended whisky or non vintage Champagne, which also rely on blending to achieve a consistent flavour.
Cheers
Jeni & Santo
