What is Cognac?
All alcoholic drinks, rightly used, are good for body and soul alike, but as a restorative of both there is nothing like brandy.
George Saintsbury
You must be wondering why I commenced this discussion on cognac with a quote on brandy. Well, there is a reason and a good one; just bear with me for a little while and you'll find out. Now, returning to cognac, it is an alcoholic drink that is distilled from very specific grape varieties that grow in a particular region in France. This favorite poison of many derives its name from the French town of Cognac whose surrounding regions are hosts to the vineyards where grapes used in making cognac are grown. There are very strict legislations regarding the production and marketing of Cognac. Only wine distilled from certain specific grapes that grow in the officially demarcated area surrounding the town of Cognac can be called by this name. Similarly, wine manufactured using the same methods, distilled from similar grapes that grow in any other region of the world cannot be called cognac. Let's get to the details of what cognac is in the succeeding paragraphs.
What is Cognac Made From?
Cognac, ranking high among a list of alcoholic drinks that's made from grapes, is made from a blend of very specific varieties of grapes such as Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanc and Colombard. Folignan, Blanc Ram and Jurancon blanc grape varieties can also be used but it is legally mandatory that the blend of the former and latter grape varieties should contain at least 90% of the former for the beverage to be recognized as cognac. The districts that are legally and officially recognized as producers of cognac include Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Bon Bois, Fins Bois, Borderies and Bois Ordinaire.
The extremely dry and sharply acidic taste of the cognac producing grapes make for great aging and easy distillation. The juice extracted after pressing the grapes is allowed to ferment for a couple of weeks. The fermentation process is carried on by wild yeast and no additional sulfur or sugar is added to this fermented liquid. After it has fermented completely, the liquor is distilled twice in copper stills whose dimensions are prescribed by regulatory legislations. On completion of the distillation, the resulting spirit is then packed into oak barrels and left to age for at least two years before marketing.
What Color is Cognac?
The color of the final drink can range anywhere between golden amber to a dark, caramel brown. The discrepancy in color arises from the difference of wood used for making the barrels in which the spirit is aged. Darker wood imparts deeper color and vice versa.
Is Cognac the Same as Brandy?
Absolutely. Going back to the doubt that I stirred in your minds by beginning this article on cognac with a quote on brandy, Cognac is a variety of brandy that is made from a set of specific grape varieties and manufactured in the geographic area and wine-producing region that surrounds the French town, Cognac, and which falls within the jurisdiction of the Departments of Charente and the Charente-Maritime which function under the government of France. The methods used for the fermentation, distillation and aging process are the same as brandy. The alcohol content of the final spirit (between 35%-60%) is also more or less the same for cognac and regular brandy.
Best Cognac Brands
The following list enumerates some of the best cognac brands available. These cognac brands are worth stocking up on if you're one of those people who like indulging in long, after-dinner activities like reading, conversing or watching movies on chilly winter nights.
- Cognac Xo
- Kelt Cognac Vsop
- Martell Cognac Vsop
- VS Cognac
- A. Hardy Cognac Xo
- Gabriel & Andreu Cognac Fins Bois
- Hine Cognac Antique
- Meukow Cognac
- Exclusif Cognac
- Martell Cognac V.s.
- Bache-Gabrielsen
- Rmy Martin
- Prince Hubert de Polignac
- Paul Giraud
- Courvoisier
- Braastad
- Lopold Raffin
I guess that pretty much answers what cognac is without delving much into the minute technical details of processing, manufacturing and legislation that goes behind that glass of distilled liquid fire that you just poured out. What could possibly be a better way to preserve the warmth of that hot roasted turkey you just dined on than a glass of liquid amber fire accompanied by a spirited (pun intended!) discussion on politics (or economics, or science....it doesn't matter as long as the conversation and the cognac keeps flowing)! On a parting note, I would like to quote Ambrose Bierce from his satirical work The Devil's dictionary as a tribute to brandy in general:
BRANDY, n. A cordial composed on one part thunder-and-lightning, one part remorse, two parts bloody murder, one part death-hell-and-the-grave and four parts clarified Satan.
