|
print
COGNAC - THE BENCHMARKCognac is the most noble type of Brandy in the world, a benchmark by which most other Brandies are judged.The Cognac region is located on the west-central Atlantic coast of France, just north of Bordeaux , in the departments of Charente and Charente-Maritime.
The primary grapes used in making Cognac are Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, and Colombard. The wines made from these grapes are thin, tart, and low in alcohol; poor characteristics for table wines, but oddly enough, perfect for making Brandy Produced only in the Cognac region of France, the wine is distilled twice in traditional Charentais copper pot stills. The finished product is clear and adopts its beautiful amber color after many years in French oak barrels. Under strict French law, cognac production methods and growing areas are clearly defined. The districts in order of quality are: Grand Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois, Bois Ordinaires. The combination of the two finest districts
in Cognac produce the classification of "fine champagne".
The amount of time spent aging in barrels establishes the cognac's designation.
The single firm which produces exclusively fine champagne cognac is the
noble house of Rémy Martin. It is available in several distinct
styles (see below).
|
