All about Cognac/Brandy
EBS Masterclass
EBS Masterclass
-
- 1 / 13
-
Lernkarten
Where does the word "Brandy" comes from and what does it mean?
the word Brandy derives from the Dutch word "Brandewijn" meaning Burned Wine
what is "eau de vie"?
Water of life
when did the Alchemist created the water of life?
- in the 7th and 8th centuries
- distillation was the source of many experiments
when and where has the first Cognac been made?
- in 1549 the first brandy under the name Cognac is documented
- a merchant from La Rochelle produced four casks of "Good Cognac Brandy"
which Cognac houses do you know? when did they start making Cognac?
- Martell, Remy Martin, Delamain, Hennessy
- beginning of the 18th century
- today the "big four" (Remy Martin, Martell, Courvoisier, Hennessy) control 70% of the market
what plague had a negative effect on the Cognac market?
- in the late 19th century (1880s) the PHYLLOXERA plague raged through European vineyards wiping out 85% of vines in the Cognac region
- due to its resilience against pests Cognac producers now use UGNI BLANC wines
what is Brandy? (Production)
- Brandy and therefore Cognac is distilled wine
- wine/brandy can be made from many fruits, but the most are made from grapes (exclusively used for the production of Cognac)
Describe the Distillation of Cognac
Cognac is distilled twice using an Alambic Charentaise
Describe "Aging" Process
- for Cognac aging is top priority
- some Cognac houses dont even own any grapes or vines and simply buy eau de vie for aging
which casks are use for aging wine?
- only blond oak casks from the forests of LIMOSIN and TRONCAIS are used
- first a new cask called neuf --> rapid change, cause wood gives all its flavors
- switched to an older cask roux --> mature at a slower pace
role of Blenders
- a team of master blenders taste many Cognac to determine its future
- main decision: does Cognac benefits from further aging, needs to be changed in another cask or is ready
- decide the formula of a particular blend
- Louis XIII: blends with over 1200 Cognacs aged up to 200 years old (created in 1874 to mark Rémy Martin's 150th anniversary)
Classification of Cognac (region or age)
regions (the best are considered closest to the town of COGNAC)
- Grande Champagne
- Petite Champagne
- Borderies
- Fins Bois
- Bons Bois
- Bois à Terroir (Bois Ordinaires)
--> Cognac Carrying the Label "FINE CHAMPAGNE" shows that it has been made entirely from grapes grown in the Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne regions, with at least half coming from Grande Champagne
Age
- VS (very special): 2 years, minimum amount Cognac must be aged
- VSOP (very superior old pale): 4 years
- XO (extra old): 6 years
Cocktails and Brands
cocktails
- brandy crusta
- sidecar
- brandy alexander
- Jack Rose
brands
- Martell
- Hennessy
- Camus
- Hine
- Rémy Martin
- Renault
- Courvoisier
