Cognac

This article is about the brandy. For the town, see Cognac, France.

Cognac
Cognac in a typical snifter
TypeBrandy
Country of origin France
Region of originNouvelle-Aquitaine
Alcohol by volume 40%
FlavourVaries, though typically with characteristics combining nuts, fruit, caramel, honey, vanilla or other spices[1]
Related productsArmagnac
Websitecognac.fr/en

Cognac (/ˈkɒn.jæk/ KON-yak, also US: /ˈkoʊn-, ˈkɔːn-/ ⓘ KOHN-, KAWN-,[2][3][4] French: [kɔɲak] ⓘ) is a variety of brandy named after the commune of Cognac, France. It is produced in the surrounding departments of Charente and Charente-Maritime, in an officially designated wine-growing region.[5] This region is divided into six districts with different cognacs produced in each.[6]

Cognac production falls under French appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) designation, with production methods and naming required to meet certain legal requirements. Among the specified grapes, Ugni blanc, known locally as Saint-Émilion, is most widely used.[7] The brandy must be twice distilled in copper pot stills and aged at least two years in French oak barrels from Limousin or Tronçais, Allier or Nevers – the majority coming from the first two.[6] Cognac matures in the same way as whiskies and wines barrel-age, and most cognacs spend considerably longer "on the wood" than the minimum legal requirement.

Cognac is often drunk in glasses such as the snifter, which has a large tapered bowl and short stem. Such glasses allow the drinker to enjoy the aroma of the drink by placing their hand underneath the bowl and warming the cognac inside, causing it to produce more fumes.[8][9]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference sfgate2006 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "cognac". The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (5th ed.). HarperCollins. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  3. ^ "Cognac". Collins English Dictionary. HarperCollins. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  4. ^ "cognac". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  5. ^ Bill Owens; Alan Dikty; Andrew Faulkner (2019). The Art of Distilling, Revised and Expanded: An Enthusiast's Guide to the Artisan Distilling of Whiskey, Vodka, Gin and other Potent Potables. Quarry Books. p. 106. ISBN 978-1-63159-554-7.
  6. ^ a b Alan J. Buglass (2011). Handbook of Alcoholic Beverages: Technical, Analytical and Nutritional Aspects. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 586–587. ISBN 978-0-470-97665-4.
  7. ^ Bespaloff, Alexis (14 March 1977). "The Noblest Brandy of them All". New York. p. 79.
  8. ^ Michael P. Foley (2015). Drinking with the Saints: The Sinner's Guide to a Holy Happy Hour. Simon and Schuster. p. 500. ISBN 978-1-62157-383-8.
  9. ^ "Lagrange Cognac enjoyed". New York Magazine. 7 (12). New York Media: 34. 25 March 1974. ISSN 0028-7369.
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