{"id":1088,"date":"2020-10-05T10:53:45","date_gmt":"2020-10-05T08:53:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/?page_id=1088"},"modified":"2020-11-21T11:41:37","modified_gmt":"2020-11-21T10:41:37","slug":"cognac-all-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/en\/cognac-all-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Cognac: All you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#e4680f;font-size:25px\"><strong> Three Quick Facts About Cognac<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-list\"><li style=\"font-size:17px\" class=\"translation-block\">Cognac is a French brandy made by distilling wine into a colorless liquid called eau-de-vie (literally \u201cwater of life\u201d), which is then aged in oak casks.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-list\"><li style=\"font-size:17px\" class=\"translation-block\">The production of Cognac is overseen by the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-list\"><li style=\"font-size:17px\"> French people drink surprisingly little Cognac. Nearly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thespiritsbusiness.com\/2019\/01\/cognac-exports-hit-new-heights-in-2018\/#:~:text=According%20to%20data%20from%20trade,all%20Cognac%20made%20is%20exported.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"color:#e4680f\">98% of all production<\/a> gets exported, with the US being the main market.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Inhaltsverzeichnis<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69eca98f56161\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #e4680f;color:#e4680f\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #e4680f;color:#e4680f\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseprofile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69eca98f56161\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/en\/cognac-all-you-need-to-know\/#Die_Heimat_des_Cognac\" >The Home of Cognac<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/en\/cognac-all-you-need-to-know\/#Wie_Salz_und_Wein_zu_Brandy_wurden\" >How Salt and Wine Became Brandy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/en\/cognac-all-you-need-to-know\/#Terroir_ist_Konig\" >Terroir is King<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/en\/cognac-all-you-need-to-know\/#Sonne_Kreide_und_Meeresfossilien\" >Sun, Chalk, and Sea Fossils<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/en\/cognac-all-you-need-to-know\/#Cognac-Destillation_Vom_schlechten_Wein_zur_guten_Spirituose\" >Cognac Distillation: From Bad Wine To Good Spirit<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/en\/cognac-all-you-need-to-know\/#Wie_man_die_Cognac-Etiketten_liest\" >How to Read the Cognac Labels<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/en\/cognac-all-you-need-to-know\/#Ein_4-Schritte-Leitfaden_zum_richtigen_Cognac-Trinken\" >A 4-step Guide To Drinking Cognac the Right Way<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"has-text-color wp-block-heading\" style=\"color:#e4680f\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Die_Heimat_des_Cognac\"><\/span><strong> The Home of Cognac<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> The municipality of Cognac stretches over two departments \u2013 Charente and Charente-Maritime. At the center, on the banks of the Charente River, lies its capital \u2013 the city of Cognac. It\u2019s this river port that the famous French brandy is named after.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> The Origine Control\u00e9e Cognac (AOC) appellation is the second-largest in France, with its 790 square kilometers of vineyards. Rows of vines cover coastal plains and gently sloping hills as far as the eye can see. The landscape is dotted with distilleries, estate buildings and small villages, many of which are several centuries old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"has-text-color wp-block-heading\" style=\"color:#e4680f\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wie_Salz_und_Wein_zu_Brandy_wurden\"><\/span><strong> How Salt and Wine Became Brandy<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"240\" height=\"297\" src=\"https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/steemit-cognac.jpg\" alt=\" Cognac wird im Mittelalter exportiert.\" class=\"wp-image-1124\" title=\"Barrels of Cognac getting exported during the Middle Ages.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/steemit-cognac.jpg 240w, https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/steemit-cognac-58x72.jpg 58w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/><figcaption> Source: www.steemit.com<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> Back in the 12th century, Cognac was a busy port. Its main export was salt \u2013 an essential and sought-after commodity used to preserve food during the medieval period. It was the abundance of salt that first attracted Dutch and British merchants to the south-west coast of France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> Perhaps inevitably, these international traders also began to fill their boats with local wine. The problem was that, by the time it reached its destination, the wine was already spoiled. To prevent this, people started distilling it. A side benefit of boiling down wine into eau-de-vie was that the weight of the new spirit\u2014and the tax duties around it\u2014decreased. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> With time, merchants found out that a second distillation made for an even more elegant eau-de-vie, and this is how Cognac was born. The first mention of the word \u201cCognac\u201d in the meaning of brandy was found in a sales contract from 1617.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> What started merely as practicality eventually put France on the world spirits map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"has-text-color wp-block-heading\" style=\"color:#e4680f\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Terroir_ist_Konig\"><\/span><strong> Terroir is King <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> The more you start to learn about French brandy (and wine, for that matter), the more you\u2019ll be hearing the word terroir. Behind it is the idea that every wine gets its specific character long before harvesting. This is because each vineyard grows in a unique environment shaped by both nature and man. Factors such as the exact composition of the soil and the angle at which the vines face the sun vary from location to location. These, and many other details, ultimately determine the aroma qualities of the grapes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"has-text-color wp-block-heading\" style=\"color:#e4680f\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sonne_Kreide_und_Meeresfossilien\"><\/span><strong> Sun, Chalk, and Sea Fossils <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> This part of France stretches across the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Aquitaine_Basin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"color:#e4680f\"> Aquitaine basin <\/a> \u2013 an area that, back when dinosaurs still roamed the earth, was part of the ancient seas. Over the course of 200 million years, the shells of tiny sea creatures formed layers of chalk on the bottom. Once the water retreated, it left behind what is today an extremely porous, crumbly, and chalky soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-text-color wp-block-heading\" style=\"color:#e4680f\"><strong> The chalkier - the better <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> It's safe to say that without chalk in the soil, French brandy wouldn't exist. The reasons are quite simple:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-list\"><li style=\"font-size:17px\"> Grapes grown in chalk are highly acidic, and so is the wine made from them. The high acidity helps preserve the wine until it's time for distillation since the use of Sulfur Dioxide isn\u2019t allowed.<\/li><li style=\"font-size:17px\"> This type of soil acts like a sponge. It soaks up underground water so vineyards can survive during periods of drought.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> Chalk isn't distributed evenly throughout the region. As you will see below, this creates a great variety of grape flavors which, in turn, impacts the final product. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-text-color wp-block-heading\" style=\"color:#e4680f\"><strong> Location, location, location <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph translation-block\" style=\"font-size:17px\">Back in the mid-19th century, a local geologist\u2014Henri Coquand\u2014studied in detail the soil in the region. His findings showed six types of soil with varying levels of chalk, limestone, and clay. This is what determined the borders between the six vineyard growth regions in Cognac, also known as <em>Crus<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"724\" src=\"https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/map_cognac_grande_champagne_petite_champagne-1024x724.jpg\" alt=\"A map of the six Cognac crus.\" class=\"wp-image-1110\" title=\" Eine Karte der sechs Cognac-Crus.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/map_cognac_grande_champagne_petite_champagne-1024x724.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/map_cognac_grande_champagne_petite_champagne-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/map_cognac_grande_champagne_petite_champagne-768x543.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/map_cognac_grande_champagne_petite_champagne-1536x1086.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/map_cognac_grande_champagne_petite_champagne-555x392.jpg 555w, https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/map_cognac_grande_champagne_petite_champagne.jpg 1843w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> In the table below you can see how the six crus vary in terms of size and soil, and how each specific soil type makes for a unique eau-de-vie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\"><strong>Cru<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\"><strong>Sq\/km<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\"><strong>Soil type<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\"><strong>Eau-de-vie<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">Grande Champagne, <br>a.k.a. Premiere <br>Cru de Cognac<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">140<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">Rich in chalk\nand very porous<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">Famous for its floral aromas and finesse <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">Petite Champagne<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">153<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">Chalky but a bit more compact <\/td>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">Very floral, fruity<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">Fins Bois<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">312<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">Heavy, a mix of clay and chalk<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">Smooth with a floral bouquet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">Bons Bois<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">93<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">Clay, chalk, and sand<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">Fruity aromas <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">Borderies<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">40<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color translation-block\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">A mix of chalk and clay dating back to the Jurassic era<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">Nutty and toffee qualities<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">Bois Ordinaries<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">10<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">Mostly sandy<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size: 17px;\">With hints of the ocean<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-text-color wp-block-heading\" style=\"color:#e4680f\"><strong> The climate in Cognac <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> Grapes are a fragile fruit. In order for them to mature without getting burnt, they need just the right amount of sun. The south-west of France undoubtedly offers excellent conditions for this delicate balance to happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> Sadly, climate change has started to cause disruption in the production rhythm. As summers are getting hotter and dryer, grapes are ripening faster than usual and getting too sweet for distillation. Many producers have therefore been pushing forward the harvesting season from October to September. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"has-text-color wp-block-heading\" style=\"color:#e4680f\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cognac-Destillation_Vom_schlechten_Wein_zur_guten_Spirituose\"><\/span><strong> Cognac Distillation: From Bad Wine To Good Spirit <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> Cognac is the product of a double-distilled, highly acidic wine made of at least 90% Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, and Colombard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> Distillation takes place in traditionally shaped copper stills called Charentais Alembic, or simply alembic. Once heated in the pot, wine turns into vapors with high alcohol concentration. These vapors rise until they reach a narrow tube, also known as a swan neck, which leads them to a condenser. The reaction between the hot vapors and the cold water in the condenser is what creates the first distillate. This process is then repeated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> At the end of the second distillation, the eau-de-vie gets separated. The first part is the heads (78% to 82% alc\/vol), the second one the hearts (60 to 78% alc\/vol), and finally come the tails (60% alc\/vol and below). The heads and tails are either discarded or distilled again, while the hearts end up in oak casks for maturation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> Below is a video provided by the BNIC that gives us a clear idea of the distillation process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Charentaise Distillation - Distillation in two times\" width=\"980\" height=\"551\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZwxzwOe2k2I?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe> \n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> Cognac distillation has followed the same process for centuries except for one small but important change \u2013 the heat source used to bring wine to the boil is no longer wood, but gas. This helps the distiller to control the temperature more easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"has-text-color wp-block-heading\" style=\"color:#e4680f\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wie_man_die_Cognac-Etiketten_liest\"><\/span><strong> How to Read the Cognac Labels <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph translation-block\" style=\"font-size:17px\">Cognac labels can be confusing. The random combinations of letters aren\u2019t exactly self-explanatory, and words like <em>deluxe<\/em> and <em>superior<\/em> can leave you scratching your head. Below is your cheat sheet for reading cognac labels like a pro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-list\"><li style=\"font-size:17px\">Fine \u2013 Cognac that contains a blend of Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne eau-de-vie, with at least 50% coming from Grande Champagne<br><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-list\"><li style=\"font-size:17px\">Vintage \u2013 Cognac made of eau-de-vie coming from a single year, harvest, and estate. In other words, the opposite of a blend<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-list\"><li style=\"font-size:17px\">VS \u2013 Very special; Cognac that is at least two years old. Also known as a 3-star cognac, Deluxe or Mill\u00e9sime<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-list\"><li style=\"font-size:17px\">Superior \u2013 The eau-de-vie for this Cognac has been aged for at least 3 years in an oak cask<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-list\"><li style=\"font-size:17px\">VSOP \u2013 Very Special Old Pale; Cognac that has aged at least 4 years. Also called Rare or R\u00e9serve&nbsp; <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-list\"><li style=\"font-size:17px\">Napol\u00e9on \u2013 Cognac that has aged at least 6 years, also known as Very Rare or Supr\u00eame<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-list\"><li style=\"font-size:17px\">XO \u2013 Extra Old; Cognac that is at least 10 years old<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-list\"><li style=\"font-size:17px\">XXO \u2013 Extra Extra Old; Cognac that has been aged for at least 14 years<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-list\"><li style=\"font-size:17px\">Hors d\u2019 Age \u2013 Beyond Age; Cognacs with an average age of 30 years and above.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"has-text-color wp-block-heading\" style=\"color:#e4680f\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ein_4-Schritte-Leitfaden_zum_richtigen_Cognac-Trinken\"><\/span><strong> A 4-step Guide To Drinking Cognac the Right Way <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph translation-block\" style=\"font-size:17px\">There are many ways to enjoy Cognac and our goal isn't to convince you that one is better than the other. However, this being a connoisseurs' territory, we're all about <em>neat<\/em>. If mixing is your thing, you can jump straight to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thespruceeats.com\/impressive-cognac-cocktails-4178096\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"color:#e4680f\">this list<\/a> of timeless Cognac cocktail recipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Setting the scene <\/strong><br><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"><em>\"We like the good things in life.\"<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> This is a sentence you\u2019ll hear over and over again if you decide to visit the city of Cognac and its surroundings. Choosing quality over quantity is part of the life philosophy in this corner of the world. No wonder, then, that Cognac has come to be associated with luxury and decadence. If you're about to pour yourself a glass of this iconic spirit, a good dose of Bon vivant-attitude is where you should start. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> Cognac is the product of true craftsmanship and there isn't a single drop in the bottle that is there by accident. Make sure you take the time to appreciate this fact. Stop everything else that you're doing, put on your nicest clothes, and, most importantly, do it in a pleasant company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Pairing cognac with food <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> Try to push aside the leather-chair-and-cigar image you may have in your head. Cognac is more versatile than that. It pairs surprisingly well\u2014and quite easily\u2014with food. One simple rule of thumb is to serve young Cognacs with light food and older ones with more intense flavors. Chocolate, cheese, charcuterie, and seafood are among your many options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> A younger VS Cognac with its light, fruity flavor pairs well with creamy cheeses like Camembert, Brie, and Roqeuefort. Even a slice of cheesecake would be an option. A well-aged brandy, such as VSOP or XO, typically has a spicier, more robust flavor. It does a great job accompanying rich and fatty food such as cured meats, saut\u00e9ed wild mushrooms, or medium rare beef.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Picking the glassware<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\">When it comes to choosing a Cognac glass, the two most common alternatives are the snifter and the tulip glass. There have been some disputes as to which one is better, but for us the tulip glass, which is similar to the <a style=\"color:#e4680f\" href=\"https:\/\/www.glencairnwhiskyglass.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Glencairn whisky glass<\/a>, is the clear winner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> The tulip glass, just like the flower it's named after, flares out slightly at the top. This allows the aromas to open up and spread more gradually, so you can recognize each of the different floral, fruity, or nutty notes. In contrast, the snifter concentrates the nose and the rich variety of nuances gets replaced with a strong smell of alcohol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/embed\/xT0BKIRMy9i07uWZsk\" class=\"giphy-embed\" allowfullscreen=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"259\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><p><a href=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/gifs\/drinks-booze-joanne-woodward-xT0BKIRMy9i07uWZsk\">via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. It's time for the first sip <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\"> The first thing you want to do is let your Cognac breathe for a bit. The older the Cognac, the more time it needs to \"open up\". Some even follow the formula of 30 seconds for each year of the Cognac's age. If you hold the glass in your palm while waiting, it will intensify the aromas even more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\">Next, gently swirl the glass and bring it close to your nose. As you breathe in, try to notice floral or fruity aromas. If you're holding an older Cognac in your hand, you may even sense a hint of jam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/cognac-aroma-wheel-edited.jpg\" alt=\"The Cognac aroma wheel\" class=\"wp-image-1138\" width=\"540\" height=\"659\" title=\" Das Cognac-Aromarad \" srcset=\"https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/cognac-aroma-wheel-edited.jpg 541w, https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/cognac-aroma-wheel-edited-246x300.jpg 246w, https:\/\/thewhiskykingdom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/cognac-aroma-wheel-edited-58x72.jpg 58w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><figcaption> This aroma wheel is a good starting point for beginners looking for the right words.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\">Remember, Cognac is meant to be savored, not gulped down. Take a small sip and let the liquid stay on your tongue for a few seconds. Can you taste the same notes that you just smelled? Do you detect sweetness, saltiness, or even some acidity? It's all of these elements that make each Cognac a unique experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\">Sant\u00e9!<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Drei kurze Fakten \u00fcber Cognac Cognac ist ein franz\u00f6sischer Weinbrand, der durch Destillieren von Wein zu einer farblosen Fl\u00fcssigkeit namens eau-de-vie (w\u00f6rtlich &#8222;Wasser des Lebens&#8220;) hergestellt wird, die dann in Eichenf\u00e4ssern reift. Die Herstellung von Cognac ist streng reguliert und wird vom Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) beaufsichtigt. Die Franzosen trinken erstaunlich wenig Cognac. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1578,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1088","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Cognac: Alles was sie wissen sollten - The Whisky Kingdom<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Cognac ist ohne Zweifel der ber\u00fchmteste Weinbrand der Welt. 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