The best brands of cognac, according to leading experts and materials from the English magazine The Independent.

Such "pearls" of winemaking will not leave indifferent even the most inveterate teetotaler

1) RÉ MYMARTINCOEURDECOGNAC (PhotoNo. 1 see below). Amber gold, fruity aromas and unique softness - this is the classic Remy Martin Coeur de Cognac, one of the best premium offerings at an affordable price. Cognac is featured in the Harrods Christmas range for £45.

2) TRIJOLVSOP(photo number 2 see below). This cognac has a fine structure and delicate elegance, characteristic of all drinks from the Grand Champagne region. Rich and velvety flavor bouquet has well-pronounced fruit tones. You will certainly be very surprised by the pleasant and long aftertaste, which is not very typical for drinks of this category.

3) FRAPINCHATEAUFONTPINOTXO(photo number 3 see below). It is a cognac of noble amber color with gilded reflections, very soft and extremely balanced, with a rich incomparably delicate aroma of vanilla and caramel bouquet, with notes of exotic fruits, old port, lilies, lily of the valley, hawthorn and acacia, as well as wild mountain flowers.
Multifaceted, rich aroma of “XO. Chateau Fonpino" gently and imperceptibly captivates both real connoisseurs and those who have stepped on the path full of unexpected surprises to discover the secrets of the most exquisite drink in the world into its velvety captivity.

4)CognacTesseron53(photo number 4 see below). This cognac is designed to be savored, drunk in small sips, periodically inhaling its smells. Aroma: Plums and figs, red fruits, allspice and candied fruits are noticeable. Taste: Plums, chocolate, fresh herbs.

5) HBYHINE(PhotoNo. 5 see below). Cognac H by Hine is a blend of more than 15 Petite Champagne cognacs, the youngest of which has been aged in Limousin oak barrels for at least 4 years.

Cognac H by Hine has a bright amber color and a pleasant aroma with floral hints of jasmine, iris and carnation, which are complemented by vanilla notes. The taste is delicate and velvety.

This drink is the owner of the gold medal of the prestigious international competition International Spirits Challenge 2007.

6) FUNDADOR(photo number 6 see below). Perhaps the most famous Spanish brandy, which is popular both at home and abroad. This is indeed a very high-quality drink, which is produced by the respectable Domecq trading house.

7) COURVOISERVSOP(photo number 7 see below). Such cognacs are sometimes called Fin-Champagne, or simply champagne cognacs. In order for the drink to get its complex and unique taste, a lot of hard work had to be done. Cognac spirits were created from grapes, which then matured for a long time in oak barrels, gaining the very taste qualities that, combined in the assemblage of Courvoisier VSOP cognac, brought him well-deserved fame. The aging period of each of these cognac spirits is from 6 to 12 years. Skillful blending gave the drink a complex, balanced and harmonious taste, in which soft, but full of strength honey tones are especially strong, subtly accentuated by vanilla aroma, hints of hazelnuts and fresh, ripe fruits. Two waves of taste will first let you feel the refined aroma of vanilla, then fruit tones will come to the fore. The color of this excellent drink is amber, iridescent with nuances from dark mahogany to bright gold.

8) HENNESSYx.O(photo number 8 see below). In 1870, Maurice Hennessy creates for relatives and friends an assemblage of old cognac spirits from the stocks of the Hennessy house. blend Hennessy XO(Hennessy XO) consists of more than 100 cognac spirits obtained from the wines of the land of Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies and Fin Bois. Among them are spirits developed at the beginning of the 20th century, they give the exceptional quality and complexity of XO. The average exposure of cognac spirits included in the bouquet of Hennessy XO (Hennessy XO) is from 20 to 30 years. Cognac Hennessy XO (Hennessy XO) has a rich and stable taste, aroma of ripe fruits - pears, peaches, plums, as well as fragrant spices - vanilla and cinnamon, which gives the drink a unique taste.

9) RAGNAUD- SABOURINALLIANCENO. 10 VSOP(PhotoNo. 9 see below). Stunning French dark cognac with a pleasant aroma of vanilla and spicy aftertaste. The cost of one bottle is £49.50.

10) TASTETHEDIFFERENCECOGNACXO(PhotoNo. 10 see below). The surprisingly refined taste of this brandy makes you feel the difference between a good and a truly excellent drink. Based on fragrant fruits and has a delightful intoxicating aroma. The cost of one bottle is £19.98.

At the beginning of the article, it should be mentioned that only real French cognacs are subject to VSOP classification. Cognac itself is one of the representatives of grape brandy produced in the city of the same name, which is located in the Charente region.

The boundaries of the area producing this strong alcoholic drink are strictly regulated by law and have special regulations and requirements. Cognac is originally a French drink. So it was and always will be.

At the beginning of the last century, the National Interprofessional Cognac Bureau adopted the fundamental standard for cognac classification, where the main principle is the age of the drink.

Of course, VSOP cognac is not able to compete with its older brothers of the premium class, such as XO or Extra, and it does not need to be. It is bright and despite its youth, it is quite a mature drink. The color palette of cognac category VSOP has a pleasant, light amber color.

It is made from white grape varieties grown in the great terroirs of Grand Champagne, Petit Champagne, Fain Bois and Borderies. Each of which gives the grapes its own taste, including a bright taste and minerality. Ugni Blanc is recognized as the most ideal grape for the production of VSOP cognac.

The abbreviation VSOP in English is read as Very Superior Old Pale, and its literal translation means "Very Superior Old Pale". If we compare with Russian or Armenian cognacs, which are more familiar to Russians, then the Very Superior Old Pale category could be compared with 5-star options. For your information, the correct reading of the abbreviation VSOP is ve-es-ow-pi.

I bet that each of you, dear readers, at least once in your life dreamed of being transported into the past for a while. Someone - with the hope of correcting the mistakes made earlier, the other - to return back the once spoken words, and the third - just to plunge into the atmosphere of the past, to feel the mysterious nature of antiquity. I hasten to please you that today it is quite possible. You don't even need a time machine, because cognac will help.

French cognac aging

Undoubtedly, cognac is a drink that keeps secrets and mysteries, it has passed through time to appear before us in all its splendor. And well-aged cognac is an intermediary between the past and the present, because sometimes this alcoholic drink has a huge number of years “behind”, for example, cognac 10 years of aging, cognac 15 years of aging, cognac 20 years of aging, cognac 25 years of aging, cognac aging 30 years old, cognac 40 years old or even cognac 50 years old. Indeed, the aging periods of cognac are different, thanks to them the drink acquires an individual character, specific features. Cognac aging is classified according to generally accepted strict rules established by the National Interprofessional Cognac Bureau. Cognac aging is information available to any buyer, since information can be read without problems on each label. The aging period for cognac begins to count from April 1 from one in the morning, that is, after the official cessation of the distillation of wine of this crop. If we talk about the traditional French drink, then according to state law, the minimum aging of cognac must be at least 2 years in an oak barrel. Otherwise, the manufacturer does not have the right to supply its alcoholic product for sale. Well, we will start with a two-year-old cognac. In order to eliminate the possibility of confusion, I will clarify that all the designations below are not the names or brands of cognacs, but characterize the drink in the aging classification. In addition, it is worth remembering that all the cognac aging periods indicated in the classification indicate the age of the youngest spirit included in the blend. If you found the designation cognac VS aging on the label, then you have a two-year-old cognac. Cognac VS extract stands for Very Special. In addition to the inscription cognac VS aging, you can find such words as Selection, de Luxe, Trois Etoiles. The "two-year-old" drink is followed by Superior cognac, which is at least 3 years old. The designation of cognac aging for at least 4 years is, as a rule, the words “VSOP cognac aging”, which stands for Very Superior Old Pale. A four-year-old brandy can also be denoted by the letters VO (Very Old), which translates into “great and mighty” language as “very old”, or Vieux and Reserve. The aging of VSOP cognac speaks of the exclusivity of the alcoholic product and its high status. But this, of course, is not the limit! A drink that has been left in an oak barrel for as long as 5 years is called "very very old" or VVSOP (Very Very Superior Old Pale), as well as Grande Reserve. The five-year-old cognac is followed by the aging of XO cognac, that is, Extra Old - “super old”. Excerpt cognac XO is not less than 6 years in oak barrels. Also, French producers can mark the aging period of XO cognac on the bottle with the words Extra, Royal, Napoleon, Vieille Reserve and Tres Vieux. The above list displays the most common categorical designations for French cognacs, however, there are many more of them in the legislation. As for cognacs older than 6.5 years, the classification of aging of such cognac is prohibited by the Interprofessional Bureau, which believes that it is impossible to control the processes associated with blending for more than 6.5 years. Therefore, 10-year-old cognac, 15-year-old cognac, 20-year-old cognac, 25-year-old cognac, 30-year-old cognac, 40-year-old cognac, 50-year-old cognac, etc. do not have labels. Instead, manufacturers indicate their own names on the bottle, for example: Remi Martin Louis XIII, Hine Family Reserve, Camus Jubilee, etc. As a rule, these are elite spirits, the pride of famous French cognac houses. Let me add a couple more words about millesim (or vintage) on the label. In this case, we are talking about unblended drinks, for the creation of which grapes of the same harvest year were used. Moreover, the meticulous French classify even the years of the harvest. So, there is a bad harvest year, a good one, a very good one, etc.

Aging of "star" cognacs

Another classification of non-French cognac aging suggests the existence of such drinks as ordinary cognac, vintage cognac and collection cognac. This classification of cognac aging is accepted in Russia and the countries of the former Soviet Union (Armenia, Georgia, etc.). As in the homeland of cognac, in France, the maturation of these cognacs takes place exclusively in oak barrels. High-quality ordinary cognac from the above-mentioned countries is prepared from spirits with an aging period of at least 3 years. Several groups are distinguished here, designating each of them with asterisks, for example "***" or "*****", the number of which corresponds to the age of the drink. Firstly, this is a 3-star cognac. Cognac 3 stars is an alcoholic drink consisting of cognac spirits that are at least 3 years old. Secondly, cognac 4 stars or four years old. Cognac 4 stars "wound the term" in an oak barrel, respectively, for 4 years. Thirdly, a five-year-old brandy or a 5-star brandy that was “sentenced to imprisonment” in an oak barrel for a period of 5 years. Both Russian 5-star brandy and Armenian 5-star brandy are perhaps the most popular drinks in this category. And fourthly, brandy is distinguished with six stars on the label, corresponding to aging for 6 years. As you can see, ordinary cognac is classified very simply. Next, let's take a look at vintage cognac, the average age of which should be at least six years. The classification of vintage cognac aging implies the existence of three groups: aged cognac (KV) aged 6-7 years, aged cognac of the highest quality (KVVK) aged 8-10 years and old cognac (KS) is cognac aged 10 years or more. A feature of the most prestigious collection cognacs in Russia and the countries of the former Soviet Union is the additional aging of vintage cognacs in an oak barrel for at least three years, and sometimes more. For such elite drinks, the naming system for vintage cognacs is retained, but an additional period is implied. That is, the KS collection cognac must be aged for at least 13 years. Summing up, I will say that cognac aging is a rather scrupulous matter. And despite the stringent standards, products from different manufacturers are very different from each other. For example, VSOP cognac from one manufacturer may be radically different from another VSOP. Here, every connoisseur of alcohol needs to focus on their personal preferences and priorities. One of the gourmets said that in terms of communication with peers, cognac impressed him the most, and over the next few years it only gets better. Therefore, I wish you a pleasant “communication” with a glass of your favorite cognac! However, remember that cognac is a good conversationalist, but sometimes this close “communication” should also be limited!

According to the technology, the production of cognac itself is recognized by specialists all over the world as one of the most complex and most ordered. Cognac aging in oak barrels is the most important stage of this process. Both the richness of taste and the delicate aroma of the resulting product depend on it. Old cognacs are very expensive liquor. Their cost can exceed seven to eight thousand dollars per bottle. In France, for example, old cognacs are drinks aged 6.5 years or more. And the most expensive century-old cognac "Henry the Fourth Dudognon" was sold in 2009 for two million dollars, about which it was officially entered in the book of records. To match the drink - the design of the container. The bottle was decorated with diamonds and other precious stones and made of an alloy of platinum and gold (total weight - four kilograms).

Cognac aging

The great revolutionary significance of the process itself was discovered in the eighteenth century, during the war between France and England. Then the British fleet blocked the ports of the French. It became impossible to export cognac and other drinks. For quite a long time cognacs were poured into oak barrels for preservation. After the expiration of the term, wine merchants noticed that the drink itself became much tastier, its taste and aroma became brighter. It was then that winemakers began to specifically age cognac spirits of double distillation in special barrels, and then create a blend by mixing them together.

oak barrels

Old cognacs are aged exclusively in oak barrels. It is believed that high-quality drinks contain up to 500 different components. Not all trees can be used to make these barrels. The age of oaks suitable for these purposes is from 80 years and above. Traditionally (in France) they take oaks from the forests of Tronce and Limousin, medium and coarse-grained, with a high level of tannin. And the winemakers keep the oldest cognacs in barrels made of bicentennial oaks. The container itself is made without nails, it is carefully fired from the inside. The burnt surface is able to release glucose, which gives the future drink a subtle sweetish aftertaste.

The process itself

With double distillation, the wine is fresh with a strength of up to 70 degrees. It is colorless, sharp in taste, it has little aroma. But with prolonged aging in oak barrels, it acquires a golden color, softens, acquiring a taste and a specific aroma. Alcohol is poured into barrels not to the eyeballs, leaving a certain void. This is necessary in order to create conditions for the oxidation of the drink. The containers are clogged with tongues, waxed from the outside and installed in several tiers.

The first years of aging

There is a transition of tannins into alcohols from the material of the barrel. At the same time, alcohols acquire a vanilla flavor and over time, the drink will darken even more, acquire a softened taste with aromas of flowers and fruits, sometimes even with hints of spices.

cellar master

The chief specialist monitors the process and determines whether it is necessary to pour spirits into older barrels with characteristic “old” notes, whether to rearrange the barrels with cognac from the upper compartment of the cellar to the lower ones or vice versa (there is different humidity). So alcohols acquire structure and softness.

Fortress Weakening

Grape alcohol, placed in barrels, initially has a strength of up to 70 degrees. Then there is a natural process of its weakening. But it, as a rule, exceeds the prescribed 40-45. Then cognac is diluted with water (distilled). The resulting mixture is additionally aged in barrels for a month or more. After that, the cognac is ready and sent for blending. Then it is bottled.

Cognac gradation

Alcohol acquires the right to be called a skate after spending at least two years in an oak barrel under the right storage conditions. The maximum age of this drink, in principle, is not limited, but masters of winemaking tend to argue that it makes no sense to age it for more than 70 years in barrels in the cellar.

According to the international scale (French):

• two-year-old - V.S.;
• three-year - Superior;
• four year old - V.S.O.P. ;
• five-year-old - V.V.S.O.P.;
• six year old - X.O.

According to the European tradition, cognac over 6.5 years old is no longer subject to classification and is considered a collection product.

The years of aging of ordinary cognacs are indicated by asterisks, respectively: one year - one star, and so on. For more expensive vintage cognacs, the following, already alphabetic, designations are accepted. CV - six years or more. KVVK - eight or more years of exposure. KS - more than ten. Cognac 20 years old - OS. What do these letters mean? Everything is simple here. "K" - cognac. "VVK" - excerpt of high quality. "KS" - old cognac. OS is very old. Cognac aged 25 years and above is considered collectible. So, seeing the letters on the bottle, you can find out about his age. By tradition, the so-called “golden aging” cognac is considered optimal in terms of timing - 4 years. In Stavropol, they even called cognac made from Spanish cognac spirits and having a subtle sweetish aftertaste of honey and flowers.

Cognac

By the way, it will be mentioned that only French and from a certain province - Cognac is recognized as international law to be called cognac. Thus, when exporting, for example, this word should not be mentioned on the label. Another thing is for internal use, and then only in Russian. In Armenia, this issue was easier to solve: the French company "crushed" the production of the drink for itself, importing imported alcohol-blend. So the Armenian ones actually turned into Perrier brands. This gives the right to be called this proud name - Cognac at the international level.

French cognac brand "Hennesy"

One of the oldest and most famous cognac houses is Hennessy. The volume of production is more than fifty million bottles per year. The first place in the world to sell skates. Did the Irish officer Richard Hennessy think of such a success when he retired in 1745 and settled in the province of Cognac, where he began his own production of the drink? History is silent on this. It is only known that the courtiers of King Louis really liked his branded cognacs, and after decades, the whole of Europe already knew about the Hennessy brand.

Myths about centenary cognac

The whole problem is that cognac, according to experts, can live in an oak barrel for no more than 70 or 80 years. That is, the oldest drink, in theory, should only be of this aging. How to explain it?

Over time, cognac undergoes evaporation, lowering its degree. Masters of winemaking like to say that it is the angels who take their share of the drink of the gods. This process also has a critical point. And the strength of cognac, by the way, is regulated in France by law - at least forty degrees (with rare exceptions for some houses, also stipulated in the laws). So, the achievement of the minimum fortress comes after a maximum of 80 years. Having passed this point of no return, the drink can no longer be considered cognac according to the rules (that is, it is already less than forty degrees).

But what about the notorious centennial? The thing is that after aging in barrels, cognacs are poured into special glass containers of large volumes - bonbons, where they are stored, reaching such an advanced age. But this process has nothing to do with aging in barrels. In bonbons, the decrease in the degree of the drink is suspended, but also the process of its aging! Therefore, when talking about centenary cognac, they mean a drink of a younger age, but kept for the rest of the time in glassware, braided with straw.

Another option is to dilute a higher degree with young cognac to get the coveted forty. With this method, they take a really old drink and fortify it with a young one. As a result, buyers get really old blends mixed with newer ones. But at the same time, the manufacturer is prohibited from indicating a hundred-year age on the label.

Experienced sommeliers advise taking if you really want to try a really old 50 year old. If more, it will be impossible to compare the taste qualities of collection drinks even to an experienced taster. At the same time, do not forget to use the noblest drink according to the rules of etiquette: large rounded glasses with a short stem, small doses, the right snack. All this, combined with a successful table setting, will only emphasize the mysterious essence and sophistication of the old cognac. Chocolate and a cigar accompany the drink, as well as a leisurely conversation with good friends about something pleasant and sublime.

Only a drink produced in the Poitou-Charentes region of France is eligible. The technology of its production is strictly regulated by the National Interprofessional Cognac Bureau.

The taste, color and aroma of cognac depend on the grape variety, the area of ​​​​origin and the period of aging of spirits. All this information can be found on the drink label.

Label

First of all, the name of the drink must be indicated on the label of French cognac:

• Cognac (Cognac),
• Eau-de-vie de Cognac
• or Eau-de-vie des Charentes (real cognac).

In accordance with EU legislation, the container must be indicated on the bottle, as well as the legal name and address of the manufacturer, and the strength of the drink in% vol.

Of greatest interest on the label is information that allows you to classify the drink: an indication of the region of origin and the aging period.

Region of origin

The cognac production region is divided into 6 zones, called appellations:

• Grande Champagne
• Petite Champagne
• Borderies
• Fins Bois
• Bons bois
• Bois a Terroir or Bois Ordinaires

The unique climatic and soil features of each appellation give cognac spirits their own unique flavor and aroma.

Excerpt

Most often, cognac is obtained by mixing alcohols of different aging. The aging of the drink is determined by the aging time of the "youngest" of the spirits included in the blend.

Cognac age control is called "count", and starts with "00" and ends with "6". The countdown is from April 1, following the end of the distillation of the wine of the current harvest.

Since cognac production technology provides for its mandatory aging in oak barrels for at least two years, the first three counts are not taken into account as an age category.

2 years

The least aged cognac is labeled V.S. (Very Special) or Selection, de Luxe, Trois Etoiles, guaranteeing the aging period of spirits for at least 2 years.

3 years

The three-year-old cognac is called Superior.

4 years

Cognac aged for at least 4 years is marked V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale), V.O. (Very Old), Vieux or Reserve.

5 years

Five-year-old cognac must contain the inscription V.V.S.O.P. on the label. (Very Very Superior Old Pale) or Grande Reserve.

6 years

Marks X.O. (Extra Old), Extra, Napoleon, Royal, Tres Vieux, Vieille Reserve have cognacs, which include spirits aged for at least 6 years.

Official legislation prohibits the classification of cognac aged for more than 6.5 years, since every year changes in the taste of cognac spirit become less and less noticeable. For this reason, the actual age of cognac can be much greater than that indicated on the label.

vintage and millesime

Cognac aged 25-60 years is a matter of special pride for any cognac house. On the label of such an elite drink, instead of aging, your own name may be indicated, for example, Delamain Reserve de la Famile, Hine Family Reserve, Remi Martin Louis XIII.

For unblended cognacs made from grapes of the same crop, there is the name "vintage" or "millesim". At present, it is very rare to find such cognac, although until 1962 almost all cognac houses produced cognac of this class.

Harvest years of cognac have their own classification:

• very good: 1899, 1929, 1937, 1939, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1957, 1964
• good: 1878, 1887, 1893, 1896, 1898, 1924, 1928, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1967
• not very good: 1938, 1944, 1951, 1953, 1955, 1956
• bad: 1934, 1936, 1945, 1949, 1959, 1960, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1972

Classification of cognac in Russia

Despite the fact that only a drink produced in France can be called cognac on the international market, in Russia and the countries of the former USSR, brandy produced using cognac technology is called cognac.

Categories

It has its own classification and is divided into ordinary, vintage and collectible.

Ordinary cognac contains spirits aged from three to five years. The label of ordinary cognac is marked with asterisks:

• *** (3 stars) - cognac made from spirits aged for at least 3 years, light straw color with a characteristic aroma of young cognac and a pleasant, slightly extractive taste.
• **** (4 stars) - a drink with an age of cognac spirits of at least four years, light straw color.
• ***** (5 stars) - cognac, which contains spirits of five years of aging, has a pronounced extractive taste of a pleasant tone.

Vintage cognac is made from spirits aged for at least 6 years. It is divided into groups:

• KV (aged cognac) - the average age of spirits is 6-7 years, the fortress is 42%.
• KVVK (seasoned cognac of the highest quality) - the age of spirits is from 8 to 10 years, the fortress is 43-45%.
• KS and OS (cognac old and very old) - made from spirits with an exposure of 10 years, the fortress reaches 40-57%.

Vintage cognac, additionally aged in oak barrels for more than 5 years, is called collection. It is produced in limited quantities, often each bottle has its own unique number.

Region of origin

Like French, cognac originating from the countries of the former USSR differs in taste and aroma depending on the region where it was produced:

• Cognac from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Dagestan and Uzbekistan it has a strong aroma with vanilla tones and high extractivity.
• Georgian and Krasnodar cognacs lighter, fresher, with floral tones in the aroma.
• Ukrainian and Moldovan cognacs harmonious, have a delicate aroma of vanilla and a peculiar bouquet, they are less extractive than Armenian cognacs.

It is possible to judge the quality of cognac only on the basis of its class and type; it is wrong to compare cognacs of different categories.

Our catalog will help you navigate the variety of alcohol from France and neighboring countries. Any cognac you like can be bought in bulk at an attractive price.

At the beginning of the article, it should be mentioned that only real French cognacs are subject to VSOP classification. Cognac itself is one of the representatives of grape brandy produced in the city of the same name, which is located in the Charente region.

The boundaries of the area producing this strong alcoholic drink are strictly regulated by law and have special regulations and requirements. Cognac is originally a French drink. So it was and always will be.

No other drink in the world has the right to be called by this name. Unfortunately, such a law has not yet been adopted by the European Union, and the familiar word cognac can be seen on the labels of drinks that have nothing to do with cognac.

At the beginning of the last century, the National Interprofessional Cognac Bureau adopted the fundamental standard for cognac classification, where the main principle is the age of the drink.

The VSOP category is the world's best-selling cognac product group. The main factor of active sales is excellent quality at an affordable price. A pleasant fortress combined with vanilla notes and floral tones cannot leave anyone indifferent.

Of course, VSOP cognac is not able to compete with its older brothers of the premium class, such as XO or Extra, and it does not need to be. It is bright and despite its youth, it is quite a mature drink. The color palette of cognac category VSOP has a pleasant, light amber color.

It is made from white grape varieties grown in the great terroirs of Grand Champagne, Petit Champagne, Fain Bois and Borderies. Each of which gives the grapes its own taste, including a bright taste and minerality. Ugni Blanc is recognized as the most ideal grape for the production of VSOP cognac.

Cognac, with the letters VSOP on the label, always remains a welcome guest in every home, and it truly deserves it.

The abbreviation VSOP in English is read as Very Superior Old Pale, and its literal translation means "Very Superior Old Pale". If we compare with Russian or Armenian cognacs, which are more familiar to Russians, then the Very Superior Old Pale category could be compared with 5-star options. For your information, the correct reading of the abbreviation VSOP is ve-es-ow-pi.

Each person approaches the choice of alcoholic beverages in general and cognac in particular, taking into account their personal preferences. In addition to their own taste sensations, usually attention is paid to the manufacturer, brand and exposure.

Everyone is familiar with the stars that adorn the labels of domestically produced cognacs. However, the mysterious letters XO, VS, VSOP are indicated on foreign-made bottles. Deciphering these abbreviations causes difficulties for many not very sophisticated connoisseurs of an elite drink.

Let's clarify this issue.

french roots

To begin with, it should be noted that cognac is a product that is produced exclusively in France. All other drinks, according to international economic agreements, do not have the right to bear this name. Therefore, the decoding of VS, VSOP, XO and other abbreviations for alcoholic drinks in Armenia or Georgia is not required. All the necessary information, from the aging period to the place of spill, is indicated on the label and is absolutely clear to everyone.

By the way, the technology for the production of the considered varieties of alcoholic beverages is absolutely identical. Therefore, whether it is stars or VSOP, the decoding indicates one thing - how many years it has been aged in special barrels.

The only thing I would like to mention additionally is the careful and reverent attitude of the French to this national drink. They carefully monitor compliance with all quality standards, regardless of combinations of XO, VS, VSOP. Decoding is not required, you can just enjoy the unsurpassed taste.

Production technology

As you know, the basis of cognac is grape alcohol. However, it reaches the true taste and bouquet only after a certain aging time, which takes place in special oak barrels.

During this process, the original product undergoes a huge number of different transformations. Some substances that spoil the taste of the final drink evaporate from it. The organic material of the walls of the barrel gives the drink a taste appreciated by all.

These natural processes proceed at a very low speed. Because the process of creating a truly elite drink can take many years. The minimum period that is necessary for the alcohol poured into barrels to bear the proud name of cognac is at least one and a half years. Only after that does it acquire soft velvety notes with a light oak aroma and mahogany color.

My years are my wealth

Previously, each manufacturer created its own labeling system, which was indicated on cognac bottles. Therefore, it was very difficult to establish how many years this or that drink was aged in special ones.

Only after the creation of the National French Bureau, responsible for the production of cognac in this country, were the combinations XO, VSOP, VS invented, the decoding of which no longer causes difficulties for anyone and indicates the age of the drink.

Classification

Any specialist is able to distinguish by taste all the changes that occur in cognac alcohol at the very beginning of its maturation. Therefore, the combinations of VS or VSOP, the decoding of which is so interesting for inexperienced buyers, are not very important for him. The main purpose of these abbreviations is to distinguish drinks whose aging period approaches 10 years.

This is especially true for the control of the production process and the quality of finished products.

So, the following periods of exposure are distinguished:

XO - the aging period of cognac spirit in an oak barrel must exceed 6 years;

VVSOP - the process of making this drink is at least 5 years;

VSOP - the drink gets into the bottles after 4 years of aging;

VS - the minimum shelf life in an oak barrel is 2 years.

Conclusion

Finally, we note that the cognac aging time is calculated from the first of April of the year following the spill. Therefore, in most cases, the duration of the drink in barrels is somewhat longer than indicated on the label, which has a beneficial effect on its taste.

A more aristocratic and noble drink in the world than natural French cognac, most likely, will not be found. It is worthy even of the famous kings, its aroma and taste is able to arouse respect and affection in people from the first sip, reflects a deep inner world and allows you to feel like a part of high society. However, in addition to personal preferences in terms of taste and smell, a true connoisseur and subtle gourmet will definitely pay attention to labeling and aging, which is extremely important.

And already by the label, just by looking at it, the connoisseur will immediately determine, for example, what XO, VS, VSOP cognac and so on mean. Let's understand together, especially since everything is quite clear and transparent here.

Cognac classification

It will be extremely difficult for a person from the street, who was previously very superficially familiar with cognac, its production technology, as well as the peculiarities of use, to figure out from the start what is the age of this noble drink. That is, to understand how many years this liquid spent in an oak barrel before it hit the consumer's table. Only a few people in the world can calculate the approximate age by taste, color, smell and other indicators, and for the rest, labels have been invented, on which all the necessary information is indicated.

Cognac age

If you really want to become a connoisseur and gourmet, it does not hurt to first understand that the age, or rather, the aging of cognac is considered exactly until it is poured from the barrel into a glass container, most often into a bottle. At this moment, it instantly stops “aging” and no matter how many years pass, it will remain exactly the same as before. In fact, the purchase of cognac by an ignorant person is a bit like buying a lottery ticket, because you never know for sure whether you are lucky or not. It’s the same with cognac, because it seems like well-known names and brands flash in the manner of Remy Martin or Hennessy, and beautiful large marking letters VSOP, XO, and what all this Chinese letter means is not at all clear. On the other hand, there are more modest markings, such as KV, KS, OS and others, which also do not hurt to study.

French roots, technology and endurance

Cognac was originally invented by winemakers in France, after they learned to distill young grape wine of special varieties twice into the purest distillate and store it tightly corked in oak barrels for many years. It is in these barrels that the drink acquires its unique color, amazing aroma and stunning taste.
But the markings on the labels do not mean anything new or incomprehensible, but just mark its age. For example, VSOP cognac, what does such a label mean, what does it refer to and how to understand what kind of drink is in front of you? You need to start with the fact that brandy can come exclusively from France, this is enshrined in law, no other drinks can be called that way. There are some exceptions, for example, Armenian brandy, the quality control of which is carried out by a French company. All the same, such a drink has its own labeling and French standards are not allowed to be used here. Strictly ensure that the original markings XO, VSOP, VS are respected, a company called the French National Interprofessional Bureau of Cognacs is attached.

Age of cognacs on various scales

So how do you make the right choice and take exactly the bottle that is definitely of high quality, long exposure, and, consequently, a special smell and taste. First of all, you can judge and aging by the stars on the label, each of them hides exactly ten months spent by the drink in a corked oak barrel. It is remarkable that the beginning of cognac aging always begins at the same time, namely from one in the morning on the first of April of each year, when the raw materials must already be processed, and the grape distillate is cleaned and poured into aging tanks. Thus, there are no stars on the label may be less than three, since the minimum aging period for ordinary cognac is at least thirty months. However, in addition to the classification by aging, which we will discuss below, there are other designations that you can see on French bottles, so it doesn’t hurt to get acquainted with them in order to be fully prepared for surprises.

C (Cognac) - cognac.

E (Special) - special.
O (Old) - old.
V (Very) - very.
S (Superior) - excellent.
P (Pale) - pale.
X (Extra) - extra.

If you are going to become connoisseurs of French cognacs, it does not hurt to understand this in more detail, to find out, for example, what VS cognac means so as not to lose face at a dinner party or reception.

Authentic French markings

Without trying, one can only superficially judge the qualities of a particular drink. However, when it comes to real French cognac, then by what is written on the label it is already possible to conclude what properties and qualities are inherent in this version of alcohol, provided that it is original and not fake. It will not be difficult to figure it out at all, just wanting is enough, since everything here is limited to four or five letters.
The easiest answer is what VS means on cognac and it means that we are talking about a drink aged in an oak barrel for at least two and a half years. Also, such alcohol is called Trois Etoiles, that is, “three stars.” The second version of the VO labeling means Very Old or Reserve, which translates as very old. Such cognac is called three-year-old. Deciphering VSOP cognac - Very Superior Old Pale. This means that you have a very old cognac, aged for at least four years, but often much more. Because what VSOP means on cognac is not at all difficult to understand. One more question: what does VVSOP mean on cognac and how is it translated? There is nothing complicated here either, Very-Very Superior Old Pale or Grande Reserve means a very, very old cognac, high-quality and light, aged for at least five years. It remains to figure out what XO cognac means, but there will be no difficulties. Extra Old is a very old cognac, which has been aged for six years or more, which in itself inspires respect. Anything older, by the standards of professionals, cannot be classified, even if it stays in a barrel for twenty or thirty years. Experts believe that such a long time cannot guarantee blending. Therefore, it was decided to ban the labeling of cognac older than six years at the legislative level.
Many mistakenly believe that the words on the labels of French cognac, in the manner of Extra, Napoleon or Grand Reserve, are brands and names, but in reality it is not so. This is a labeling of a drink by aging and classification, but not a personal name or the name of a manufacturing company.

Cognac aging according to the Soviet scale

It is impossible to call domestic drinks fully natural, since cognac can be French and nothing else. However, in Soviet times, and even now, the creation of such drinks was popular, among which Armenian cognac was especially famous, the quality of which is really recognized by the most prominent winemakers in France.
Since there is a huge offer on the market, and the quality of the drink is really on top, it will not hurt to study the domestic classification of cognacs, which was invented and put into effect in Soviet times. She works to this day. Most often, alcohol is marked with stars, they go one per year, and three years is considered the minimum exposure. Ordinary cognacs from the times of the USSR can have from one to five stars. Vintage cognacs were considered more elite and expensive, the classification of which should be understood in more detail. For example, it is interesting to know what KV cognac means and what it testifies to, therefore it is worth studying everything from this place in sufficient detail.

KV - aged cognac - a drink that has been aging for at least six years.

KVVK - aged cognac of the highest quality - an alcoholic drink that has been aged for more than eight years.
KS - old cognac - this means that the drink has an age of about ten, or even more, years.
OS is a very old cognac, which has been aged in oak barrels in the cellars and cellars of Armenia for twenty years or more. These are the most elite varieties, the price of which sometimes overshadows the original French drinks.

Everything that is aged even longer already belongs to collection alcohol and it is unlikely that it is intended to just drink a bottle with friends, because it will cost a fortune, which means that an appropriate occasion is needed. Thus, even without tasting alcohol, you can already imagine how the contents of the bottle are different and whether it is worth paying the price indicated on the label for it.

Designations of various extracts of cognac

We do not know many strong alcoholic drinks equal to the world brand of French cognac. Cognac was born in a small French provincial town Cognac.

The most significant attribute of business lunches and festive feasts in Russia is always occupied by classic and elite alcohol - cognac. It was most often given and is given as a present together with a box of expensive Russian brands of chocolates.

Time flows, the generation changes, but cognac traditions are still are in trend. Our time cannot be compared with the Soviet past, where real French cognac was available to the ordinary consumer only as an attribute from a foreign feature film.

Modern super layouts, branded specialized boutiques and reputable online stores can offer you an assortment that can satisfy the needs of any consumer from $ 10 thousand more, but there are also quite inexpensive skates at more affordable prices.

The classification of cognac is influenced two main points:

• Age of cognac (its aging period);
• Region of origin.

Cognac age

The French method for evaluating cognac differs significantly from the Russian classification. So, according to the Russian assessment, cognac is recognized as vintage, if its aging period is more than six years, all the rest are classified as ordinary cognacs.

The French classification does not have specific age parameters, it practically happens that the master ages cognac in the wine cellar in oak barrels for more than the period stipulated by French law. Yes, this situation is not uncommon.

Each manufacturer has your personal details in the known technology of cognac production. So cognac of one particular category may differ from another cognac of the same category in terms of cognac spirits aging.

This is explained by the fact that the same category of French cognacs is represented by different cognac houses. The classification of cognac from the youngest final spirit to the most aged is as follows: VS, VSOP, XO, Extra, Hors d`Age.

Region of origin of cognac (French province)

If you turn to classical definition, then strong alcoholic beverages can have a classification (definition) of cognac, in the only case if they are produced in the small province of France Cognac, which has two hundred and sixty-eight small family cognac houses and five large global producers, which account for almost eighty percent of the cognac market .

All hotel (so-called cognacs) produced using cognac technology from similar grape material not from the province of Cognac (grape spirits), they are all classified as "brandy"

Cognacs (French cognac spirits) are special drinks, with a unique aroma of vanilla and floral notes. It is enough to try such cognac once to remember for a lifetime.

By the way, you will be interested to know that such a popular drink in the world as cognac, in France itself gave way to whiskey. And young cognac of the VS category can be added to cocktails and other drinks.

But if we talk about the VSOP category, then in this list you can already see skates with cognac spirits aged from twelve years (Gautier cognac), this brand contains flavors of more than eighty spirits, the most aged spirit is more than twenty-five years old.

The peculiarity of these spirits is in special cellars with high humidity, which gives the drink a special refined taste with hints of dry fruit and amber.

Another cognacs from VSOP are Meukow and Kazumian. in high demand connoisseurs of French drinks in Russia. The aging age of cognac spirits is about eight years. The aroma is very pleasant, with a masculine character (a subtle woody tint is combined with a chocolate taste).

So, the most popular French cognacs have category depending on exposure cognac spirits:

• VS - from two and a half years;
• VSOP - more than four years;
• VVSOP - more than five years;
• XO - over six years old, but this classification only in accordance with legislation France. In fact, almost all manufacturers exceed these deadlines.

You can buy cognac (your favorite brand with an XO on the label), but it can be aged for ten or twenty years. French law prohibits manufacturers from listing (classifying) cognacs over six years old.

In conclusion, you will interesting to know, what:

Napoleon is often confused with a brand of cognac. But this is also a classification of aging cognac spirits fifteen years or more.

Extra - these are already more aged cognac spirits thirty years or more. They are very expensive and buyers, as a rule, check the age of a particular batch directly with the manufacturer before buying.