How to choose the best cognac in the store: selection rules, tips and tricks. Choosing the best cognac from inexpensive

Giving alcoholic beverages as a gift has become a good tradition in our time. High-quality and elite alcohol does not lead to drunkenness. It warms the soul, liberates the body and disposes to a good and friendly conversation. In this article we will talk about strong alcoholic drinks - about brandy and whiskey.

Undoubtedly, the presentation of such a gift deserves special attention and it is necessary to first familiarize yourself with the taste preferences of the person to whom the gift is intended.

Usually cognac or whiskey is given to men, after all, such drinks should be drunk slowly, delving into each sip, looking at the oily legs flowing down the walls of the glass. They are complemented by a fragrant Cuban or Dominican cigar. Modern emancipation has led to the fact that some women are also not averse to eating delicious and joining the amateur club. strong alcohol. Therefore, women can be given such gifts!

You can buy good cognac or whiskey as a gift in any chain hypermarket or wine boutique, or order it in an online store.

Attention: Quality and age dictate the price, and not vice versa, and this is the golden rule when buying alcohol as a gift.

An inexperienced beginner will need a kind of guide to the sea of cognac and whiskey. The advice of a professional sommelier will become such a navigator today. Well, friends, are you ready to go sailing? Today the weather is calm and no storms are expected.

Cognac theme. Attention, pitfalls are possible!

Do not rush to immediately go to the shelves and showcases, which contain imported products. Russian manufacturers they also know how to make high-quality cognacs, which they are not ashamed to present as a gift to the most respected person. In addition, domestic cognac emphasizes true patriotism and national priorities.

The leader in sales among all cognac factories in the Russian Federation are the factories of sunny Dagestan, namely Kizlyar and Derbent. Here I would like to make a small clarification: in Dagestan there are a lot of small enterprises that produce cognacs, since this is considered a matter of honor for a dzhigit and only the lazy do not produce cognac there. That is why it is quite possible to make a mistake and instead of Lezginka buy Lezginochka or something more or less visually close to her. In an effort to conquer the market, many manufacturers create labels for their products that mislead the consumer. This is an outright falsification.

Read the label carefully, and even more carefully read the back label. Look for reliable information.

In addition to the name, look at the quality of the label printing: it should be bright, even, shiny. A good label is glued with high quality and does not have adhesive smudges, roughness or folds. Be sure to check the closure of the goods: the shrink cap should not scroll, and there should be a cork under it.

Evaluate the product you have chosen visually. Factories with a century of history are very scrupulous to appearance their products, they will not allow any flaws. If anything is in doubt, then it is better to refrain from buying – do not buy such cognac for yourself, and even more so as a gift to the hero of the occasion.

Attention: active falsification is directed to the category of the best-selling goods of low and medium price categories. More valuable and aged, expensive and little-selling cognacs are not counterfeited, because it is unprofitable!

What the stars and letters tell

Many people know that domestic cognacs are marked on the labels with asterisks or letters. Three stars is the smallest cognac in terms of aging and it is completely inappropriate to present it. Five stars is a more mature product, but again, for a gift, it is a stretch. These are all ordinary cognacs, and they do not deserve special attention. Leave them for a friendly feast and move on to the next shelf.

Stop your attention on the cognac abbreviation KVVK, KS or OS. Such cognacs are called vintage and collection. It is they who will delight the donee with their full-bodied taste and aroma.

For information: aged, old cognacs are sure to come in a gift box, and cheaper ones - without it. Great cognacs are beautiful in form and content, so the bottle must be beautiful.

Decryption

KVVK- aged cognac, of the highest quality, it contains cognac spirits in its blend at least 8 years old.

KS- translates as old cognac. It is created from cognac spirits having aged in oak for 10 years or more.

OS- Cognac is very old. A real crown of creations of winemakers. To create it, the best spirits and the best oak are used. It is aged for 20 years or more.

One more piece of advice. Before you go shopping, go to the official websites of the factories. Check out the range on offer. Study the information about the product and its price, see how it looks visually.

Cognacs of Dagestan - the Caspian soul of Russia

1. Noble cognac "Russia"

The first contender for a hand and heart for a gift or present is the noble cognac "Russia" produced by FSUE. It has been aged in oak barrels for at least 15 years. and has a mild taste with pronounced tones of aging in oak. Taste balance is spicy, fruity. It is considered the official cognac of the Kremlin.

The average price is within 4,250 rubles per 0.7 liter.

2. Cognac "Peter the Great » is a tradition of the Russian

empires

He will become one of best gifts for a man who appreciates the traditions and richness of Russian history. Cognac "Peter the Great" has an aging of 25 years.

The aroma is complex, it can be found the smell of vanilla and leather. The taste is raisin and almond, and the aftertaste is long and elegant.

Price - from 5,000 rubles per 0.7 liters.

3. Cognac in souvenir porcelain from Kizlyar

The FSUE plant is perhaps one of the few that offers the market souvenirs in porcelain. Cognac KS Shtof "Eagle" has at least 15 years of aging and has the aroma of meadow herbs and tones of pine needles, combines the balance of spices and fruity aroma. Soft and harmonious in taste "Eagle" will be a wonderful gift. It is unlikely that you will be able to buy such a gift in a regular store - this rare product requires a pre-order.

Estimated for exclusivity from 6,000 rubles.

4. Cognac "Senator" - well-deserved respect

The second leader in the cognac market among domestic producers is undoubtedly the Derbent factory. For complete information on the label should be written JSC "Derbent Cognac Plant". As a gift from this manufacturer, you can offer cognac "Senator" in a crystal decanter, which is produced from cognac spirits oak aging over 10 years. The aroma is complex with hints of vanilla and chocolate. The taste is mild. The aftertaste is harmonious and rounded. The product was awarded gold medals. Produced in a gift box.

Price - from 6,100 rubles.

5. Cognac "President" - no comments

Cognac "President" with a 30-year exposure speaks for itself. A very old cognac in a crystal decanter. It has a full taste and buttery body. The blue silk of the gift wrapping is elegantly combined with the golden coat of arms of the Russian Empire.

Very expensive cognac! Estimated at 30,000 rubles.

For information to the buyer: if collection cognacs may seem too expensive and unaffordable, and ordinary ones are not suitable as a gift, then feel free to buy vintage cognacs. They are not very expensive, but the quality is excellent.

Armenian sun in a cognac glass

Following Russian cognacs, Armenian cognacs follow. But not all the gold that came down from Mount Ararat. Supermarket shelves are full of offers of cognacs from Armenian producers, and most often its cheap versions are presented in frosted bottles.

YBC (Yerevan Brandy Factory) has been and remains a classic of the genre, leading the history since 1887, which has not lost its age-old traditions to this day. Skipping the ordinary star cognacs, start your selection with 10-15 year old cognacs.

6. Cognac "Vaspurakan" - the legend of Armenia

A win-win solution as a gift can be Vaspurakan - this is a 15-year-old cognac,having its own individual character. This is a rather old cognac, it has a harmonious bouquet with woody notes that complement the aromas of spicy and coffee. The soft and delicate taste of "Vaspurakan" will undoubtedly appeal to even connoisseurs and gourmets.

Price - from 4,200 rubles.

7. Cognac "Noy" – song of the Caucasus

Literally across the road from YBC is the equally famous Yerevan Brandy-Wine-Vodka Factory, which produces the popular Noy cognac. It is represented on the alcohol market by a wide range of cognacs, among which any consumer can find an option suitable for the price and quality. An excellent gift is "Noah Classic" 20 years old in oak. The donee will feel in its taste notes of bitter chocolate, almonds and vanilla, as well as southern dried fruits. It is distinguished by velvety softness, purity of taste and a slightly tart aftertaste.

The price for 0.5 liters is from 4,200 rubles.

French cognac - on the crest of a wave

In a sea of cognac, France rules the roost. She has been the undisputed leader and progenitor of cognac production for many thousands of years. It is on its unique soils that the best white grapes varieties Ugni Blanc, which is able to give the world the magnificence of this drink. Cognac is born in the region of the same name, in the department of Charente. A drink of royalty and emperors, knights and midshipmen, it makes anyone who touches it fall in love with it from the first sip.

Interesting fact:

Cognac production in France is strictly regulated by the state. Even a small drop of a drink that goes against the legal regulations, technology or blend can significantly affect the name of a particular manufacturer, among which there is fierce competition and they value their reputation very much.

8. Cognacs of France - the best choice

Any cognac produced in the Cognac region (a French city in the Charente department) is a guaranteed quality product.

Let's name five great cognac houses, any of which can take first place:

Popular Hennessy,
Gorgeous Martel,
Aristocratic Otard,
Noble Courvoisier,
Harmonious Remy Martin.

All of them deserve attention and any of them is able to give true pleasure.

In fact, there are many more producers in the Charente region, and they all keep the blend recipe of their drink in strict confidence. Whatever French cognac you buy as a gift, know that in your hands is true gold with a long history, which is not ashamed to give to a respected person.

As is the case with the Russian and Armenian variants, the best examples of creation are French cognacs of the X.O. (Extra Old), Extra, Gold Reserv, Napoleon. Before appearing to the world in all its glory, they mature in the best oak barrels for an average of 20 years. That is why their taste is so grown-up, round, oily, rich, soft, not burning the taste buds. In old cognacs, the smell of alcohol is practically absent, they capture the aromas of heather honey and oak bark, in their taste - the sweetness of dried fruits and vanilla notes. An incredible number of epithets describe this drink: divine, elegant, refined, soft, round, full-bodied. Real cognac is a magical melody that you want to listen to endlessly!

Of course, such masterpieces cannot be cheap. Their market price is an average of 10 thousand rubles. Not every Russian has the opportunity to spend such an amount on a gift. In this case, you can consider the cognac category V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale) - the cost of a bottle of such a product will be half as much.

Interesting fact:

The shorter the exposure of cognac, the sharper and tougher the taste of the drink. Cognac is a living organism, it must mature, grow up and gain intelligence and strength in the process of aging and communicating with oak. It would be foolish to require a baby to solve the most difficult mathematical problems ... right?

Whiskey is a drink for the elite

Cognac as a gift is undeniably the most popular option, but many men (rarely women) prefer to drink whiskey. Whiskey is a strong alcoholic drink produced using a special technology from fermented grain must and malt. It can be different in quality, origin and preparation technology: it can be long-aged in an oak barrel and completely young, blended and single malt. living water- the second name that strong whiskey deservedly received. A healing and warming sip of quality whiskey can work wonders, revitalize and invigorate any body.

However, in order to understand which whiskey to choose for a gift, you need to at least a little understand the process of its manufacture. As unfortunate as it may sound, not everything that is whiskey is what is written on the label.

Whiskey is produced in Scotland, Ireland, Canada, America and Japan. They differ from each other in their taste and aroma.

The lowest stage of whiskey production is single and blended whiskey, which is mainly used for making cocktails. This whiskey has a harsh taste. Drinking it in its pure form is rarely liked by anyone, and diluting it with Coca-Cola is not a rule of good taste.

If you want to get true quality as a gift, then hurry away from the shelves with yellow promotional price tags. Three for the price of two is not your option today. Look for a more aged product, and even better - a single malt. And so that the price does not scare you - stock up on fortitude and a couple of solid banknotes.

It is believed that the understanding of drinking and the taste of whiskey comes with age and it takes a certain time to realize it. A particularly aged whiskey should be given to a mature person who already knows a lot about drinking whiskey and is able to appreciate its quality, while a less aged one is quite suitable for a young person who is just starting his journey into the sea of elite alcohol.

Blended Johnny is a master of his craft

The most popular whiskey brand in the world is Johnny Walker. It's on store shelves various options from the most ordinary to the real creation. The red label "Johnny Walker" is considered the most simple option gift. EIts taste is too rustic and does not have much zest. He has an exposure of 3 to 5 years in oak barrels. According to the classification, it belongs to young whiskey varieties. The price for 0.7 liters in a gift box is within 1,700 rubles.

9. Whiskey "Johnny Walker" – gold label

There are more expensive varieties of "Johnny Walker", such as the gold label. This whiskey has been aged in oak for at least 18 years, the product is blended. The price of such a drink is an order of magnitude higher than the previous one - it ranges from 5,900 rubles per bottle in a gift box. Its juicy taste reveals vanilla, spices and spices, almond and honey aroma. When used, it shows itself as oily and velvety, which is especially appreciated by true gourmets.

10. Whiskey "Johnny Walker" – black label

Intermediate between the red and gold label is a blended "Johnny Walker" in a black label. 12 years of oak aging gave this drink an excellent balanced taste. It has aromas of citrus and raisins, malt, peat and smoky. This whiskey will be a good gift for those who do not smoke cigars, but prefer to drink whiskey with cola and ice.

The price is approximately 2,400 rubles.

Single malt whiskey - the crown of creations

But all these are just the flowers of distillery craftsmanship, the real berries are single malt whiskey. Its taste is truly unique and cannot be compared with any other drink. It belongs to the category of elite alcohol. Whiskey labeled "single malt" produced in the UK, France, Japan, about however, the palm remains with the stubborn Scots.

Its difference from the blended one is that it is produced in one distillery, and only the best malted barley and crystal clear water are used in its production. It does not contain other grain impurities in its composition. Single malt whiskey is pure gold and the pride of Scottish distilleries.

We bring to your attention the most common brands of single malt, aged whiskey, which are ideal as a gift and will leave an indelible mark on taste buds hero of the occasion.

11. Whiskey "Glenfiddich" - a gift on the topic

The hit parade opens with the incomparable Glenfiddich (Glenfiddich), which has been aged in American and European oak for 12 years. Its amber color and round taste contain woody notes and aromas of vanilla and honey, pear and chocolate appear in its sweet aftertaste. Sold in a gift tube.

The price for 0.75 liters varies within 4,000 rubles.

12. Whiskey "Glenlivet" – meaningful

gentleman

Behind him is his older tribesman - single malt Glenlivet (Glenlivet) with 15 years of exposure. It matures in French oak and has the color of old gold. The taste is sweet and velvety. In its content, the main violin is played by a rich creamy aroma with notes of nuts, citrus fruits and flowers. The aftertaste is noble.

The cost of such a gift is from 5,600 rubles per 0.7 liter.

13. Whiskey "Lafroig" – gift not for the faint of heart

At the top of today's pedestal stands the undisputed leader - a magnificent 18-year-old strong Laphroaig (Laphroaig). Chocolate and nutty, sweet and caramel, the peaty Laphroig is a whiskey so rich and full-bodied that you can talk about it indefinitely, how long its long and balanced finish lasts.

The price for 0.7 liters is from 9,400 rubles.

Such a gift is ideal for a true connoisseur of whiskey. For beginners, its taste may seem too complicated, because drinking single malt whiskey is a special art!

Finally

Of course, the world market for the production of cognac and whiskey is so large and extensive that it is simply impossible to cover it in one article. But when choosing alcohol as a gift, it is absolutely not necessary to have a special sommelier education, because having a desire, each person is able to self-learn and improve in this area, and then reap the beneficial fruits of their labor.

This article, of course, is intended for true gourmets - connoisseurs of a strong grape alcoholic drink. But it will also come in handy for amateurs who want to try themselves as elite tasters, because this thing is not at all simple, and besides, it is quite expensive. Which cognac is the best, there has been a debate for many years and even centuries. In addition, not every brandy (at least in many European countries) is considered to be cognac. And the best brands of cognac are completely out of the question. But let's try to understand this very interesting question.

Not all brandy is cognac

It is known that this drink can be obtained, in short, by the method of double distillation of dry wine from grapes of certain varieties. The product is aged for quite a long time in oak barrels. There are certain nuances in the production process, but it would seem that there is nothing particularly complicated: there would be a high-quality vine and an oak barrel. Why, no matter how developed winemaking is in any country, not every product of this kind is considered cognac? And even if the manufacturer does not deviate from the classics in cooking technologies, even the best cognacs in terms of quality do not have the right to be called cognacs?

General requirements for the standard

The thing is that, according to the corresponding French decree adopted in 1909, this word can be called a drink, the raw materials for which are produced in the Charente department, Champagne provinces. Therefore, purely hypothetically, the best cognac can only be produced here. And the town of Cognac gave the appropriate name for the drink. According to the adopted document, real cognac only comes from here, from the west of the country. And other similar drinks produced in France are called armagnacs, vinacs, brandy.

In France

The best cognacs of the world, made by the French, are sold in elite editions, strictly limited. They are poured into specific dishes: crystal and even gold. And the most expensive copy (which, by the way, ended up in the record book) - Henri IV Dudognon - was sold for two million dollars! Of course, the bottle itself for an exquisite drink did not let us down. Its case was made of gold and platinum and adorned with many diamonds. Of course, the best cognacs are an elite thing, requiring an appropriate setting.

What is the best cognac?

Well, we have already mentioned the famous Henri IV Dudognon, worth two million. The contents include the finest hundred-year-old spirits.
The next number on the list is Hennesy Beaute, which was released in a limited edition of 100 bottles. The issue price is $200,000 per unit. It is packed no less exquisitely: an aluminum box with Venetian glass beads. It comes with four glasses, which are decorated with golden leaves.
Louis XIII Black Pearl Magnum may well be number three. The exclusive blend includes approximately one thousand two hundred cognac spirits, with experience of up to 100 years. The drink is placed in a special decanter called "Black Pearl". And the last bottle was bought for 34 thousand dollars.
No less presentable is the limited edition Jenssen Arcana (600 bottles produced), which received a special award for the design of the container. The decanter for this noble drink is made of special sapphire glass and packed in a handmade mahogany box. The experience of the used alcohols also amounted to more than 100 years. The price for a bottle is five and a half thousand dollars.
Hardy Perfection Fire is a drink that is made from pure spirits of 140 years of aging from rare varieties grapes. It has pronounced coffee and oak notes. Only 300 decanters have been produced, each with its own quality certificate. The price for a decanter is about $7,000.

Of course, other cognacs produced by the famous and most respected cognac houses in France can rightfully participate in disputes over which cognac is better. For example, Camus Cognac Cuvée or Courvoisier L'Esprit, which have at least original taste and long aftertaste. But it is impossible to list everything in such a short article.

In Russia

But what about the cognac business in Russia? Indeed, according to the laws of the international convention, domestic drinks of this kind cannot even be called cognacs. This rule was successfully bypassed even on the territory of the USSR, where there was a different trade agreement. It said that brandy that met the requirements of Soviet standards could be confidently called cognac. The same rule applies to the territories of the CIS today. Those wishing to support a domestic producer should be aware of the GOST standards in order to learn how to recognize the best cognacs in Russia.

GOST standards

In accordance with cognac legislation, the years of aging of spirits are presented in the form of asterisks. The so-called ordinary cognac - from three, respectively, to five stars. But the genuine best cognacs in Russia have a letter designation that you need to be able to decipher.

KV - which means "aged cognac" (at least 6-7 years).
KVVK - "seasoned cognac of the highest quality" (at least 8-10 years).
KS - "old cognac" (more than 10 years).
OS - "very old" (more than 20 years old).

In cognacs good brands contains from 42 to 57% alcohol. And when they are produced according to GOST standards, the introduction of younger alcohols into blends is allowed.

From the history

Russian cognacs also have their own history, which is quite old. So, in the Russian Empire, in Kutaisi, the first of them were made back in 1865. And the first factories were organized in Kizlyar, Tbilisi, Yerevan at the end of the 19th century. Among the well-known manufacturers, Shustov and Sarajishvili can be distinguished. During the revolutions, cognac production was temporarily suspended for the most part. But since 1924, the work of factories for the processing of raw materials has been resumed again. And in 1936, technical standards for Soviet cognacs were developed.

Hennessy (Hennessy)

This is one of the most important cognac houses in France, recognizable and revered in every corner of the world. The brand was founded in 1765 and already in 1794 carried out the first export delivery of cognac to North America.

In addition to its classic range, which includes the well-known Hennessy V.S. (Very Special), Hennessy V.S.O.P. Privilege, Hennessy Richard and Hennessy Paradis, in the Hennessy product line you can also find special cognacs produced for special occasions.

So, for example, stand out:

Hennessy Library. This drink was created as a reminder that the company treats its products like antiques that need to be protected;
Hennessy Private Reserve- this is a cognac with a surprisingly floral range, created on the basis of 14 alcohols;
Hennessy Ellipse, consisting of the 7 best alcohols. In addition, this cognac has a strength of 43.5%, although classic options cognac houses usually offer 40%.

Remy Martin (Remy March)

This cognac house is the second most famous place, right after Hennessy. The Remy Martin brand was founded in 1695 and since then has been actively developing, successfully competing with numerous cognac brands.

The secret of the success of the cognacs of this house was that it did not exchange for trifles. Remy Marta basically did not produce V.S. brand drinks, concentrating only on the highest quality alcohol.

Only at the end of the 90s the company decided to replenish the line with affordable cognacs and released Remy Martin VS Superior.

Augier (Ogier)

Cognac brand Ogier is the oldest brand in the world. It was founded in 1643 and still stands out for the stability of the quality of its products. The recipe for cognacs of this brand until recently remained the oldest and secret, passed down from generation to generation.

However, in 1968 the company was bought out, and although the new owners remained true to tradition for a long time, time forced them to give up and change the recipe.

Bisquit (Biscuit)

The founding father of this cognac house is 20-year-old Alexander Biscuit, who skillfully organized production in 1819. All Bisquit cognacs stand out for their long aging and rich taste.

Camus (Camus)

Elite and refined cognac of this house appeared on sale in 1863. In those days, it was preferred by all the royal courts of Europe. Today Camus stayed elite alcohol and is sold only in specialized stores.

Courvoisier (Courvoisier)

Courvoisier is Napoleon's favorite and revered cognac. The pride of this cognac house is:

very rich and complex taste a drink that opens slowly and gradually;
noble color;
aroma of citrus and pear.

All this made Courvoisier one of the most popular and best-selling cognacs in the world.

Delamain (Delamain)

The founder of this brand was an Englishman who settled in France and bought the whole estate for his favorite pastime.

Delamen drinks are famous for their very light color and amazingly rich fruity taste.

Croizet

The appearance of the Croiset house is a significant date of the beginning of the 17th century, because the cognacs of this brand are still recognized as one of the best. In addition, this house is one of those rare producers offering cognacs based on spirits of the same year.

Martell

Martell Cognacs are a treasure trove of ancient and refined cognac spirits that can date as far back as 1830. All retro spirits are stored in special cellars and only in Tromsey oak barrels. It was this method of storage that helped achieve the surprisingly mild taste of Martel drinks.

Davidoff (Davidoff)

Our rating is completed by a young cognac brand that began its history with a Ukrainian emigrant and cigarettes. Cognacs appeared on the market as an addition to cigars, however, they soon gained independence and ceased to be associated with tobacco. Other features of the brand include exclusive bottles and production based on Hennessy cognac.

Almost every cognac listed above You can always buy at the WineStreet store. With us you choose from the best!

Choosing a decent drink, you need to understand its classification. The main criterion that reflects the quality of cognac is information about the duration of the aging (ripening) process. The older the cognac, the better. In the CIS countries, age division is usually marked with asterisks:

three stars - the drink has 3-5 years of aging;
five stars - high quality cognac, aged from 5 to 15 years.

Important! The minimum aging period for Armenian cognac is 3 years. Alcohol with a shorter aging period can only be called cognac.

Manufacturers from other countries are guided by the following classification:

VS, short for Very Special, often referred to as triple S (three stars) - minimum shutter speed is 2-3 years. There are drinks with a 5-7 year period.
VSOP, short for Very Superior Old Pale, has a 4-year maturation period. In practice, maturation for this category is much higher and averages 7-20 years.
XO, short for Extra Old, ripens for 6 years. In practice, strong drinks from this category are aged for 20-50 years.

Probably, they will soon release a new category XO 10 for the oldest drinks.

Rules for buying cognac in a store

Price is the first thing you need to pay attention to. The specificity of the production of natural cognac is the distillation of fermented grape juice. This is a complex and costly process.

In addition, there are very few vineyards left in our country now. There is an acute shortage of grape raw materials for producers. You have to buy foreign alcohol, for example French. This also drastically increases the cost of production.

Attention! This exclusive cognac is expensive. If you have a bottle cheaper than 500 rubles. - It's a fake copy. Experts say that the percentage of counterfeit cognac today is 90%.

External characteristics of the quality of cognac packaging

Pay attention to how the bottle is designed, what kind of glass, how the label is pasted, how much the manufacturer spent on packaging.

Bottle. A bottle that has a complex, structured shape, with a strong, embossed glass, indicates that the breeder is concerned about protection against fakes. The more interesting the bottle, the better. Cognac in a universal bottle, often turns out to be a surrogate.

Label. The label with the name must be attached perfectly evenly, without shifts, bubbles of folds and corners lagging behind the glass. It doesn't stick on top. excise stamp, but is located below it or next to it. The label provides information about the age of the cognac/brandy, the aging time in oak barrels and the place where the drink was made.

Important! Each label has a special stamp with a number. You can go online to the Rosalkogolregulirovanie website and get information about what exactly should be sold under this brand.

Pay attention to the composition indicated on the label. If the manufacturer declares rectified alcohol and flavorings, such a drink cannot be called cognac or brandy. The basis of natural cognac is only cognac spirit.

Lid. Another sign by which you need to choose cognac. The lid must be made of cork or wood chips. Do not rotate, but hermetically attached to the neck of the bottle. On real alcoholic products, the caps are heat-sealed. The contents of the bottle must not come into contact with the cork.

Advice! Buy cognac in supermarkets. Control over small retail outlets is much weaker. Ask for a certificate of conformity for the selected product.

Which cognac is better

There are a number of criteria that distinguish high-quality cognac, these are:

Colour;
smell;
consistency.

Colour. Interestingly, after the distillation process, cognac is completely colorless. Manufacturers color it natural dyes(caramel, oak chips). As a result, the color of real cognac varies from wheat to light brown with amber, golden hues.

Attention! Fake cognac often has a sediment and a cloudy unnatural color.

Smell. The main value of cognac, among other things, is the refined aroma of an oak barrel, in which the drink has been waiting in the wings for a long time to be bottled. When opening it, depending on the brand and aging of cognac, you additionally feel spicy amber: vanilla, dried apricots, plums, nuts, cookies, chocolate raisins, mushrooms. This list seems to be endless. The taste of good cognac is very persistent.

A sharp, overly intrusive, sweet smell of perfume is a sign of counterfeit.

Advice! Pour cognac into a glass and wait 5-10 minutes. If cognac smells like kerosene or solvent, then you have a fake made from industrial alcohol.

Consistency. Over the years of aging cognac is enriched with tannins, which make it more viscous and oily. Not enough in good cognac fusel oils, it does not dry the larynx.

Advice! Glass of cognac, tilt and turn slightly. See how the liquid descends along the walls of the glass. High-quality cognac remains for some time on the glass in the form of a film. Then it drains slowly, concentrating into small drops.

Manufacturers and brands of cognac

There has always been a rule - the best cognac is produced in regions where grapes grow, from enterprises that process fresh, natural raw materials. For several centuries, such manufacturers as Hennessy, Martell, Remy Martin, COURVOISIER, Napoleon, Tres Vieux, ExtraGrande, Vieille Reserve, Greek brandy Metaxa.

In the expanses of the post-Soviet space, cognac is most famous:

Georgia - Dagestan, Derbent, Kizlyar, Grammy, Georgian, Bagration, Erisioni;
Ukraine - Shustov, Mark;
Moldova - Lei, White Stork;
Armenia - traditional Ararat, Yerevan, Ani, Noy.

Important! If, for example, the city of Kaliningrad is indicated on the label, the likelihood of acquiring counterfeit products increases significantly.

Knowing the rules for choosing cognac, you can buy a really high-quality drink that will not leave you negative consequences for the body.

How to choose cognac - video

Cognac is considered to be the king of alcoholic beverages. His strength and refined taste leaves no man indifferent. It is used to express gratitude and appreciation. He is a frequent guest at feasts and feasts. However, its cost varies from 300 rubles to thousands of dollars, explaining its origin, age and elitism. Therefore, the question arises, what brandy to buy, and how not to make a mistake with its brand? Consider the rating of inexpensive cognacs, which are in no way inferior in quality to expensive alcoholic beverages.

Cognac Features

An alcoholic drink with a fairly high strength is obtained by secondary distillation of grape must, after which a carefully selected distillate is sent to oak barrels. Each type of cognac is made from certain grape varieties with the highest acidity.

The quality of cognac, as well as its age, are marked on bottles using special abbreviations:

V.S (Very Special) – aging period of at least 2 years;
S (Superior) - aging in oak barrels from 2 to 3 years;
V.O (Very Old) - time spent in an oak barrel for at least 4 years;
V.S.O.P (Very Special Old Pale) - aging from 4 to 5 years;
V.V.S.O.P (Very Very Special Old Pale) – term secondary fermentation at least 5 years;
X.O (Extra Old) - aged juice for 6 years or more.

How longer cognac was in oak barrels, the richer its aroma and brighter taste. These designations significantly affect the price of an alcoholic product. Consider the rating of the most inexpensive, but worthy brands of cognacs that can compete with their French ancestors.

There is a version that the more expensive cognac, the more fakes on the shelves. In accordance with this, if it is not possible to buy the original, there is no need to be afraid to purchase a fake and get poisoned by the usual tinted ethyl alcohol. You can always find a domestic analogue with a quality mark no worse than foreign. And the price will be within reason. Since for each person the concept of “inexpensive” has its own monetary equivalents, we suggest considering cognacs in two price categories: up to 500 rubles and from 500 to 1000.

Cognacs up to 500 rubles

So, if you have only 500 rubles at your disposal, the first thing to remember is that the leaders quality cognacs this price category are manufacturers from Moldova, Armenia and Ukraine. Therefore, if one of these producing countries is indicated on the label, you can safely take it, no matter what brandy brand.

Jatone X.O. Extra

Cognac is made in the House of Vintage Cognacs "Tavria", located on the territory of Ukraine. Its cost for 250 ml does not exceed 200 rubles. The aging period is more than 6 years, as evidenced by its rich amber color and velvety aftertaste. Light milky and vanilla notes, as well as a strength of 40% make it a favorite among the fair sex.

White stork

Moldovan cognac is distinguished by its lightness and less saturated color. The holding period is at least 5 years. For 500 ml of an alcoholic drink, you will have to pay 480 rubles, but such expenses are justified at any feast. A special processing technology and unique varieties of white grapes make cognac a real Moldovan pride. They have been drinking it in the CIS for more than a decade, so he fell in love not only for his availability, but also for his excellent qualities.

Ararat 5*

Magnificent Armenian cognac, the price of which for 250 ml does not exceed 400 rubles. It can quite compete with the world famous Hennessy, thanks to the perfect combination of delicate, heady aromas of blackcurrant and grapes. In one sip, a whole enchanting bouquet of dried fruits, peaches and plums is revealed. Cognac is good both as an aperitif and for dessert. Ladies prefer to add Ararat to coffee. When it gets into hot coffee, cognac begins to play with aromas, enhancing and emphasizing its individuality.

As you can see, you do not need to own millions to touch the fine elite drinks with a long exposure time.

Cognacs from 500 to 1000 rubles

When it is possible to spend more than 500 rubles on alcohol, the rating of cognacs expands significantly, allowing you to touch world famous brands.

Lezginka

The cognac of the Kizlyars plant has an incredible aroma of chocolate, for which it gained its popularity among women. The bottle has several levels of protection, so it is almost impossible to buy a fake in a store. Its cost for 500 ml is 500-600 rubles, which is quite acceptable for cognac of this level. Ideal as a digestif, but can also be used in desserts.

Blades V.V.S.O.P

Elite cognac is perhaps the best of the inexpensive representatives of domestic production. Its price for 500 ml ranges from 950 to 1000 rubles, while its chic taste will not leave anyone indifferent. Intense dark amber color, combined with no less bright aroma, gives a real holiday.

Tetroni 5*

Magnificent five-year-old cognac, the cost of which per bottle does not exceed 1000 rubles. Its tart rich taste perfectly stimulates the appetite and fills the body with energy. Served as an aperitif. Tetroni has conquered its connoisseurs with the presence of a tart taste, which gives smoked plum and nutmeg. This cognac can be ranked among the top brands in sales of large alcohol stores and supermarkets.

Old Kakheti 5*

Another treasure of Georgia is cognac aged in oak barrels for more than five years. It has a high strength, while it is easy to drink and has a good aftertaste. Light amber color and incredible aroma, perfectly combined with the high quality of the product, allows you to plunge into the old Georgian villages where white grapes are grown for the production of this cognac. For such excellent qualities, you will have to pay only 700 rubles, which is not much in relation to other manufacturers.

Arcadia

The best cognac produced at the Ukrainian distillery in Odessa. Its peculiarity and significant advantage is the unique mixing of flavors, achieved through the peculiarities of production. They make it from 10 types of alcohols, which can be clearly heard in every sip of an elite drink. Its cost for 250 ml is 900-1000 rubles. It is especially popular with women, as it goes well with desserts and dark chocolate.

Since the production of cognac takes a certain time, requires special conditions and appropriate skills, its cost cannot be low by definition. However, there are a number of good cognacs, which are both affordable and have a quality no worse than French ones. elite drinks. Whatever cognac you have to buy, remember that there are a lot of fakes, so be sure to check the bottles for quality. This will not only protect against buying low-quality goods, but also help to avoid poisoning with tinted ethyl alcohols, carefully disguised as a noble drink.