Cognac a high quality brandy distilled from wine and named after the town of Cognac, France. It has an alcohol content of 40% by volume and is produced by several manufacturers as designated by the AOC.
Cognac is made exclusively by the distillation of white wine from selected grapes, in selected regions, mainly the Ugni Blanc grape, as prescribed by the Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC).
The different qualities of cognacs are a blend of matured eau-de-vie of different ages and styles and from different regions. Maturing and blending cognac is indeed a very expensive and intricate process. (Summarized from Larrouse Gastronomique).
Classification of Brandy
Brandy is classified as:
- V.S. (Very Special) or ✯✯✯ (three stars);
- V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale) or Reserve;
- XO (Extra Old) or Napoléon;
- Hors d’âge (Beyond Age)
Manufacturers include: Courvoisier, Hennessy, Martell, Rémy Martin, Jacquiot
What to do with Cognac?
Cognac can be drunk by itself as an after dinner liqueur in a small balloon glass.
Depending on the quality of the Cognac, it can be served neat, or diluted with water or soda or mixed in cocktails.
Cognac is also used in cooking in sauces and marinades as well as dishes such as rabbit casserole, fricassée of chicken, pancakes and zabaglione. It’s also used in fruit preserves and chocolates.
Other cognac based liqueurs
- Grand Marnier-orange liqueur made from cognac.
- Pineau des Charentes: a sweet aperitif
- Domaine De Canton: a cognac based ginger liqueur
- Chambord: a liqueur infused with black and red raspberries and Madgascar vanilla.
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