Brandy and Cognac: What is the difference, which is better? 5 differences between brandy and cognac: description. What do stars on brandy cognac mean?

Dedicated to amateurs and connoisseurs of alcoholic beverages. In this material, the difference between brandy and cognac will be considered.

Content

In the 21st century, it will not be news to anyone that many are interested in alcoholic beverages. In a sense, this is even an art, so to speak. Connoisseurs of the types of alcohol are ranked to the “face of saints”, since they can always advise something that is worthy of your attention, and recommend those drinks that are better.

Let's look at such types of alcohol as cognac and brandy. In any case, this information will be deposited on a shelf in your head and will allow you to choose really high -quality drinks.

Brandy and Cognac: What is the difference, which is better?

Such a drink such as cognac is widely known in the circles of gourmets and "elites." Just imagine a man in a suit, with a cigar and a glass of cognac in his hand, sitting in a soft chair. A beautiful picture, isn't it? So what can prevent you from becoming part of this picture? One has only to figure out what cognac is itself and how to drink it.

So what is it cognac?Let's look at as detailed as possible.

The term "cognac" comes from France, this drink is named after the city of Cognac. Only French origin allows you to name this alcoholic drink precisely "cognac". It is produced from special grape varieties by long -standing and distillation
It is believed that cognac should always be very high quality. It is for this that many people give him preference. The French are very scrupulous in the manufacture of cognac - in their opinion, it should be the best. You can’t “fall into the mud face”, making poor -quality alcohol. In the worst case, its connoisseurs simply throw them stones for disrespect for their own brainchild.

Therefore, the very manufacture of this drink should take place according to all the instructions, clearly and neatly. All this is done so that cognac is really “the best”.

“Cognac” is not a specific drink - it has many species. It is thanks to this variety that even the most picky gourmet will be able to find what he will like exactly
As far as is known, there are about 175 cognac manufacturers. They create a wide variety of varieties of the drink, which greatly delight lovers of this exquisite alcohol
A little about the endurance of the drink. Exposure of cognac plays a very important role. If it lasts less than 2 years, then this is difficult to call cognac. It is very important to adhere to exposure time during manufacture. If it is indicated that the excerpt is too small (less than 2 years), then such a drink is not transported abroad, because this is a violation of the rules, and simply disrespect for consumers
For the production of cognac, only special types of grapes are used. For example, Semiyon or Foil Blanche. Truly French names, isn't it?
In order for cognac to be a pleasant bronze hue, caramel can be used in its manufacture. By the way, most often in this way, manufacturers sweeten this very strong drink
For the correct manufacturing of the liquid, which will soon become cognac, not one, not one, but 2 times. The process is longer and painstaking, but the result is worth it
An interesting fact is that in the process of excerination of cognac, only wooden oak barrels are used, without any iron details. And all barrels are done manually! This is a very hard work, however, for real masters, this is a vocation, thanks to which we can enjoy this drink
Also, when the cognac passes the exposure period, barrels with it should be in a wet cellar. Humidity plays a very important role in this process
The characteristic features of cognac should include its pleasant aroma with a slight tone of vanilla, golden-high-high color and that peculiar “cognac taste” that acquires this drink only as a result of prolonged exposure in oak barrels
If cognac is not enough “correct” color, that is, muddy or has some kind of suspicious sediment, then it is not allowed to sell and consumption

Now a few words about the use of cognac.As you know, this exquisite drink can be “soft” in taste, or tart and bitter. Firstly, it depends on what kind of cognac you will acquire (excerpt, from which grape varieties it is made), and secondly, on how the consumer relates to different tastes. Someone needs a soft and light taste, and someone prefers more “insistent” alcohol. Taste and color, as they say ...

As for the capacity, from which, according to tradition, cognac is drunk, it already depends on time. It definitely changes these traditions.

At first, a standard container was a glass in the shape of a ball, narrowed to the top and on a short leg. 100% you saw how mafiosi drank from such glasses in old films or other influential people. It looks spectacular. It was customary to hold this glass with a hand not by the leg, but by the ball itself, occasionally stirring the cognac in it with the help of circular movements so that it touches the walls of the glass
Over time, the tradition changed, and a glass in the shape of a tulip replaced such a glass - it is also spherical, but it is not narrowed to the top, but on the contrary it is revealed like a tulip bud. It is not clear where this tradition came from, but it looks good too

Here are a few more interesting facts about this noble drink.

Cognac should never be cooled or too heated, this will not allow it to reveal all its taste and aromatic qualities. In any case, it should be precisely room temperature
The French, as legal manufacturers, put one important cliche - cognac should be combined only with coffee, cigar and chocolate. It sounds quite aesthetically pleasing, the overall picture appears in the head
But the Americans decided that these 3 things are somehow very little for cognac, and therefore established the rule that cognac should be drunk before meals, interfering with tonic. Well, they are consumers, this is their right to change something in what they are provided. Many people - many opinions, as they say
Russia also stood out - it was there that the tradition appeared to eat cognac with lemon slices. This is not the best idea. The sharp taste of lemon interrupts the taste of cognac, which is why it partially loses its properties and affects the person not as we would like. They don’t do it in any country except in Russia
When cognac after many years of exposure becomes “perfect” after its tasting by masters, it is poured into glass large bottles and put somewhere in a secluded corner of the cellar, where it can stand for many more years, but not changing. The French call this place and the period of paradise. Why not? What is not paradise - high -quality cognac around ...

Now pay attention to the no less popular drink - brandy.Brandy is a strong alcoholic drink, which is created by distillation of grapes, fruits or berries.

The name "brandy" translates as "burning wine". A rather unusual term. Why wine and why burnt? There is an answer to the first question - some varieties of brandy are made precisely from grapes. But the second question will remain hanging in the air - the grapes do not burn, but drive. Here, the right to set the name is already assigned to the manufacturer. By the way, brandy began to drink back in the 14th century, in Europe. Even then, this drink was very popular in hotels, among sailors and merchants
This drink is usually consumed after eating, regardless of the country. And the lower the temperature of the liquid, the more pleasant the brandy tastes and the easier and more refined its aroma
Brandy is divided into 3 types - grape, berry and fruit
Grape Brandy includes a large number of species, depending on the country of manufacture (Russian brandy, American, Bulgarian, Greek, South African, sherry, Portuguese, Armane)
The berry brandy, in turn, is made of squeezes - berry pulp of grapes after all juice is pumped out of it, as well as from bones and stems
Fruit brandy, as it is easy to guess, is created when distilling fruits and berries (any other than grapes). It can be apples, peaches, raspberries, cherries, plum, apricot. These will all be different varieties of brandy, choose them already to their taste

Now a few words about the endurance of the drink and actually about its quality.

Brandy can be sustained and unstressed. The first type - the endurance of the drink passes according to all the rules. At the same time, brandy has a rich amber color, a pleasant smell and a very soft taste. The second type differs in that his excerpt is too small, which is why it is tinted with caramel, the taste is not so rich
Sometimes brandy is very cheap, cost almost a penny. This is due to the fact that in its production various fruits and berries are used, and not just pure elite grapes. And the method of distillation also significantly affects the quality of the drink and, accordingly, the price

As you can see, the difference between cognac and brandy still exists. Different methods and ingredients of manufacture, different pricing policy and, of course, different taste. Regarding the question "What is tastier?" - This is a personal file of everyone, it all depends on preferences and opportunities.

5 differences between brandy and cognac: description

Based on the above properties of these drinks, we can highlight at least 5 differences in brandy from cognac:

Brandy is made of fruits, grapes and berries. Cognac, in turn, is made only from grapes and is a subspecies of Brandy. The name "cognac" is assigned to French grape brandy
When creating cognac, everything natural is used. Brandy can tint.
It is also worth saying that cognac through the fortress always reaches 40 degrees, while brandy can even have 60
Cognac can be produced only in France. In other countries, no one has the right to name grape brandy cognac
Only in the manufacture of cognac is double distillation. This greatly affects the quality of the drink, which is why it is always very expensive, unlike brandy

What do stars on brandy and cognac mean?

You probably noticed that small stars can be depicted on the labels of these drinks. Have you thought for what they are for? The first thought that visits the head is quality. And that is true. The amount of stars directly depends on the quality, that is, on the exposure of the drink.

If the label shows only 3 starsThis means that its endurance is at least 3 years. This is a quite good brandy or cognac that is suitable for consumption
4 stars On the label, they will tell you that the drink has an excerpt for at least 4 years. Its quality is even higher and it is already more difficult to buy it - the price bites a little
5 stars - The highest quality of the drink - his price goes off scale, but it's worth it. This is the most elite drink, it is very difficult to get. Often you can stumble upon a fake at the same price, or “at a discount”, so you need to be careful and consider the label for the presence of all the signs that will indicate you to the authenticity of cognac or brandy

The number of stars on a bottle of alcohol primarily shows the potential buyer the exposure period. Indirectly by stars, one can also judge the quality of the product, but not always 5-Tzeldal cognac and brandy can be of high quality, very often you can find a cheap fake at the cost of the original. That is why, before buying expensive alcohol, carefully inspect the bottle and label.

Another advice - if you need to purchase really high -quality brandy and cognac and you are ready not to regret it money, go to a specialized alcohol store. It is in such an institution that there are always consultants who will help you with the choice of a drink, while a chance to buy a fake in such a store is much less.

Cognac and Brandy fortress: How many degrees?

Lovers of alcohol in 99% of cases are interested in how many degrees in a particular drink, whether it is worth consuming it, or is it a waste of time and money.

The degree plays a very important role in creating cognac or brandy. Both quality and popularity among consumers depend on it
The degree, that is, the fortress, should always be indicated on the label, near the stars indicating the quality of the drink
As for Brandy, then, for example, Armane has a fortress of 40-50 degrees
Cognac, in turn, with a 5-year exposure boasts a fortress of a little more than 40 degrees, and 30-year-old-about 37 degrees
As for the 40-year-old, almost unique cognac, its degree will be even lower-32-33 degrees. This is compensated by a very strong and pleasant smell by which masters can determine the almost accurate age of the drink
The brandy fortress swaying within 30-40 degrees, and cognac sometimes reaches 50 degrees. The difference is felt

As a conclusion, we can say that cognac and brandy have a lot in common, but at the same time differ from each other. This manifests itself in quality, and in price, and, of course, in taste.

Of course, brandy is a wider term, it includes drinks of different varieties, as they are made from different fruits and berries. Cognac is fixed for the French and is included in the vine branded list.

In the end, I want to say that both cognac and brandy are very popular among people. When choosing a drink, be guided primarily by your preferences and capabilities, because a variety of alcohol allows everyone to choose what his soul wishes.