LM AspirationsLM AspirationsDid you know…
In 2020, a 258 Year Old bottle of Cognac (oldest known vintage), the rare Cognac of 1762 sold at auction for $144,525.
The most expensive and rare Grande Fine Champagne Cognac (DNA of cognac), bottled over 100 years and first produced in 1776 sells for over $2 million. This cognac is made from grapes grown in the Grande Champagne cru.
Talk about luxury.
Cognac brandy can be dated back to 17th century. French wine was double-distilled with heat, turning the wine into “brandewijn” (or burnt wine), to endure shipments to Europe. This process created Cognac brandy. Mostly produced in the Charente and Charente-Maritime regions of France and like Champagne it is named for the town of Cognac, France.
In these two regions, there are six vineyard areas (the Crus). The two key areas are Grande Champagne (highest quality) and Petite Champagne, then areas by order of quality: Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois, and Bois Ordinaires.
Fine Champagne, while not a Cru – a controlled AOC, it is a wonderful blend of Grande Champagne (at least 50%) and Petite Champagne eaux-de-vie (“water of life”).
Grande Fine Champagne cognacs must be only from the Grande Champagne.
By French law, to use the name cognac the brandy must aged for an approved period of time in Limousin oak casks (or barrels), a distinctive distilling process in pot stills, as well as a specified variety of grape. Wine used for cognac is mostly made from the Ugni Blanc grape. This white wine grape was selected for its low alcohol content and high acidity. High level acidity is ideal for preserving the wine before the distillation process. Other grape varieties include Colombard or Folle Blanche, also white wine grapes. It takes several liters of wine to produce one liter of brandy. Each crucial step in production, from distillation to the growing of specific grapes, must take place within areas of the Charente and Charente-Maritime regions to be called Cognac.
The average age and minimum requirements set by law are one to 5 years. However, some rare cognacs have been aged for over 40 to 50 years. Age of a cognac refers to the time spent in oak, no longer ages once bottled.
Aging:
V.S. (Very Special, De Luxe) – two years
V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale, Royal) – four years
Napoleon – five years
XO or Extra old (Gold, Imperial) – six to ten years
XXO or Extra, Extra Old – 14+ years
Branded selections
Anniversaire, Cordon Bleu, Triomphe – 10 to 50 years
Many different regions of the world are also known for their unique variety of brandy.
Whichever you choose Cognac or Brandy, please enjoy responsibly.