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How to drink cognac? Almost every connoisseur of alcohol asks this question. We will immediately answer that there are simply no strict rules, postulates and prohibitions regarding this topic.
everything you need to know about cognac
Cognac classifications
Before talking about the features of the use of cognac, it is worth dividing it into categories, because the method of drinking and other subtleties depend on them.
In its homeland, cognac is divided into two groups:
Ordinary cognac
3-5 years of exposure.
Collection cognac
From 6 years old and up.
They differ from each other both in the richness of the flavor bouquet and the sophistication of the aroma, and in color.
In addition, there are a myriad of brandy varieties produced using cognac technology, but not considered real cognac, which can only be produced in the vicinity of the city of the same name in the province of Charente.
Tips for Connoisseurs
Everyone knows what cognac is and where it comes from. But not everyone knows how to drink cognac correctly. Let’s look at the main mistakes and misconceptions when drinking this wonderful drink:
Lemon slice
The notorious slice of lemon, invariably associated with a glass of cognac in the minds of the average inhabitant of the post-Soviet space.
At the same time, a lemon that dulls taste perception cannot act as a cognac snack.
Wrong glass
Very often, a French drink is drunk in ordinary glasses or glasses that are “at hand”, but for aged cognac and for any brandy more expensive than 50 euros, this is a real blasphemy.
For drinking cognac, there is a special glass called a snifter, which is also known as a cognac glass.
It is worth noting that this is not just a “whim”, but a really effective tool that allows you to reveal the entire bouquet of the drink.
And do not forget that cognac is poured into them no more than a quarter.
The more respectable the age of cognac, the darker it is.
Tricks like tinting cognac with caramel are not uncommon or completely unknown dye is not uncommon among cheap brands of cognac.
All this is done with one goal – to mislead you and sell low-quality goods.
It is worth remembering that such cognac is produced exclusively by famous brands, which are mostly located in France, from which you can conclude which product is in front of you.
Learn all about popular cognac brands.
How to determine the quality of a drink by eye
First of all, pay attention to the presence or absence of caramel colors in the composition. Kohler is an acceptable ingredient, but such cognac cannot claim to be elite.
If it is not in the composition, but there is doubt, leave a fingerprint on the outer wall of the glass, which, in the absence of foreign ingredients, will be visible through the drink. But that’s not all.
With a slow rotation of a glass of cognac around its axis, traces are formed on the walls, called “legs”. If, after stopping the procedure, the “legs” persist for five seconds, then the age of the drink reaches 5-8 years. If the effect does not disappear within fifteen seconds, then you can safely take off your virtual hat in front of at least 20-year-old cognac.
Fake or not
To understand this issue, Vzboltai wrote an entire article.
How to drink collectible cognac
Cognac, especially collectible, does not tolerate fuss and profanity. His element is an afternoon digestif. Following the example of the French, it is best to start it after a cup of good black coffee, drunk at the end of the meal.
Fundamental rules
Cognac temperature
It is important that the cognac is at the right temperature: not lower than 20, but not higher than 25°C. This will allow him to reveal the fullness of his merits.
Fragrance enjoyment
The smell emitted by cognac seems to be stratified into three waves.
The first, which has a slight hint of vanilla, is caught at a distance of 5-10 centimeters from the edge of the glass.
The second – floral-fruity – is felt near the very edge of the glass. It may contain violet, linden, apricot notes, as well as a delicate smell of roses.
The third wave with a complex bouquet associated with good port wine can only be felt directly inside the container.
If you want to slightly enhance the aroma of the drink, you can slightly warm it by wrapping your hand around the cup of the glass.
Drink in small sips
Savor every drop of this precious drink and enjoy its aftertaste to the fullest. At the same time, the first sip, which allows your taste buds to tune in the right way, should be less than the rest.
No snack
Of course, collection cognac does not accept any snack. However, the tougher varieties of this drink pair wonderfully with good cigars.
How to drink ordinary cognac
Any ordinary cognac feels very good not only as a digestif, but also during a feast. The main thing at the same time is the correct selection of snacks.
As a starter, hard cheeses, pates, olives, seafood, salmon slices or canapes with caviar are well suited here.
For hot dishes, it is worth serving lean white meat (veal or poultry), cooked without spices.
The best desserts are dark chocolate, ice cream, whipped cream and fruits of temperate latitudes (apples, pears, grapes), and, of course, you can’t do without strong black coffee.
Also, carefully selected non-alcoholic drinks are allowed to be served with such a feast. They can be: juice from white grapes and non-carbonated mineral water.
Ordinary varieties of brandy can be used in cocktails.
But still, it is better to do this with brandies made using cognac technology with an aging period of up to five years. Among these, mainly dessert cocktails, the following can be mentioned: Champagne Cocktail, Coarnado, Alba, White Delight, Honeymoon, Chocolate Dream and many others.
There is also an American tradition of drinking cognac with cola or tonic, but in this case, only one thing can be said: “there is no arguing about tastes.”
cognac cocktail recipes
Relevance: 02.07.2015
Tags: brandy and cognac