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What do V.S. and V.S.O.P. mean? Cognac must be aged for at least 2 years in French oak, at which point it's labeled "V.S. (Very Special)." After that, these distinctions that break down a bottle's ...
Cognac is a type of brandy, and after the distillation and during the aging process, is also called eau de vie. [6] It is produced by twice distilling wine made from grapes grown in any of the designated growing regions.
The distillate obtained in this manner has a higher alcohol concentration (approximately 90% ABV) and is less aromatic. The choice of the apparatus depends on the style of brandy produced. [16] Cognac and South African brandy are examples of brandy produced in batches [16] while many American brandies use fractional distillation in column stills.
Armagnac is the oldest brandy (and liquor) recorded to be still distilled in the world. In 1310, Prior Vital du Four, a cardinal, wrote of its 40 virtues. [1] [2] Vital du Four was born in Bazas, in the centre of Armagnac.
Vins de liqueur take greater flavour from the added brandy but are also sweeter than vin doux. Examples include Floc de Gascogne which is made using 1/3 armagnac to 2/3 grape juice from the same vineyard, Pineau des Charentes in the Cognac zone, Macvin in Jura; there is also Pommeau similarly made by blending apple juice and apple brandy.
A bottle of Courvoisier VS (Very Special) cognac. Courvoisier (French pronunciation:) is a brand of cognac, with production based in the town of Jarnac in the Charente region of France. It is the youngest and smallest of the "big four" cognac houses (the others are Hennessy, Rémy Martin, and Martell). [1]
They also developed an export business, and by 1814 Martell was the most consumed brandy in England. In 1831, Martell created its first V.S.O.P. cognac. [1] The use of English-language designations like "very superior old pale" and "extra old" reflected aged cognac's status as primarily an export product. [1]
All Cognac is produced by blending a variety of eau de vie which can be made from grapes from different locations, and from different vintages. It is the cellar master's skill that ensures that a brand's Cognac is recognizable regardless of when it is produced, since he can blend multiple eaux de vie to achieve the right taste for his house.