About Cognac & Armagnac
Cognac and Armagnac are two distinct but similar types of French brandy. Both of these spirits begin their lives as a humble, unpalatable white wine, which is then transformed into Cognac or Armagnac through a process of distillation and aging. This artisanal process is protected by French law, so that only spirits from certain regions made in the traditional way may be called Cognac and Armagnac. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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Both Cognac and Armagnac have been produced in France for centuries. Armagnac has the distinction of being the oldest wine distilled in all of France, with production dating back as far as the 14th century and possibly farther. Historically, spirits like Cognac and Armagnac were used medicinally in addition to being consumed as beverages.
Features
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Both Cognac and Armagnac are produced by distilling a thin white wine made primarily from Ugni Blanc and/or Colombard grapes. Cognac is distilled twice, in copper pot stills, then aged in oak for a minimum of two years. The double distillation produces a spirit that is approximately 70% alcohol, so the final is diluted with water to 40% alcohol. Armagnac is generally distilled just once, in column stills, which produces a somewhat less refined result with approximately 40% alcohol (therefore, no need for dilution of the final product). It is also aged for a minimum of two years in oak. Both Cognac and Armagnac can be aged in oak for much more than two years, and are often aged for as much as 20 years in the case of XO spirits.
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Geography
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Cognac and Armagnac are produced in specific regions of France, both in the western part of the country. The towns of Cognac and Armagnac are two of only three officially designated brandy regions in all of Europe. There are six separate areas or crus in the Cognac region and three in the Armagnac region, each of which has a specific climate and soil type, and each of which produces spirits with a specific flavor profile. Spirits from the various crus are often blended to produce a Cognac with a brand-specific flavor, but there are also Cognacs and Armagnacs available that are made with spirits from just one cru or even one vineyard.
Types
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Cognac and Armagnac are labeled and marketed according to their age in most cases. There are three official age designations for these spirits: "VS" or Very Special, which must be aged a minimum of two years; "VSOP" or Very Superior Old Pale, which must be aged a minimum of four years; and "XO" or Extra Old, which must be aged a minimum of six years. Since most Cognacs contain a blend of spirits of different ages, the designation refers to the age of the youngest component. It is not uncommon for an XO cognac to contain spirits that average over 20 years in age. Producers have created marketing terms like "Hors d'Age" (meaning ageless) to denote special Cognacs and Armagnacs that are older than the typical XO.
Considerations
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Cognac and Armagnac vary widely in flavor, smoothness and price due to the age of their various components and the quality of their producers. Cognacs are produced mainly by large companies (like Courvoisier, Hennesey and Remy-Martin), whereas Armagnac is generally made by smaller independent producers. The best way to find a Cognac or Armagnac you like is to taste them, rather than depending on a brand name or age designation.
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