About Vintage Cognac
Cognac, a distillant of grapes, is the leading type of brandy. This closely-controlled product is native to the towns of Cognac and Jarnac in France. Vintage cognac, however, is not native to France--it is a British creation. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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A Vintage cognac is a blend of cognacs distilled from a single year's growth. Vintage cognac is a fairly recent creation. In fact, before 1989, the sale of vintage cognac was prohibited by French law. For this reason, it has only been available for sale on the market since the nineties. It still remains relatively rare, although there is an emerging trend for vintage cognac.
Identification
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Cognac that is matured in France will never have a date. However, a bottle of genuine vintage cognac must bear the date of its vintage, along with the date that it was bottled. This indicates the length of time that the brandy was matured, which is important, because a spirit does not improve in the bottle, no matter how long it is bottled.
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Types
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There are two types of vintage cognacs: early-landed vintage cognac and Jarnac-matured vintage cognac. The two differ as a result of the methods by which they are aged. Each vintage is unique because the storage conditions as well as the climate in which they are matured influences their taste.
Features
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The Jarnac-matured cognacs are matured in Jarnac, in the Cognac region of France. In the drier cellars of this region, the brandy darkens as it ages. This is because the high rate of oxidation and water evaporation in these cellars increases the alcohol content. The cask is regularly topped off with more water to lower its alcoholic strength.
Features
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Early-landed vintage cognac is aged in Bristol, England. It is made from brandy that is sent to England in a cask, one year or two after the vintage from which is distilled. This brandy is aged in England, in damp, cellars. Because water evaporates at a much slower rate because of the high humidity in these cellars, its alcohol content tends to fall naturally eliminating the need to add water.
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- Photo Credit Author: nkzs - Image used courtesy of stock.xchng, under the stock.xchng license
