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Cognacs of France have always been the standard of elite alcohol. All over the world, manufacturers are guided by the French, trying to bring the quality of their products closer to the quality of a real masterpiece from the Poitou-Charentes region. Among the most expensive samples - as well as among the unique, most intense, sophisticated and elegant ones - French ones make up the majority.

You can join the history and culture of the famous country, which are inextricably linked with this alcoholic drink. In our catalog you will find real French cognacs from famous houses that have earned the praise of the most strict and captious critics around the world. No alcohol collection will be considered complete if it does not contain at least one of them. Our prices, even for the most seasoned of them, are quite affordable.

On our website we have collected the best cognacs of France and other countries, including Armenia or Georgia, which deserve your attention. Among the images presented by us there are unique ones, with an unforgettable taste and aroma, like the famous one. They also have a special texture, due to which no other analogues can compare with them. Once you try one of them, you will not forget it and will not be able to confuse it with anything.

How the Dutch helped the French conquer the world

If the French have received the historical title of chic winemakers, then the Dutch can be called the most inventive and active merchants. And it was thanks to them and their ideas that the French learned how to make their own alcohol.

In the 16th century, the Dutch who sailed to Poitou-Charentes willingly traded in local salt and wines. But by this century there was an overproduction of wine, its quality fell, there was less alcohol in it, which made it difficult to transport it by sea for a long time. In order to maintain the quality of the wines and make more profit, the Dutch decided to install distillers in Poitou-Charentes, which made it possible to distill or distill and make the so-called "burnt wine", which later turned into. But the new product was not used just like that: it was distilled only for transportation, and diluted with clean water on the spot. According to their plan, this was to restore the properties of the original French wine to the drink.

The French saw this to their advantage. They adopted Dutch technologies, improved them and began to sell the distillate as an independent and ready-to-drink product, which turned out to be more intense than any of the wines, it had a stronger aroma. In addition, it was much more profitable to transport it. And when the Dutch merchants had to linger in the French port, having already loaded barrels with distillate on board, it turned out that aging in oak dishes was only good for the drink.

As a result of the confluence of all these circumstances, French cognac was born, which the Dutch traders carried to all the countries with which they traded. So the drink conquered the world.

Features of modern cognac production

Today, the boundaries of the region in which French cognac can be produced are clearly defined, and production is regulated by legislative acts and is strictly controlled. So, in the manufacturing process, the following grape varieties were usually used:

• montil;
• folle blanche;
• colombard and others.

But they are gradually being replaced with trebbiano grapes (aka uni blanc), which are more resistant to diseases and not so sensitive to changing weather conditions. Also, unlike the varieties listed above, it is not weakened by American rootstocks. 90% of all cognac in France is made from trebbiano.

Cognac is one of the oldest alcoholic beverages that appeared when humanity had just mastered the art of distilling alcohol. But the drink itself, with its endless playful facets of taste and the richest bouquet, was invented by the French. And it happened in the Aquitaine region (which includes the famous wine-producing city of Bordeaux), in the department of Charente, in the municipality of Cognac. For a long time, it was there that exquisite spirits were made, which, after assemblage and aging in barrels, delighted the hearts and stomachs of gourmets. And it is still believed that only French cognac, made in the department of the same name, can claim this title. All other drinks, no matter how accurately the manufacturers adhere to authentic technology, are called brandy. The French really appreciate their cognacs. And even those who prefer to drink wine rather than distillates readily visit the factories for the production of this drink. After all, it is very interesting to observe the process of cognac maturation, especially when the tour ends with a tasting. Near the city of Cognac there are about a thousand wine houses. The producers of this elite aged drink compete to achieve the highest quality of the product in order to attract a potential buyer. In this article, we will offer you a rating of French cognacs to acquaint you with the most appreciated brands. Not the last role in its compilation was played by the reviews of consumers and lovers of this drink.

How the ranking was made

Cognac has been produced in the Charente region since the eighteenth century. A number of wine houses have risen in its production and sale. And now more than two hundred and fifty different concerns are engaged in its production. How to understand which is the best French cognac? You can take as a criterion the volume of sales. In this case, the market leader, not only in France, but also in the world, is Hennessy. The concern produces fifty million bottles a year. But since this brand is very popular, its products are most often counterfeited. Because of a simple bottle of Hennessy, there is about as much counterfeit in the world as the original product. The French have great respect for a manufacturer with an ancient history. "Hennessy" has been produced since 1745 - a solid long-lived enterprise, isn't it? But more ancient wine houses have been preserved in Cognac. The oldest family, which from generation to generation has been producing an elite drink, is Martel. And if we put the price at the forefront when compiling the rating? What is the most expensive French cognac? In this case, the list will be headed by "Henry IV", made by the descendants of this king. A bottle of the drink was auctioned off for one million eight hundred and seventy five thousand US dollars. In fairness, it should be noted that half of the cost falls on the container, which is a masterpiece of jewelry art. The bottle is made of high-quality gold, decorated with various precious stones, including six and a half thousand diamonds. The drink, before being poured into such an exquisite vessel, matured in barrels for a hundred years.

House "Martel"

The French understand that good cognac cannot be cheap. But they also appreciate the traditions of the ancient winemakers. That is why, choosing French cognacs, they prefer brands of old houses. So, the most ancient roots of the enterprise "Martel". By the way, his Martell Creation Cognac In Handcarved Baccarat Decanter takes the sixth position in the top 10 most expensive cognacs in the world (seven thousand dollars). The founder of the wine house, John Martel, was not a Frenchman, but a native of Jersey. Having settled in Cognac at the beginning of the eighteenth century, he traded in all sorts of things. His star rose in 1726 when he married the daughter of a hereditary cognac master. The entrepreneurial spirit of Jean Martel and the experience of his father-in-law brought the distillery to a high level. At first, the products were supplied only to the UK. When the French cognac "Martel" won the glory of an elite drink there, sales increased. The house was the world market leader until the mid-nineties of the last century, until it was overtaken by Hennessy. But even now the company produces twenty-two million bottles a year, exporting cognac to one hundred and fifty countries of the world. Grapes from the Borderier region give Martel drinks a nutty flavor. The most common on the market is VS, which corresponds to our three stars, VSOP and Noblige. Reviews especially enthusiastically describe the gastronomic characteristics of Martel Cordon Blue (one hundred dollars per bottle). This brand appeared in 1912. The premium class in this house includes XO, Creation, Cohiba and L'Or de Jean Martel.

House "Remy Martin"

The concern, which grew out of a small family business, also boasts a history of almost three hundred years. In terms of sales, he overtook the "Martel" and is already breathing down the back of the head "Hennessy". Every year the company produces twenty-four million bottles. Cognac is exported to one hundred and sixty-five countries of the world. The company enjoys such prestige that the labels of the cheap segment do not even indicate the aging of French cognacs. The glory of the house was served by vineyards located in the very center of the region, on the best soils with a high content of chalk. This is Greater and Lesser Champagne. Must from grapes grown on Grand Cru chalky soils can be aged much longer, which positively affects the taste of the final drink. The house, named after its founder and known since 1724, manufactures products of various price segments. Reviews are extremely praiseworthy for the Rémy Martin V.S.O.P. Alcohols for this cognac are aged for at least four years. Noble drinks of impeccable quality are called Rémy Martin Grand Crue, Remy Martin XO Excellence, XO Special and Extra. The aging period of the last drink is at least thirty-five years. In the TOP 10 most expensive cognacs, the house holds the third position. This is the "Black Pearl of Louis XIII", sold for fifty-one and a half thousand dollars.

House "Hennessy"

This company, which claims to produce the best French cognac, was created, however, by an Irishman. Richard Hennessy left military service with King Louis XV and settled in the Charente region in 1765. He took up the production of cognac and succeeded. Unlike the first two houses, Hennessy is still run by direct descendants of Richard. This surname was the first to think of supplying cognac not in barrels, but in bottles, hoping (and in vain) that this would protect products from fakes. And Maurice Hennessy came up with the idea to use stars to classify cognacs by age. The French King Louis XVI, the Emperor of All Rus' Nicholas I and the British monarch George IV admired the drink. Especially for the last august person was made Hennessy V.S.O.P. The people's favorite was V.S. This "Hennessy" contains a blend of more than forty cognac spirits. The bouquet of the drink is characterized by the fact that after the first woody notes shades of hazelnut appear. Velvety taste plays with numerous nuances of vanilla and berries. Consumers highly appreciated the quality of the more expensive Hennessy cognacs: V.S.O.R., X.O., Privat Reserve, Paradis.

"Courvoisier"

This house can boast neither a history that goes back to the distant past, nor a terroir, nor its own cooper production. Everything, both raw materials and wooden containers, Courvoisier buys from small distilleries in the Cognac region. Why did we place the French cognac Courvoisier in fourth position? It is noteworthy that the history of the development of the company is closely connected with the imperial house of Bonopartes. There is a beautiful legend that after the Battle of Waterloo, the captive Napoleon tried to escape to America on a ship carrying Courvosier cognac. But, according to historical facts, the first batch of drinks appeared twenty years after the deposition of the great commander. However, the company began to flourish under Napoleon III, becoming the official supplier of the imperial court. To please His Majesty, the house invented more and more masterpieces of cognac art. And the efforts of winemakers were rewarded. Drinks that surpassed the highest categories of cognacs in their qualities were awarded the title of Courvoisier Le Cognac de Napoleon. Later, the imperial name began to serve as a kind of classifier. French cognac "Napoleon", whichever house it belongs to, is higher in quality than VS, VSOP, and sometimes XO. Things at the firm "Courvoisier" under the patronage of the imperial court were going well. She bought the rights to such brands as Comte Louis de Nave, Grandier, Royal Simbol, Carvalho and others. In the top 10 most expensive cognacs, Courvoisier products - L'Esprit Decanter - rank tenth. As those who have tried this drink (four and a half thousand dollars a bottle) say, it has a powerful taste with a soft velvety aftertaste and a delicate aroma of flowers, dried apricots and cinnamon.

"Gaultier"

Assessing French cognacs (brands and manufacturers), it is absolutely impossible to pass by this house. He is also one of the oldest in the department. The Gautier family received official permission to engage in the production of cognac from King Louis the Fifteenth himself in 1755. But the distillery was known in the first half of the eighteenth century. The distillates of this house are unique. While other cognacs are usually aged in dry rooms, the drinks from Gauthier mature in barrels, which are stored in damp cellars on an island in the middle of the river. This brand is quite popular in France, but it also exports its products to more than seventy countries around the world. Along with VS ordinary spirits, the house also produces premium cognacs. Reviews recommend trying the "Fisherman's Float", produced in a spherical bottle. Cognac VSOP is produced under the brand name "Ship's steering wheel". Valuable XO class distillate is poured into an elite bottle of Gold and Blue. A lot of flavors are contained in the dark amber drink "Pinar del Rio".

"Biscuit"

Cognac - French, and the creator - a native of Russia. Alexander Biscuit began his career in 1819. At first, the cognacs of this house were supplied mainly abroad - to the USA, Germany and Great Britain. The World Exhibition of Paris in 1889 was a turning point in the history of the company. Becoming a triumph in the cognac competition, "Biscuit" received worldwide recognition. At the end of the century, the house began to supply the court of Nicholas II with its drinks. But cooperation with the Russian monarchs was interrupted by the October Revolution of 1917. Then the house reoriented its business to the British court of George VI. Now the company's products have become more accessible to the average consumer. If you want to try French cognac from Bisquit, the reviews recommend the Bisquit XO brand. This is a strict and timeless classic of the company. To create CW, 30-35-year-old spirits are used. A dark amber drink with mahogany sparkles pleases gourmets with the taste of dried fruits and light floral shades. The rich bouquet of cognac is full of nuances. It reads sandalwood, saffron, almonds, walnuts, candied fruit, lime blossom, figs and honey.

"Camus"

Does French Camus cognac and existentialist writer Albert Camus have something in common? Most likely no. The writer's father only served as the caretaker of the wine cellars, but this was in Alsace, not in Cognac. But the company, founded in 1863 by Jean-Baptiste Camus, is still managed by the great-great-grandson of the creator. The quality of cognacs at home was also appreciated by Soviet bosses. Therefore, in 1959, the company acquired the exclusive right to supply its products beyond the "Iron Curtain" of the USSR. The house has not only vineyards with excellent terroir. He also set up his own production of barrels. But the main attention is paid to the cognac aging stage. This is supervised by a specialist called the cellar master. He is in charge of not only the temperature and humidity in the basement, but even the number of spiders - because they prevent damage to oak barrels by woodworms. Which Camus brands are worth paying attention to? Consumers praise the cheapest cognac at home - Camus VS. This is an assemblage of thirty spirits. Warm vanilla tones are heard in the taste of the drink, and the bouquet enchants with fruit and flower tones. VSOP from this house has a complex aroma of spices, oak wood and honey. Camus also has its own cognac Napoleon. In the bouquet of this premium class drink, you can hear notes of dried fruits and cedar bark, and woody tones are felt in a long and dry aftertaste.

Other good French cognacs: company names

Fortunately, the list of trustworthy homes goes on. It would be unforgivable, for example, not to mention Delamen's Pale and Dry XO. The house was founded in 1759 - according to the French, this alone speaks of the unsurpassed qualities of the drink. To the classification "Napoleon" belongs the brand "Special Cigars" of the company "Chateau de Montefo". The raw material for this drink is collected from the finest Fin Petit Champagne vineyards. Another French cognac, belonging to the class of "Napoleons", is produced by the house "A.E. Dor". And if you are a fan of the great emperor and commander, then you can buy a bottle in the shape of a bust of Bonaparte from the Brothers Godet. This house was founded at the beginning of the nineteenth century by immigrants from Holland. No less attention than figured containers is paid to cognac spirits, so the Napoleon drink has an unsurpassed taste and aroma. In France, the products of the Hardy, Chabasse, Croiset, Denis Charpentier, Edgar Leyre, Frapin and Gaston de Lagrange houses are always popular in France.

Cognac "French Standard"

Producers of other countries are tirelessly working on the quality of brandy in order to bring its quality closer to French. But Russian manufacturers went the other way. Do they buy brandy spirits from the four most elite regions of France? Grand and Petit Champagne, Le Borderies and Le Fin Bois. The grape varieties used in the creation of the drink are Union Blanc, Colombard and Folle Blanche. After five years of aging, the Russian cognac "French Standard" is born. Reviews note the rounded, velvety and deep taste of the drink, its sophisticated and rich bouquet. And the price is more than affordable for the average buyer - five hundred and sixty rubles per 0.5 liter.

Connoisseurs of strong alcohol know that one of the richest and most pleasant alcoholic drinks is cognac. A standing drink is worth looking for in its historical homeland, in France.

And it would be pointless to look elsewhere, since products (within the framework of trademark registration rules) produced outside of France, or rather its department of Charente, can only be called brandy.

The process of making French cognac begins with the preparation of white wine from certain grape varieties. When the wine is ready, it is double distilled and then placed in an oak barrel. After many years of aging, spirits from different regions and different ages are mixed. And so it turns out the same drink.

Three types of cognac

Since cognac is not at all cheap alcohol, for a successful purchase it is worth understanding its French brands, as well as classifications. In any case, in order to pick up something to your liking, you will need to try more than one manufacturer.

Three types of cognac can be distinguished:

• Ordinary (aged 3-5 years, the cheapest option)
• Vintage (aged 6 years, high-quality alcohol)
• Collection (aged 23 years, premium ingredients)

You can determine belonging to a particular species by labeling the bottle - for each of them an abbreviation in English was invented:

• V.S. – decoding “very special”. This means that the spirits have been aged for at least two years. Of course, the cost of such a drink will be the lowest. The average price is $30.
• S. stands for “special”. This cognac was aged for 3 years.
• S.O.P. – decoding “very superior old pale”. The holding period is 4 years.
• V.S.O.P. - decoding "very -very superior old pale". The holding period is 5 years. This cognac can be purchased for $55.
• X.O. - decoding "extra old" (or "Napoleon"). The exposure period is 6 years. The price for a bottle of such a drink can fluctuate around $ 120-130.
• There is no specific marking for collection bottles, since with the age of the drink it becomes more and more difficult to monitor its quality and taste properties. The cost will be appropriate.

Cognac is rightfully considered one of the most popular and noble strong alcoholic drinks. Its history originates in the French province of Aquitaine in the city that gave the drink its name.

It is no wonder that cognac brands from France produce the most famous brands of this elite alcohol. Therefore, in the article we have compiled a rating of the best cognac producers from the Fifth Republic.

Note: in the description of the taste and price of each brand, cognacs of the brand will be used VSOP in a 0.7 liter bottle.

Navigation

Without a doubt, the Henessy company is the most famous brand for the production of cognac. Moreover, this name has become synonymous with elite cognac. The history of this cognac house began in 1765, when its founder Richard Henessy moved to France from Ireland. He was familiar with whiskey production technology and decided to produce cognac using a similar algorithm.

Interesting fact. In the 19th century, during the cholera epidemic in England, it was believed that the use of Hennessy cognac had a disinfectant effect and prevented the disease.

Today, Hennessy is the best-selling cognac in the world, accounting for 46% of global sales. It was the Henessy company that created the classification of cognacs by aging, so XO, VSOP, VS and other designations appeared.

First of all, Hennessy is a balanced and harmonious cognac. The blend consists of sixty spirits, the exposure of which reaches fifteen years. The aroma of cognac is a multifaceted bouquet of scents, dominated by sandalwood and hazelnut. Dominants in taste are: ripe pear, honey and almonds.

For the original bottle of Hennessy, you will have to pay from four to five thousand rubles.

Cognac House Courvoisier originates 200 years ago in the Charente region. This brand is included in the so-called "big cognac four", which says a lot about its status.

Interesting fact. The famous connoisseur and collector of elite alcoholic beverages, the writer Charles Dickens, had more than 200 bottles of Courvoisier cognac in his collection.

A distinctive feature of the production of cognac of this company is its double aging. First, the drink is aged in young wood barrels, then blended and aged in old barrels.

When you open the bottle, you will find a delicate floral aroma and subtle tones of nuts and vanilla. The taste is dominated by oak, dried fruits, vanilla. The aftertaste is long and very pleasant, it notes a hint of apples and almonds.

The cost of one bottle of Courvoisier cognac is about 5 thousand rubles.

Remy Martin is the second largest cognac supplier in the world. The history of the brand originates from the Charente region, where the winemaker's son Remy Martin purchased vineyards and started his own business. He appreciated the advantages of long-term aging of brandy in time, which subsequently brought him considerable profit.

Interesting fact. Cognac Remy Martin has been a permanent partner of the Cannes Film Festival for 10 years.

The aroma of this brandy has several levels, including ripe fruits, fresh flowers and nuts. The taste of Remy Martin is dominated by fruity notes with hints of licorice and vanilla.

A bottle of Remy Martin cognac costs about 4,000 rubles.

In the line of drinks Remy Martin, Louis XIII cognac should be singled out, which is made from varieties of alcohol aged from 40 to a hundred years exclusively from the province of Grand Champagne.

This cognac has special tasting characteristics. The aroma initially reveals floral tones and gradually turns into notes of old port wine, cigars, saffron and curry. On the palate, shades of exotic fruits, immortelle and narcissus are felt.

The price of a bottle of this cognac with a century of aging exceeds 150 thousand rubles.

Cognac house Martel is one of the oldest producers of this drink in the world. Its history begins in the city of Cognac, where in 1715 a young Englishman, Jean Martel, opened the production of a new drink. Today, Martel is one of the largest market players, setting fashion and trends in the production of various varieties of cognac.

The aroma of cognac Martel is very multifaceted, it contains notes of dried fruits, woody shades, but the vanilla tone is dominant. The taste of the drink is very delicate and soft, and a pleasant aftertaste makes it a favorite cognac among the fairer sex.

You can buy a bottle of Martel cognac for about four thousand rubles.

Cognac Hine is not very well known to a wide range of consumers, as this brand relies on the exclusivity of the product. It is achieved through strict adherence to a set of rules for the production of a drink. It is aged several times in various barrels, and before bottling, they are pre-rinsed with ready-made cognac.

Interesting fact. Hine is the only cognac that has received the right to become a supplier of the British royal court. He received this privilege in 1962 and successfully confirms it every five years.

The aroma of cognac is dominated by fruity aromas, similar to white wines. This is achieved through the use of grapes from the Charente region. The taste of Hine is characterized by similarities with fresh melon and sweet nectarine.

For one bottle of this drink, you will have to pay about four thousand rubles.

The cognac house of Camus is the largest independent family business in this field. The history of Camus dates back 150 years and unites the love of the Camus family for this drink. The brand owns about 20 hectares of vineyards and five cognac bottling lines, which allows you to feel confident in the market.

Interesting fact. The first cognac house to open retail stores in China.

Floral and mineral notes predominate in the bouquet of Camus cognac. The palate is distinguished by the sweetness of peach, milk chocolate, brown sugar and the tartness of orange peel.

A bottle of Camus cognac costs about three and a half thousand rubles.

This cognac is one of the most famous and recognizable in the world. Its history begins in the heart of the birthplace of the drink - the city of Cognac. A distinctive feature of this brand is the use of white grapes, which makes the drink less alcoholic, but more acidic.

Interesting fact. The creator of the cognac house, Baron Jean-Baptiste Otard, was the mayor of the city of Cognac for almost 20 years.

The aroma of cognac is distinguished by the smells of tobacco, pepper and linden. The taste gives notes of citrus and vanilla. The finish is long and very pleasant.

The price of one bottle of Baron Otard cognac reaches six thousand rubles.

Unlike other major cognac brands, the founders of which were strong charismatic personalities, the Frapin house was formed by the family of the same name, leading the pedigree from the beginning of the 12th century. Today this brand is the largest cognac producer in Champagne.

The taste of cognac distinguishes woody notes, prunes and other dried fruits, as well as vanilla. The aroma is rich and dense, but at the same time simple.

To purchase one bottle of Frapin cognac, you will have to pay from four to five thousand rubles.

Other cognacs from the Grande Champagne region

This area is part of the region of the province of Cognac. In addition to the above cognac houses, many other interesting brands are based here. These are both relatively massive and quite exclusive companies, but they all produce good cognac, which is worth a try.

Every true lover of strong drinks knows that the best of them is cognac. A real elite cognac is made only in France. Drinks from other countries, on the bottles of which the same name appears, are not cognac. They are classified as brandy. What distinguishes French alcohol from the rest?

There are many legends about this drink. According to one of them, the winemaker Chevalier Jacques de La Croix was the first to prepare the drink. One night, he dreamed that the devil appeared behind him, lowered his soul into the underworld and threw it into a boiling cauldron.

Boiling in the cauldron did not harm the nobleman's soul in any way, and the Lord of Darkness threw him into the second cauldron. The next morning, inspired by a dream, Jacques decided to try double boiling method.

The winemaker partially drank the resulting drink with the guests, and hid one barrel for a future celebration. Six months later, opening the barrel, Jacques found that half of the drink had evaporated, and the rest struck him with an amazing taste.

It is difficult to judge how true this legend is. Professional historians claim that the drink appeared in the 17th century after the advent of double alcohol distillation technology. It is noteworthy that since then the method of obtaining real cognac has changed little.

Modern cooking technologies

To protect the drink, which can rightfully be considered a national treasure, the French organized a special professional institute for quality control - the National Interprofessional Cognac Bureau.

According to the established rules, to obtain a real elite drink, you must use only the following grape varieties: uni blanc, folle blanche and charentes colombard. These three components make up a large proportion of the composition of the drink, and for the rest of the volume, perhaps the addition of grapes: semillon, sauvignon, select, blanc rame or zhuranson blanc.

Modern distillation equipment is almost indistinguishable from the old one used a few centuries ago. It's all the same copper stills, the only difference of which is an alcohol meter. It is no coincidence that copper is used in devices. This metal does not oxidize and can withstand high temperatures.

Process two-stage distillation consists in the following: first, alcohol and essential components are obtained from wine, then they are separated from each other. Cognac alcohol is formed only from the middle distillate, since the former is too saturated with essential substances, and the latter has an unsuitable strength. On average, it takes 10 liters of wine to make one liter of wine.

Real cognac aged only in oak barrels, and the age of the tree must be at least 150 years. The tree is split into boards in this way - the fibers must remain intact, then dried in the sun for up to 5 years so that the alcohol does not taste bitter.

Freshly prepared alcohol is first placed in new barrels, and after a few months in older ones. During maturation, cognac alcohol absorbs pigments, tannins, polyphenols and other substances from the wood.

At different stages of aging, the drink filled with different flavors. In the first year, cognac acquires a light brown hue. After 4 years, fruit and vanilla notes appear in its aroma, the taste becomes velvety.

After ten years of aging, shades of honey and the smell of leather appear in the taste of cognac. If maturation occurs before 20 years, the drink has rich aftertaste and bright amber color. Longer than this period, storing the drink in barrels does not make much sense. It is bottled, in which it stops the aging process.

French cognac selection

All people, of course, have different tastes, so the choice of the best cognac drink for you should be based on personal experience. Usually the choice depends on the manufacturer and brand of French cognac, its aging period.

And not the last role in the choice is played by the price of French cognac, which is also due to various factors. The labeling of the rating and the top exposure time is as follows:

• Ø V. S., Selection or Trois Etoiles - at least 2 years old;
• Ø Superior - at least 3 years;
• Ø V. S.O.P., V. O., Reserve, Vieux - at least 4 years;
• Ø V.V.S.O.P., Grande Reserve - at least 5 years;
• Ø X. O., Napoleon, Extra, Royal - 6 years or more.

The best brands of France - the names of elite French brandies

In addition, the legendary cognac houses produce alcohol of impeccable taste and quality. The most famous brands and the best cognacs in the world include French cognacs:

1. Delamain. The best cognac in the world is produced under this brand. The brand is not exchanged for drinks aged 7–10 years. The youngest cognac Delamain is 25 years old. As the owner of the house says, he is not interested in cooperation with popular clubs and restaurants. The main consumers of this brand are sophisticated connoisseurs. In the cellars of the cognac house there are samples of spirits dating back to the 1840s.
2. Hennessy. This is one of the most popular and well-known French brands. It was founded back in 1765, and thirty years later began deliveries to the United States. This brandy has earned the title of one of the most elite. It is second only to the house of Delamain. Today, Hennessy is part of the Louis Vuitton holding, which specializes in the creation of luxury goods. It is this brand that owns the idea of ​​classifying the aging of cognac drinks according to “asterisks”.
3. Chateau de Montifaud. This cognac house appeared even earlier than the popular Hennessy. Its founder, Augustine Perrier, bought vineyards in 1837 and began the process of distilling cognac spirits. The main feature of this brand is careful control at all stages of production. In addition, before bottling the drink, each bottle is treated with purified water with cognac, which betrays a special aroma.
4. Camus. Elite French cognac. The creator of the Camus house not only glorified the drink all over the world, but also organized an association of winemakers to control the quality. Today this drink is popular all over the world and often falls into the ranking of the best cognacs.

Elite cognac houses in France, of course, produce products of excellent quality. But the price of such cognac very high. How to choose a good cognac in the middle price range?

Good cognac of less elite brands is easy to find on store shelves. Usually these drinks are classified as V.S.O.P, that is, they are about 5 years old. The most notable brand is Gautier. Its bouquet uses several high-aged spirits at once. The drink has a deep fruity taste and aroma, dark amber color.

Kazumian has an eight-year exposure and is distinguished by aromas of chocolate, woody notes, tart taste. Another popular brand is Cognac Davidoff Classic. Its composition includes more than 40 alcohols. This cognac drink has a strong aftertaste and rich color. Excellent as an addition to cigars of the same manufacturer.

How to distinguish a fake

French cognacs are trying to fake most often. How to recognize a fake drink?

Price and place of purchase. First of all, you need to buy such drinks in specialized stores and large supermarkets. In such places, managers take a responsible approach to the choice of suppliers and the risk of running into a bad product is much lower.

In addition, before buying, it is important to know approximately the cost of a drink and not chase cheapness. A drink that takes so long to produce cannot be very cheap.

Appearance. Many manufacturers themselves are trying in every possible way to protect the consumer from counterfeiting. Bottles have special designations and markings. The label clearly gives information about the place of production and the exposure time. The label is not blurred, glued evenly and firmly to the container.

Eye check. It is worth turning the bottle in your hand, checking it for light. If the color of the cognac drink is from light to dark amber, most likely the product is good. In addition, the liquid should be slightly oily and flow smoothly from the walls of the container.

The smell of the drink. If, after opening the bottle, a sharp chemical smell hit your nose, it is better not to drink such cognac. Real alcohol has the aroma of dried fruits, vanilla, wood, leather and chocolate. Pleasant and durable.

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