A snack of cognac from the French. Cognac tasting rules

A noble drink, and that is exactly what it is, has much in common with noble stones. What kind of metal should surround a precious stone so that it sparkles with all the rays of light? Silver, gold, platinum. What is the right way to eat according to etiquette so that he can convey all his taste and aroma components? And the rules of etiquette will tell you that you don’t need a good snack.

Cognac does not like noise and fuss. This drink from the bouquet of pleasures is used as the final point of a good feast. Inhaling the aroma of all herbs, fruits and the air in which the grapes that became cognac grew, you can sit with one crystal snifter for a long time.

After a plentiful feast, a good option is a cup of aromatic coffee. Coffee is followed by cognac warmed up in the hands, which must first be taken for aroma, and then sipped, restraining oneself from the deafening delight of aroma and taste. Do not repeat the beaten recipe with a fragrant cigar. In many ways, this is redundant. A bittersweet dark chocolate bar will be more pleasant.

But the rules of etiquette are not always observed, and even good aged cognac is drunk. They drink in one gulp, like vodka, having a bite to everyone, without experiencing any feelings, as after vodka. For such "connoisseurs" of cognac, a way out was invented - a snack.

It should not have a strong smell and taste. More often these are neighbors of grapes - pears, apples, apricots, berries. Fresh, well-ripened peaches are best. A small sip of cognac should not immediately fall into the womb. He must give to the receptors everything that has accumulated in him for so many years. And only then you can add a piece of fragrant peach, which will create a resonance of taste.

But cognac also tolerates an appetizer of hard cheese. Mozzarella, gouda, or another hard variety with tender properties will do. Exquisite seafood - mussels or oysters - is successfully woven into this palette of taste features.

It is unacceptable to serve cognac with one snack. It should suit the taste preferences of each participant in the feast. It's hard, but those are the rules. Not everyone likes to snack on cheese or scallops. Even salmon does not enjoy impeccable authority. But often the dispute is resolved by the inclusion of olives. They become a link in taste between cognac and seafood.

If this form of snack is not enough, then you will have to cook veal or poultry meat. But it will no longer be a dessert, but an ordinary feast in which cognac will be the main participant. The meat should not be oversaturated with spices, which will completely beat off all the fragrance of the drink. It is better to undersalt it and serve it at a temperature close to the temperature of cognac.

It is not customary to cool cognac and bring it to such a state in which vodka, for example, ceases to scare away with its indestructible smell and taste. Cognac is stored in a warm place and uncorked just before the feast. This time should not be more than 20 - 30 minutes.

A common sliced ​​lemon needs to drown out the sharp taste and smell as much as possible. It is covered with powdered sugar, chocolate or well-ground coffee. Lemon can be called one of the most unsuitable fruits served with cognac. This is a strange tradition. It can be caramelized, then its properties will become more tolerable, but the whole problem will not be solved.

In the absence of fresh fruit, candied fruits can be used. Pears and apples are especially pleasant with cognac. But they are harvested during the ripening period, preserved and served at the table where they are perceived. For harvesting, choose the most fragrant varieties. Sometimes candied apples and pears are mixed. By adding dark dark chocolate to the mix, they get a delicate aroma and inimitable taste, which very well supports the aftertaste of cognac.

Paradoxically, in a country where strong alcohol is consumed in fairly large quantities, the culture of tasting them remains at a low level. Everyone knows what they eat, but how to do it right and what drinks are appropriate to serve with it is worth figuring out.

The better to eat cognac

Connoisseurs and gourmets who have the opportunity to consume high quality cognac believe that eating this drink is blasphemy. The best appetizer for cognac is its absence. After all, almost any dish with which a drink is eaten affects the taste buds and simply clogs the taste of the drink. And since aftertaste is highly valued in good quality cognac, it makes sense to keep it, and not to kill it. The French, after a glass of Martell or Hennessy, traditionally allow only smoking a good cigar, but not culinary products.

However, in the post-Soviet space, the tradition of snacking on this drink has steadily taken root. Everyone here knows the better to eat cognac - a lemon or a slice of cheese. And, since Russian-speaking consumers do not know another way to use it, it’s worth figuring out what they eat with cognac where it was created. The French prefer to serve pate and chocolate for the feast. These products do not interfere with the taste bouquet of drinks that have been aged for more than 10 years. Less aged can be served with hard cheeses, seafood, olives, fruits.

Light snacks in a hurry

If a feast is expected, preference should be given to snacks for cognac in a hurry. It is suitable for light dishes that do not create heaviness and do not leave a long aftertaste. From meat dishes, lean meats served in the form of a pate or slices are appropriate. One of the common options is canapes or tartlets (possible with caviar), feta cheese mixed with herbs, mixtures based on nuts and honey are also suitable. A combination with oysters or mussels, scallops or squid will be especially piquant.

To the question of what to eat cognac according to etiquette, the answer is simple: chocolate, nuts, olives and cheeses. If the jamming of a drink with any product is provided for in the traditions of the event at which the tasting takes place, then it is best to prefer these dishes. Expensive restaurants often serve honey in bowls, nuts, sliced ​​apples and grapes. However, the answer to the question of what to eat cognac correctly, provided that an expensive aged drink is served, remains unambiguous - nothing. To preserve the precious aftertaste and set it off, it is only appropriate to light the cigar.

The better to drink cognac

And what to eat is an interesting question. Firstly, this alcohol is not so much drunk (to get drunk), but sipped (to enjoy). It is worth saying what they drink cognac with and what they eat in his homeland, in France. The French, who know a lot about drinking a noble drink, often serve brandy with a cup of good coffee. Moreover, coffee should not be drunk after drinking alcohol, but immediately before it. This sequence helps to best reveal the taste of good aged alcohol.

There are situations when mineral water is served with a drink. But this option is appropriate when a tasting of several varieties is provided and there is a need to refresh the taste buds between tasting sessions.

Otherwise, fruit juice can be served, preferably from white grapes. The main condition is that the juice should contain a small amount of sugar, that is, not be sweet. You can serve apple, pomegranate, pear juice, or their blend with grape. Win those who do not know what is served with cognac for a snack, because. at best, nothing. At worst, nuts, cheese and chocolate.

How to choose the right cognac

It’s clear which appetizer goes with cognac, but choosing a quality product is not so easy. The main criterion for the benchmark is the cost. It is clear that the place of purchase must be appropriate. Expensive aged alcohol is rarely sold in small grocery stores and even in large supermarket chains. You should rather look for it in large alcohol stores or stores specializing in the sale of alcohol. Cognac is often faked, hoping that the average consumer can hardly distinguish expensive alcohol from a fake in design.

It is important to pay attention to the price. An aged product at a low price should alert. Do not ignore the way it is designed. A well-designed label, a tight-fitting lid, and possibly gift wrapping are good signs. To ensure the quality of exposure, the bottle can be turned upside down. Pay attention to how the drops flow down from the bottom of the bottle. Drops that fall heavily and slowly indicate good exposure, while rapidly flowing liquid indicates poor exposure.

What not to serve with cognac

There is a small list of products that are inappropriate to serve with expensive alcohol. An appetizer for cognac should not be cheap and rough. Budget products such as crab sticks, low-quality cheeses, river fish are unacceptable. The drink is not too harmoniously combined with noble fish. Shellfish would be a much better option. To serve or not to serve lemon is a moot point. Many are so accustomed to it at any feast that they cannot imagine drinking strong drinks without such an appetizer.

If fruits are served, then a simple rule is observed: for an alcoholic product produced in a cold climate, appropriate fruits and berries should be served - strawberries, apples, grapes, or pears, for alcohol produced in a hot climate, citrus fruits, figs, peaches are suitable. You should not serve at the table, where expensive alcoholic drinks are offered for tasting, such products as fatty meats, sausage, cream confectionery. It is inappropriate to put sweet soda and cheap wines on such a table.

Cognac should not be drunk, it should be enjoyed. It is not customary to drink it in one gulp, so true connoisseurs of the drink believe that the best snack for it is a fireplace and cigars.

Drink for a quiet conversation

You can not feel the whole bouquet and taste of this exquisite drink if you drink it with a meal. As a rule, cognac is served after lunch or dinner, before serving coffee. The drink is drunk unchilled, in a small brandy glass.

Or a spherical glass. Thin transparent glass allows you to admire the golden color of the drink, and the glass narrowed upwards keeps its wonderful aroma. To understand the real charm of this special drink, you need to know how to drink brandy. It is drunk in a calm atmosphere, and it is absolutely not intended for crowded anniversaries and noisy holidays.

Cognac - gourmet drink

According to the French - true connoisseurs of this drink - it is completely optional to have a bite of cognac. But if you have to choose what to eat cognac, then it is better to stop at desserts: cheeses, chocolate, vanilla ice cream, fresh and dry fruits. Some salads, meat dishes with special, savory sauces, omelettes and pâtés are also suitable. A classic appetizer for cognac is lobster, smoked salmon or caviar. For example, for the French, eating a glass of cognac with chocolate-covered truffles or a sweet pie is a sacred thing.

"Elixir of the Gods" for Russians

What is cognac snacked on in Russia? We usually eat it with lemon. It is believed that Nicholas II introduced this tradition. However, tasters say that you can’t imagine the worst combination of cognac and lemon, because the lemon “sourness” does not allow the drink to fully open up. The bright taste of lemon is able to kill the taste and smell of cognac, which the drink has accumulated over the years.

Menu for true connoisseurs

When compiling the menu for the evening, every housewife should remember what brandy is eaten with.

As an appetizer, you can offer pates. Rabbit pate is considered especially successful.

You can put hard cheeses on the table. For example, true gourmets eat a drink with cheese and honey, dropping pieces of cheese into a dish with warmed honey.

From the second courses, you can put lean meat on the table, preferably veal, and poultry.

Seafood - that's what cognac eats in any country. It can be oysters or scallops, salted salmon or red caviar.

It turned out that cognac perfectly harmonizes with exotic Chinese cuisine.

An amazing combination of coffee and cognac. Two fragrances shade and emphasize each other.

Nuts can also be a good snack for cognac.

How they drink and what they eat cognac

To learn how to drink cognac correctly, it is not necessary to be a professional taster, you just need to remember some tips given by the French - true fans of this exquisite drink.

Often a glass of cognac is served before a glass of coffee and a cigar, which is smoked after. The rule of these three pleasures: coffee, cognac and cigar - is suitable only when it is supposed to drink no more than 100 grams of the drink. During feasts, it is advisable to offer more substantial snacks.

Wash down this strong drink with mineral water or fresh juice of light grape varieties.

They drink it in small sips, after warming up a glass of cognac in their palms. And remember, a true connoisseur will first appreciate the color, and then only the taste of the drink.

Cognac It is an alcoholic drink with a strong taste. It is generally accepted that he first appeared in France. Usually confident men drink cognac. It is not customary to seize it with anything, as they need to be fully enjoyed. But, for many people, this is not possible. Therefore, it is worth figuring out what cognac is snacking on?

Classic appetizer for cognac

There is a wide list of various snacks to cognac. They are consumed together with cognac in different countries, depending on the taste preferences of each person.

• The most common snack for elite alcohol is chocolate. It is advisable to choose a bitter confection, as it will not interrupt the taste of the drink itself;
• In many Russian restaurants, cognac is served with tartlets or mini sandwiches. Caviar or liver pate is used as a filling;
• An expensive and elite drink is combined with fruits only if they are ripe and juicy. For example, apples, grapes and all citrus varieties;
• Meat is ideal for almost every wine product as an appetizer. You can cook dishes from lamb, game, poultry and veal;
• Cheese will give brandy an unusual taste; you can also use a different grade of this product for slicing;
• Alcohol is combined with other drinks, such as coffee, grape juice or mineral water;
• Cognac is also combined with seafood: oysters, mussels, scallops.

Only true gourmets have a negative attitude towards any kind of snack, they enjoy every sip of this excellent wine product and try to keep this aftertaste in their memory.

What to do so that the snack does not interrupt the taste?

Exists 5 easy recipes for snacks for brandy.

1. Meat dishes accepted undersalt. It is desirable that during the meal a person does not feel sharpness. Also, the snack should not be too fatty and “heavy”, otherwise you will not be able to fully enjoy this drink;
2. When choosing fruits, it is worth considering cognac variety. It is desirable that they grow in those parts where the drink was invented. For example, if it was created in countries whose climate is close to Russia, then apples, grapes, pears or strawberries should be preferred;
3. When choosing juice, you need to pay attention to the sugar content in it - the less, the better. The best option is freshly squeezed juice from white grapes;
4. Seafood should be as fresh and properly prepared as possible;
5. Sandwiches and tartlets do not need to be further processed (fried, baked) and salted.

Cognac is the drink that is served at the table on a special occasion. Therefore, it is important to take care of the beautiful serving of dishes in advance.

It is also necessary to take into account the tastes of guests and select appropriate products.

How to drink brandy?

In addition to the right choice of snacks, it is worth remembering that how to drink cognac:

• The drink must be pre-cooled by placing it on the window or in the refrigerator. Too cold and warm cognac can cause dizziness;
• You need to drink alcohol only from special glasses;
• A distinctive feature of wine and cognac from vodka is that they do not drink it in one gulp. It is customary to take a small sip in your mouth, close your eyes and enjoy the wonderful taste;
• Elite cognac is best stored in a special bar or cabinet, which has the optimum temperature;
• To get the maximum pleasure from the drink, you must first drink a cup of coffee and smoke a Cuban cigar;
• Serve it only in a beautiful decanter. It is desirable that it be made of crystal;
• Dishes with a strong smell should not be allowed on the table, as they can interrupt the taste of alcohol and prevent guests from smelling this attractive smell.

The combination of a properly selected snack and the use of cognac according to all the main "laws" will allow you to fully enjoy it. However, do not forget about the correct choice of alcohol at the time of purchase.

How to choose the right cognac?

The number of scammers is on the rise. Therefore, there is a risk of buying low quality alcohol at a high price. It is required to remember a few basic rules that will help distinguish the original from the fake:

• First of all, you need to decide where to buy a wine product. The lowest prices on the internet. On the official websites of virtual stores there is a wide selection of a wide variety of drinks. But, you should not trust such manufacturers, as there is a risk of acquiring fake or diluted alcohol. It is better to buy alcohol in specialized stores that sell wine products. In both cases, it is necessary to read the reviews about the enterprise and ask where the products were brought from;
• It is required to pay attention to where the alcohol was produced. It is desirable that this place be France or Armenia;
• A high-quality drink can be recognized by an unusual bottle. Usually, manufacturers use containers of original forms;
• It is worth making sure that the alcohol has been aged, it is desirable that this figure exceeds 6.5 years. You can recognize such a product by marking "KV";
• There is one old trick: if a fingerprint is clearly visible through a glass, then this indicates its high quality;
• If the plume of the drink flows down the walls of the dish in a very short time (less than 5 seconds), then this indicates that the cognac is quite young;
• If it flows down the glass for more than one minute, then this indicates that the alcohol has been aged for more than 20 years.

How to drink cognac with cola?

Representatives of the beautiful half of humanity also enjoy the amazing taste of cognac.

But, they prefer to dilute the liquor with carbonated drinks, for example cola. There are several features of obtaining this cocktail:

• Good taste can be obtained with the same ratio of the two components;
• First, a non-alcoholic drink is poured - cola, and alcohol itself is already added to it;
• If the cocktail will be consumed throughout the evening, then you should lower the degree by adding it not 50% cola, but three quarters;
• If the taste of the cocktail turned out to be unpleasant, then you can add a piece of ice and a small amount of lemon juice to it, or a whole slice of lemon.

Wine with cola is not required as a snack, such a cocktail can be used as the main drink at a party.

Cognac cocktail with coffee

If you need to create an alcoholic cocktail with an exquisite taste, then you can mix coffee with cognac. This will require:

• Pour a small amount of coffee into a glass and evenly distribute it over the surface of the entire bottom;
• Top with a few teaspoons of cognac;
• Next, add another spoonful of coffee and fill the glass with cognac completely;
• Let the drink brew for a while;
• Strain it through a sieve.

Cognac is not just alcohol, it is a real masterpiece for gourmets. It is used on holidays, special occasions and just to cheer up. Therefore, you should familiarize yourself with how to drink properly and what brandy has to eat.

Cognac appetizer video

15.11.2017 Sommelier Dmitry Bychkov 0

How to drink cognac and what to eat

A bottle of expensive and high-quality cognac will perfectly complement the festive table of a real men's company. The noble drink has a unique spicy aroma, mild or, conversely, a sharp burning taste, vanilla, floral and fruit and berry notes of the bouquet, as well as a unique aftertaste, which indicates aging and the correct production technology.

To appreciate all the superiority and individuality of strong alcohol, you should learn how to drink and eat cognac correctly. This will make it possible to successfully conduct business negotiations, have a pleasant evening with friends and not spoil the impression of yourself in the eyes of a sophisticated cultural society.

Avoiding the purchase of low-quality products, in recent years, it becomes quite difficult. Counterfeiting companies try to make the fake as close to the original as possible. Even labels with the names of the popular "Hennessy", "Remy Martin" or "Armenia" do not guarantee the presence of elite alcohol inside a decorative bottle.

1. V.S. or Very Special, Trois Etoiles, Selection, de Luxe - more than 2 years;
2. Superior - older than 3 years;
3. V.S.O.P. or Very Superior Old Pale - from 4 years old;
4. V.V.S.O.P. or Grande Reserve, Very Very Superior Old Pale - at least 5 years;
5. X.O. or Extra Old, Napolneon. Stored from 6 years.

This classification was developed in France, the birthplace of the famous brandy. Within the post-Soviet space, cognac is, first of all, ordinary. A star is assigned to each year of aging. They can be from 3 to 5 on the label. This includes the Armenian "Ararat" and "Arvest".

By analogy with the Western quality assessment, the following names correspond to vintage cognac:

1. aged more than 6 years - KV;
2. over 8 years - KVVK;
3. 10 year old - KS;
4. over 12 years old - OS.

The oldest is the collection cognac. His age is at least 23 years old. Sold only in specialized stores at a very high price.

You can choose brandy following the same principles. For example, apple or pear Calvados, cherry Kirschwasser, Eau de vie from peaches and apricots, Metaxa and Armagnac based on white grapes.

What is etiquette cognac snacking on

The requirements for expensive alcohol are much higher than, for example, for home-made moonshine or intoxicated beer. You can not drink it from a flask or bottle.

Therefore, along with the main provisions of the feast, there are also rules of etiquette in relation to cognac:

• the temperature is not higher than 20-25 ° C. Cold cognac cannot be felt. With excessive heating, aromatic substances quickly disappear, and the bouquet and taste are smeared;
• cognac is poured into a glass with a wide bottom and a narrow top, "snifter". This design enhances the release of cognac spirit under the influence of heat emanating from the hand, and keeps it within a spherical glass vessel with a volume of 180-240 ml. Filled in ¼ part. In some cases, when only alcohol is offered, it is allowed to drink cognac from a glass of vodka;
• serve as an aperitif on a coffee table. Cognac of low or medium exposure can be diluted with a small amount of champagne or martini, added to coffee;
• as a digestif, cognac products serve as the final stage of the meal, consumed after food and wine.

Taking a glass in your hands, do not rush. Drinking cognac correctly is an art. Study the color carefully. It can range from a light, almost straw-colored tint to a rich bronze caramel tone, but the consistency should remain clear.

Tilt the glass 45° and watch how quickly the liquid falls down the side of the glass vessel. The slower this happens, the longer the exposure of cognac. Treat every sip like a tasting.

A classic French appetizer for cognac, which will allow you to fully feel the range of shades and taste accompaniment, is the exact sequence of strong coffee, a small sip of amber spirits, a tart cigar and dark chocolate. In order not to spoil the perception of the aftertaste, use fruits, red, black caviar, you can drink mineral water.

The better to eat cognac

Since cognac is a rather expensive type of alcohol, its serving requires appropriate decoration and occasion. Below we consider what, according to the French, should be the ideal appetizer for cognac:

• mozzarella, marble or blue cheese "Dorblu";
• scallops, mussels, caviar;
• olives;
• goose or chicken pate;
• rabbit or veal meat;
• cocoa-based confectionery, nut soufflé, chocolate mousse;
• fruits;
• nuts.

It is better to drink strong alcohol with nectar from apples and oranges, sparkling water.

Light snacks for cognac in a hurry

Very often, unexpected visits from guests lead the hosts into confusion. You shouldn't worry. Host a small buffet. Using quick and easy recipes in a hurry, the delicious appetizer you have prepared is perfect for any cognac.

Distribute beautiful fruit and berry slices on a plate. Use grapes, pears, apples, cherries, or melons. Add a touch of exotic with pineapple or pomegranate.

Cognac is eaten with hard cheese or cheese, walnuts, cashews, peanuts or almonds, which are dipped in warmed honey.

It doesn't take long to make chocolate fondue. On a steam bath, melt 250 grams of chocolate.

Additional Ingredients:

• cream - 100 grams;
• liquor - 2-3 teaspoons.

Thread banana slices, strawberries or orange slices onto skewers or toothpicks.

What to do so that the snack does not interrupt the taste

The habit of eating cognac with lemon and salt prevents you from revealing the true value of noble alcohol. This tradition dates back to the time of Nicholas I. The Russian emperor preferred that each strong liquor was accompanied by a savory dish, which later received the name "Nikolashka".

For cooking, they took a lemon slice, which was sprinkled with powdered sugar, crushed coffee beans or chocolate chips, and red, black caviar was placed on top. Citruses distort both the sense of smell and the quality of alcohol, so avoid them.

In order not to interrupt the smell and improve the taste, remember that cognac does not combine with canned food, marinades, sauerkraut. A high concentration of salt and vinegar will not only spoil the taste, but also provoke an attack of gastritis, inflammation of the pancreas, and pancreatitis. Such nutrition is also dangerous for hypertension.

Fatty meat and mushrooms with strong alcohol put a great strain on the digestive organs, kidneys and liver, and increase the state of intoxication.

Herring is best served with vodka. The peculiar aroma and taste of river fish will not give you the opportunity to feel the whiskey.

How to drink cognac with cola and other cocktails

If you decide to have a small party at home, consider that not everyone likes strong alcohol. For those who love the classics, you can mix cognac with cola in a 1: 1 ratio.

Cuban brandy

• brandy or cognac - 50 grams;
• ice - 3-4 cubes;
• pepsi - 30 grams;
• lime juice - 20 grams.

Everything is thoroughly mixed. The decoration is half a slice of citrus on the wall of the glass.

Youth

The low-alcohol cocktail Molodist is considered less strong and very high-calorie. Its composition will cost more than in previous recipes:

• quail eggs - 2 pieces;
• Pepsi - 120 ml;
• cognac - 20 ml;
• lime slice;
• mint;
• sugar - 25 mg;
• mineral water - 20 ml.

All components are mixed. Soda should be added just before serving. With the help of a leaf of mint and citrus, an external design is made.

Cognac cocktail with coffee

To remove a severe hangover in the morning or increase low blood pressure for hypotensive patients, low-alcohol tonic drinks based on cognac will help. The traditional option is brewed ground coffee beans in a Turk and cold alcohol. Temperature contrast will quickly invigorate and improve well-being.

The “Salty” drink has an unusual range of shades. In pre-prepared instant coffee, you need to add a pinch of salt, 1 teaspoon of alcohol.

Cognac cocktail with the addition of milk has a refined and mild taste. To feel like a real aristocrat, prepare the ingredients:

• chicory and cognac - 2 teaspoons each;
• cinnamon - a pinch;
• cream - 3 tablespoons;
• glass of water.

We throw all the components into boiling water, insist about 2-3 minutes. Dairy products are added at the end.

The original coffee with Viennese cognac is prepared in several stages. Make sure you have all the ingredients:

• ground coffee beans and cinnamon - a teaspoon each;
• boiled water - 100 ml;
• spicy cloves - 1-2 pieces;
• refined sugar - 1-2 cubes;
• lemon peel.

First, brew coffee over low heat, bring to a boil. In a separate bowl, grind the cinnamon and cloves, sugar and zest. Fill with cognac and set on fire. The resulting composition is mixed with a ready-made coffee drink, filtered.

You should not get carried away with the rich and rich taste of the drink. In small doses, which do not exceed 50 grams per day, it is useful to drink cognac. It treats colds, coughs and sore throats, relieves inflammation of the gums and reduces toothache.

A small glass at dinner will ensure a restful sleep, but with diseases of the nervous system, like Parkinson's syndrome and epilepsy, alcohol is generally prohibited. With extreme caution and only after the approval of the attending physician, it is allowed to use strong alcohol for hypertensive patients, heart patients and persons after a stroke. Ethyl alcohol dilates blood vessels, increases blood circulation, but can provoke arrhythmias. It is harmful to drink cognac for people with diabetes. The high calorie content of strong alcohol causes a violation of the absorption of glucose and a lack of insulin production. You can not brandy and women with polycystic, as this is the cause of an increase in the amount of male hormones and improper functioning of the ovaries.