Now it is possible to choose alcoholic drink on any purse and taste. Cognac was and remains one of the most popular hard liquors, to choose it quite simply, the main factors are the endurance and the region.
Domestic classification of cognacs
Grades and types of this drink are distinguished on alcohol liquids on which cognac is based. In the domestic industry the following classification is accepted: sustained from three and to toe years call ordinary, the sustained over six years — branded. Young ordinary cognacs are marked by a habitual stars. On packing there can be from three to five stars which are directly connected with endurance term. Branded cognacs are divided into several subspecies — the matured cognac (six-seven years), the matured cognac of the superior quality (eight-ten years), old cognac (it is more than ten years), very old cognac and cognac collection (here the endurance can reach also up to fifty years).
French method
The French producers differ absolutely in other approach to production of cognac. Actually, the word "cognac" has the right to be called only that drink which is made of the grapes which are grown up in the concrete area. The French exercise strict control and standardization of all types of this drink. Distinguish cognac on inscriptions on labels. The endurance is marked not less than two and a half years by means of the letters V.S., tell letters of V.O. about three-year endurance, V.S.O.P is endurance not less than four years, V.V.S.O.P. - the five-year endurance, X.O. notes the oldest cognac of six-year endurance.
Drinks with endurance are more than six years outside this typology. Process of blending at similar stages can't just be controlled. The label of such cognacs may contain the names Grand Reserve, Extra, Napoleon. They don't mean a brand as treat classification subspecies. For example the word Extra can say that drink "stayed" in a flank from two to five decades. And marking of Napoleon can say that this concrete cognac was created on the basis of distillation of white wine. These are the main age differences of cognacs which are specified on labels. In addition, cognacs rather strongly differ with aromas, tastes, color. Each cognac spirit is maintained in an oak cask, sated with aromas, gains identity. Depend on breed of an oak "half tone" of cognac. It can become vanilla, soft, burning, sharp, wood, fruit, plum. Can gain smack of cigars, cocoa, and sometimes and mushrooms. Most often on the label the producer specifies a bouquet of aromas of drink to facilitate to the buyer the choice. Soft grades with fruitiness enjoy the greatest popularity, judges get burning, rigid cognacs.