Not each strong drink from grapes has the right to be called cognac. Very strict requirements that it by right could carry such name are imposed to this noble drink.
All of us know that there is "The Armenian cognac". But so it can be called only in domestic market. At sale abroad it name is already inadmissible. To be called cognac, drink has to conform to certain requirements. 1. First of all, this name controlled by origin, that is "tied" to the French region which center is the city of Cognac. Climatic conditions and features of the soil of this region cause gustatory qualities of grapes which go on production of cognac.
2. Production technology. Of course, the exact technology is kept a strict secret. But the method of production is a distillation of dry white grape wine and further aging of drink in oak casks therefore drink darkens. By production extraneous impurities and excipients aren't allowed. All subtleties are considered: not each breed of an oak is suitable for production of barrels but only that which possesses a certain degree of porosity distillate shouldn't adjoin to metal objects so barrels are made without nails. Storage conditions are also very important, it in each cognac house is watched by the certain person. Further there is марьяж, that is a drawing up drink of a set of cognac spirits of different endurance. It is difficult process which is trusted only experts-tasters.
Despite strictly regulated technology, cognacs of each cognac house have the identity and shades of taste. Depending on age of drink, distinguish the following categories: V.S (very special), V.S.O. (very spacial old), V.S.O.P. (very special old pale), X.O. (extra old). These letters are surely specified on a bottle. Considering all complexity of preparation of this noble drink and attention to the smallest details by production, it is no wonder that cognac has such high price. The most part of cognac goes for export.