Caloric cognac and its composition

Brandy – a sophisticated drink, named in honor of the town in one of the southwestern provinces of France, where he began his story. This is a traditional French strong alcoholic product obtained by distillation of white wines and further aging in oak barrels.

The Invention of the drink

Already in the XII century in the southern regions of France there were several large vineyards intended exclusively for the production of wine, which were delivered by sea to the countries of Northern Europe. When shipping wine bad retained their consumer properties, and in the seventeenth century introduced a new technology of preparation for transportation. The finished product prior to export were subjected to distillation. This wine did not change its properties after a long journey on sea transport. Moreover, distilled beverage had a more intense flavor and aroma compared to conventional. After delivery it was diluted, increasing in volume, which was significantly cheaper to transport.

One of the French winemakers noticed that the distilled wine aged during transport in oak barrels, purchased new, original taste. After experimenting, it is suggested to increase term aging of wine distillate in oak barrels and subsequently to use it undiluted. In the nineteenth century, not only in the city the founder called Cognac, but also in other settlements of France undiluted wine distillates, aged in oak barrels, was bottled in glass bottles and was implemented as a non-wine product. The emergence of a new liquor contributed to a significant increase in the number of vineyards, where they grow a new, resistant to diseases and atmospheric conditions of the class.

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Where cognac is produced

Currently, the cognac drink is made in Georgia, Armenia, North Caucasus, and also in Spain, Greece and other countries. But according to the rules in force for the European manufacturers and the trade, to indicate on the label of the drink name Cognac are only entitled to the French manufacturers.

Drinks produced in other countries, is called "brandy" as a kind of cognac drink. The calorie content of brandy is different because of the use of different raw materials.

Production Technology and types

Brandy is made from special varieties of white grapes: Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, Colombard. Harvested in mid-October, after which the grapes are pressed and sent to a fermentation lasting several weeks, and then distilled the resulting material. For this cognac is absolutely precluded the use in the production process increases the fermentation of substances, such as sugar or sulfates. In the course of distillation to separate the fraction with an alcohol content of 69-72%, which is further aged in oak barrels and eventually becomes cognac. The minimum aging period of the cognac material in oak barrels for 30 months.

To improve color of the final product is allowed to use caramel or alcoholic tincture oak chippings. The color of the finished cognac or brandy, if product is manufactured outside France may vary from light amber to light brown with a Golden hue. The drink should be transparent, without impurities and inclusions with a buttery texture. The strength of the cognac must be at least 40%. Depending on the age of the drink, which can range from three to six years, there are cognac 3 stars, four, five and six. Each of these drinks has its own unique taste. The period of exposure and the type of raw material used in production is largely influenced by how many calories in brandy.In the marking of vintage cognacs older than six years, instead of stars on the label are used abbreviations: KV (age drink at least six years), KVVK (premium cognac aged at least eight years), the COP (elite old cognac, whose age exceeds ten years). There are about 2000 known cognac houses that make this drink in the greatest degree famous. Of them should be allocated Hennessy ("Hennessey"), Remy Martin (“Remy Martin”), Martell (“Martel”), Bisquit (“Biscuit”).

Composition, properties and calorie content of brandy

The composition of the brandies is quite diverse. The main components are alcohols, organic acids and ethyl esters. The composition of cognac – is a unique natural structure, through which it is able to exert on the body a beneficial effect. The drink has antioxidant properties due to the content in it biologically active substances. Thus, the presence in its structure of tannin and tannin promotes the best assimilation of vitamin C. Tannins also have anti-inflammatory action. It should also be noted that the use of this drink is to take into account the calorie content of brandy, which is 235-240 kcal in 100 grams.

This noble drink dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. It improves appetite and secretion of gastric juice, and in some cases eveneliminates stomach cramps. Naturally, the better the brandy, the better it affects the body. Hot drink with honey and lemon is effective against colds and sore throat. It is recognized that a few drops of brandy added to black tea will strengthen the immune system.

Calorie content of brandy largely depends on the type and duration of exposure. This drink is missing proteins and fats. The content of carbohydrates does not exceed three percent. The composition of cognac with a point of view, components can be summarized like this: alcohol – not less than 33 g per hundred grams of beverage, water, dietary fiber, mono - and disaccharides, and minerals (potassium, calcium, sodium). These components are basic, but this can vary depending on the manufacturer and formulation.

What is brandy

Currently there are several thousand cognac houses producing goods in the widest range. The cost of traditional cognacs often depends on the prices of raw materials, technology of production, exposure and value of brand. Thus, the cost of an ordinary bottle of cognac, for example, Armenian production, could start from 41 the U.S. dollar, while the price of a drink any French house will not fall below 200 conventional units. There are elite types of brandies, the cost of which could exceed 1 million. These varieties are more than a century of exposure are made the best cognac houses, and stocks of some of them is limited.

So, ten most expensive cognacs opens the drink with the price of 4 700 $ (Courvoisier L’Esprit Decanter), and the palm belongs to Henri IV, Cognac Grande Champagne – the cost of one jeweled bottle is 1 875 000 $.

How to drink brandy

It is difficult Enough to average the value and standardize how many calories in brandy, but when used should take this factor into consideration. This drink at room temperature. It is not cooled as vodka, and not heated to evaporate some of the flavor. Brandy glasses traditionally broad and squat in shape, globose, narrowed to the top. This bottle is conveniently held in the palm of your hand, the warm beverage warmed hands. It is recommended to uncork the bottle of brandy half an hour before use, this gives you the opportunity to spread the aroma across the room. The French traditionally prefer the combination of cognac, chocolate and cigars. In Russia there was a tradition to drink cognac with a slice of fresh or candied lemon.