Cognac’s Comeback: Facts about cognac you probably didn’t know

Of all the spirits out there, cognac is probably the most overlooked – which is a shame! Dubbed by some as the “champagne of brandy”, this spirit is especially enjoyed by those who like to indulge in a glass or two of Chardonnay; it was originally distilled from white wine produced by grapes grown in the French region of Cognac. That being said, it’s now found in regions all over the world, including some of Hugo Chetcuti’s favourite destinations like Sardegna, Corsica and the French Riviera.

Here are a few cognac secrets that Hugo Chetcuti and his team would like to share with you.

It can’t be produced from just anything

It absolutely must be made from just three types of grapes: Folle Blanche, Colombard and Ugni Blanc, which should only be harvested in October.

It has an incredibly strict and rigid distillation process

Cognac can only be produced from November to March, in copper pots of a certain shape and configuration. It actually has to be double-distilled, after which it is put in barrels that have to be made from French oak to begin an aging process of no less than two years. When all this is done, Cognac won’t continue to age like wine; however as long as it’s kept in a cool, dark place, it will taste as fresh as the first day the distillation process ended. It’s the distillers who decide how long a batch of cognac should be aged.

There are three types of Cognac

  1. VS (Very Special) that has been aged for 2 years
  2. VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) aged for about 4 years
  3. XO (Extra Old) aged for at least 10 years.

What can it be mixed with?

Yep – despite all the fancy shmancyness, Cognac tastes great when it’s paired with none other than everyone’s favourite soft drink, Coke. Champagne and ginger ale are good too. Remember that the darker the Cognac, the older it is, which means that the deeper the hue the lighter you should go on the mixer.

There are some surprising health benefits

Of course, we must stress that like all alcohol, moderation is key. However, cognac is actually rich in antioxidants; the most powerful being the XO type which gets its strongest healing element (ellagic acid) from the oak in the aging barrel. In winter, cognac is even used as a home remedy for illnesses such as the common cold and the flu when mixed with butter, milk, honey and raw egg yolk.

Feeling chilly? Come down to Hugo’s Terrace and curb the cold with some cognac

We’ve assembled some of Hugo Chetcuti’s favourite blends of this delicious brandy that can be ordered by the glass or bottle. Hugo’s Terrace offers VS, VSOP and XO cognacs, as well as the unique flavour of Hennessy Fine, a fusion of VS and VSOP.

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