Monday, February 25, 2013

Cognac vs. Armagnac


Two of the most popular brandies in the world happen to be from France. Cognac is produced just north of Bordeaux and Armagnac south of Bordeaux. Both utilize mainly the Ugni Blanc grape (known in Italy as Trebbiano) along with Folle Blanche and Colombard to a lesser degree. Cognac is double distilled in a Charentais Pot still creating a complex, subtle brandy, while Armagnac is single-distilled in an Alambic Armagnacais still resulting in a fruitier imbibe with a richer nose and more body. Both are aged in French oak, are approximately  40% alcohol by volume and should ideally be sipped out of a small snifter or tulip-shaped glass allowing for more aromatics thus reducing alcoholic aggression. 

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