What Is Doctor Brandy?

DOCTOR – BRANDY!

You can own a soothing relief in the house in case of minor health issues, such as a cold or cough, or simply as an excuse to enjoy it. Yes! It has some warming properties to cure a cold and cough, but it is only effective for some people.

Brandy is not only known for its health concerns but also has a position in the global market. Speaking of my home country, in India, brandy stands second in the alcoholic beverage market as it is consumed the highest after whisky.

People are converting their tastes and shifting their preferences towards brandy. People are not only sipping it as a substitute to eliminate a cold and cough, but are also understanding and shifting their standards towards it. To this, there is Growth factor and Premiumization, as there are many competitors and brands in the market that are growing with exceptional craft.

You should know your Brandy…

Brandy Vs Cognac – Everything You Need To Know

We discussed the differences between Champagne and sparkling wine, and why the specifications are so important. If not, you could read the previous content on the topic of wine types, because it’s all related.

COGNAC (coni-yakh) and Brandy have a fine line between their identities. Cognac comes from the Cognac region of France, as it gets its GI (Geographical Index) status, and Brandy can come from any part of the world. All cognacs are brandies, but not all brandies are cognacs.

COGNAC GRAPES

Certain regulations must be followed while crafting a Cognac, as a standard. Similar to that of Champagne, Cognac is also made from certain grapes. They are mentioned as follows:-

1. Ugni Blanc
2. Folle Blanche
3. Colombard

Similar to the laws of Champagne, these are some exclusive Cognac grape varietals.

Now that we are well known to the basic difference. We shall decode a Beverage which no one really talks about, that is “Armagnac”.

What Is Armagnac?

Armagnac is a brandy from the Armagnac region of France. It’s often considered cognac’s rustic cousin, but it has a distinct character. Here’s a breakdown.

Cognac Vs Armagnac

Both Cognac and Armagnac are French brandies with a dynamic and massive history; however, they are not the same. Their difference varies in quite a number of factors. The following chart will give you a better understanding of the difference in a pattern.

Aging For Cognac

We have an insight into distillation, and also the aging, now brandy, especially cognac, follows a standard for aging, which is,

1. V.S (very special) – Aging in the barrel for 2 years
2. V.S.O.P (very special old pale) – Aging in the barrel for 4 years
3. X.O (extra old) – Aging for 10 years, the initial law was aging for 6 years until 2018, which has been the minimum aging.

The older the aging, the superior the brandy. Some even aged for a Century.

Pro tip – ABV (Alcohol by Volume) has a legal standard in different countries for each category. In Brandy, the ABV must be at least 36-40% in the EU. If you exceed, the producer will be charged an amount for each percentage of ABV rise.

NEXT UP!!

Taste like a pro:- Learn how to taste like a pro with spectacular tips that will blow your mind.

“Stay tuned for a wildcard article.”

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