Caloric content of cognac and its composition

Cognac - a noble drink, named after the town in one of the south-western provinces of France, where its history began. This is the original French strong alcohol product, obtained by distilling white wines and further aging in oak barrels.

The invention of the drink

Already in the XII century in the southern regions of France, several large vineyards were created, designed exclusively for the production of wine, which was delivered by sea to the countries of Northern Europe. When transporting wine poorly retained their consumer properties, and in the 17th century new technologies of preparation for transportation were introduced. The finished product was distilled prior to export. This wine did not change its properties after a long journey by sea. Moreover, the distilled beverage had a more rich flavor and aroma than the usual one. After delivery, it was diluted, increasing in volume, which significantly reduced the cost of transportation.

One of the French winemakers noticed that distilled wine, aged during transportation in oak barrels, acquired a new, original taste. After experimenting, he proposed to increase the aging time of the wine distillate in oak barrels and subsequently use it undiluted. In the XIX century, not only in the city of the ancestor called Cognac, but also in other towns of France, undiluted wine distillate, aged in oak barrels, was bottled in glass bottles and sold as a different product from wine. The appearance of a new alcoholic beverage contributed to a significant increase in the number of vineyards, where new varieties resistant to diseases and atmospheric conditions were grown.

Where to produce cognac

Nowadays, a cognac beverage is produced in Georgia, Armenia, the North Caucasus, as well as in Spain, Greece and other countries. But according to the rules in force for European manufacturers, and the turnover, the name of Cognac should be indicated on the label of the drink only by French producers.

Drinks produced in other countries, it is customary to call "brandy" as a kind of cognac beverage. The caloric content of cognac and brandy differs due to the use of different raw materials.

Production technology and types

Cognac is made of special varieties of white grapes: Uni Blanc, Fol Blanche, Colombard. Harvest is collected in the middle of October, after which the grapes are pressed and sent to fermentation for a period of several weeks, and then distilled the resulting material. For this brandy, the use of substances that intensify fermentation, such as sugar or sulphates, is absolutely excluded. During distillation, a fraction with an alcohol content of 69-72% is separated, which is subsequently aged in oak barrels and, in the final result, becomes cognac. The shortest period of aging cognac material in oak barrels is 30 months.

In order to improve the color of the final product, it is allowed to use caramel or alcohol tincture on oak chips. The color of the finished brandy or brandy, if the product is made outside of France, can range from light amber to light brown with a golden hue. Drink should be transparent, without impurities and inclusions of oily consistency. Fortress cognac should be at least 40%. Depending on the age of the drink, which can vary from three to six years, distinguish cognac 3 stars, four, five and six. Each of these drinks has its own unique taste. The aging time and the type of raw materials used in the manufacture, in many respects influence and how many calories in cognac. When labeling branded cognacs older than six years, instead of stars on the label, abbreviations are used: KV (the age of the drink is not less than six years), KVVK (premium cognac with aging not less than eight years), KS (elite old cognac, whose age exceeds ten years). In total there are about 2000 famous cognac houses making this drink the most famous. Among them are Hennessy (Hennessy), Remy Martin ("Remy Martin"), Martell ("Martel"), Bisquit ("Biscuit").

Composition, properties and caloricity of brandy

Cognacs are quite diverse in composition. The main constituents are alcohols, organic acids and ethyl esters. The composition of cognac is a unique natural structure, thanks to which it is able to exert a beneficial effect on the body. The drink has antioxidant properties due to the content of biologically active substances in it. Thus, the presence in its structure of tannin and tannins contributes to better absorption of the body by vitamin C. Tannins also have an anti-inflammatory effect. It should also be noted that when consuming this drink, it is necessary to take into account the calorie content of cognac, which is 235-240 kcal per 100 grams.

This noble drink expands blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. It improves appetite and production of gastric juice, and in some cases even eliminates stomach spasms. Naturally, the better the cognac, the better it affects the body. A warmed drink with honey and lemon is effective against colds and sore throats. It is recognized that a few drops of brandy, added to black tea, contribute to strengthening the immune system.

The caloric content of cognac depends largely on its type and aging time. In this drink there are no proteins and fats. The content of carbohydrates does not exceed three percent. The composition of cognac in terms of components can be stated approximately like this: alcohol - at least 33 grams per hundred grams of beverage, water, dietary fiber, mono and disaccharides, minerals (potassium, calcium, sodium). These components are basic, but may vary depending on the manufacturer and the formulation.

How much does cognac cost?

Currently, there are several thousand cognac houses in the world that produce products in the widest range. The cost of traditional cognacs often depends on the price of raw materials, manufacturability of production, aging and the importance of the brand. So, the cost of an ordinary bottle of cognac, for example, Armenian production, can start from 41 US dollars, while the price of a drink of any French house will not fall below 200 conventional units. There are elite types of cognacs, the cost of which can exceed 1 million. These varieties of more than a century of aging are made by the best cognac houses, and the reserves of some of them are limited.

So, the top ten most expensive cognacs opens a drink worth $ 4,700 (Courvoisier L'Esprit Decanter), and the palm tree belongs to Henri IV, Cognac Grande Champagne - the cost of one gem-decorated bottle is $ 1,875,000.

How to drink cognac

It is not easy to average the value and standardize how many calories in cognac, but when you use this factor should be taken into account. This drink is at room temperature. It does not cool, like vodka, and it does not warm up so that a part of the fragrance does not evaporate. Cognac glasses are traditionally broad and squat, spherical, narrowed to the top. Such a vessel is conveniently held in the palm of your hand, while the drink is warmed by the warmth of the hand. It is recommended to uncork a bottle of cognac for half an hour before consumption, this gives an opportunity to spread the fragrance around the room. The French traditionally prefer a combination of cognac with chocolate and cigars. In Russia, there was a tradition of consuming cognac with a piece of fresh or candied lemon.