History, types and features of brandy production. Brandy grape Novokubansky: reviews

Many amateurs of high-quality beverages know this amber color and aroma. This is grape brandy. It is believed that most often it is used by men, this is no wonder, because its strength is from 35 to 70 degrees. But sometimes this drink is preferred by the ladies, albeit in a diluted form, as part of cocktails. Consumers leave different opinions about this drink, which is also quite natural, because there are a lot of kinds and brands, and opinions vary widely among people. Let's look at this in more detail.

What is brandy. History

Brandy - a strong alcoholic beverage, or rather, a whole family of drinks that are made by distillation, distillation of grape juice, berry or fruit brag. Strict standards or production regulations are not. The drink can have different strengths ranging from 35 degrees. The name comes from a foreign brandewijn - "distilled wine." And this designation was fixed for alcohol, prepared by distillation from grape or fruit wine.

There is no specific date when grape brandy appeared, but its development is clearly connected with the development of distillation by distillation. Strong alcoholic beverages were in the course of the ancient times - in Rome, China, Greece. As we know from history, that brandy, as we now know it, gained popularity in the XIV century. Initially distillation of grape wine facilitated the merchants storage and transportation of the drink. But then people noticed that the longer it is kept in wooden barrels, the smoother and thinner the taste and aroma becomes.

Types of brandy

There are three main types of such product:

1. Grape brandy. Get it by fermenting fermented grape juice. This type is divided into several types:

Cognac. France, Cognac area. With the help of distillation cubes, the drink is distilled twice. Withstand in oak barrels. The most popular brands are Martel, Hennessy, Courvoisier, Remmy Martin.

Armagnac . South-west of France, the area Armagnac. A noble drink is obtained by prolonged distillation through copper distillers. Then Armagnac is kept in oak barrels, and the process lasts much longer than cognac - from 12 to 20 years, there are specimens and with 30 years of aging. The first alcoholic beverage is made in France. The most popular brand is the Marquis de Montesquieu.

Sour brandy . South of Spain. The most popular strong drink in Spain. And from all over the brandy of the country, 92% falls on the share of sherry.

Greek brandy (grape) . The drink has been produced here since 1888. The "Metaxa" brand is named after the founder - Spiros Metaxi.

Grape brandy of China, South Africa, Mexico. It is produced almost the same way as cognac. That is, by double distillation in copper cubes and with subsequent exposure of at least 3 years in oak barrels.

American grape brandy. It differs from European color and fortress. He is lighter and stronger. They are made in California.

Armenian cognac . Produced in Armenia. In 2010, the new trade name "Arbun" was introduced. Grape alcohol, produced exclusively in Armenia, is used as raw material for the drink.

Moldavian grape brandy . "The Old Order" is the newest brand that the Euro-Alco company produces and exports.

2. Fruit brandy.

3. Brandy from the squeeze.

CJSC Novokubanskoe

CJSC Novokubanskoe was founded in the last century, in 1943. In the country this enterprise is considered the best in the production of cognac products. Here they also produce brandy "Grape Novokubanskoye". Fans of this drink leave the most positive feedback about the taste and aroma of the product. In its production, French technology is used. The enterprise is engaged not only in production, but also in the cultivation of cognac varieties of grapes. The location of the vineyards is very favorable climatically - at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains. On the border between the mountainous Stavropol and the plains of the Kuban there is a unique microclimate: clean dry air, the smell of grass, windless weather ... All this ensures the production of an excellent wine crop. Cognacs of Novokubanskoe CJSC are widely known not only in our country, but also abroad. At various competitions drinks were awarded high prizes and prizes, including the Grand Prix "Prodexpo" - an international exhibition.

Product range

Even in the 80's difficult for the wine industry, the enterprise continued to exist. Vineyards were preserved, they continued to introduce new brands of cognac into production, which still please customers. 2009 was marked by the release of an elite product with an exposure of 40 years. By the end of the year, a line of four cognacs appeared under the general name "Ekaterinodar". For their production was used wine alcohol, laid down in the last century at the foundation of the enterprise. In 2010, they renewed the design of the bottles of the brandy brand Prometheus, brandy Pobeda. In 2011, a new line of cognacs called "Grand Prix" was released. In 2012, JSC "Novokubanskoye" again creates a new series of drinks. In May, the brandy "Grape Novokubanskoye" was released. Testimonials of the tasters confirmed the extraordinary taste, complex aroma. In the bouquet there are shades of oak components. Unique "Novokubanskoye" contains alcohols that lasted more than two years in oak barrels, after-sale holiday - 4 years.

How do brandy grape

Manufacturing technology varies slightly depending on the variety of raw materials. Grape brandy is made from fermented grape juice. The process begins with wine, which lasts 3-4 weeks. It turns out a liquid with a strength of 9-12 degrees. It is placed in a still cube and heated to a boil. The vapors formed in the process have a degree much higher than the wort itself. After distillation, the strength of the material is increased three-fold, and the volume of the liquid is reduced by half. During the second distillation, alcohol is divided into fractions, cognac is the average. Cognac and armagnac stand for several years in an oak barrel at a humidity of up to 85% and a temperature of 18 to 20 degrees.

Fruit brandy from alcohol

Another variety is brandy made from grape seed and pulp. There are also brandy from other berries and fruits. The most famous are apple calvados, slivovitz, cherry krishwasser. Most of these drinks do not have aging, so they are transparent. The manufacturer in such cases is obliged to indicate that the drink has no aging period. Some are aged for 2 years, after that they have a strength of 70 degrees. Such brandy is diluted with softened water, color, sugar syrup. Finally, the drink must be filtered.

The difference between brandy and cognac

True connoisseurs of elite alcohol should know that brandy grape and cognac are still different from each other. Cognac, no doubt, refers to the variety Brandewijn, but there is a difference in the technology of manufacturing these products. This cognac is prepared only from grape juice, and brandy, as we discussed above, can be distilled from any other fruit. Some craftsmen try to produce a drink at home. Knowing the correct sequence of actions, observing the recipe of technology, this is quite possible to achieve.

Brandy has existed for many hundreds of years, but this does not affect the quality of the right beverage. He does not lose his originality. In modern production, the original technology is used, while retaining flavor notes and unique flavors.

How to drink properly

Over time, more and more new varieties of brandy, cognac are being produced. To properly assess the fineness of the drink, you need to try it right. Professional tasters evaluating grape brandy, reviews leave very interesting and give tips on how to taste the drink to feel the whole bouquet of flavor and aroma.

• To disassemble fragrant notes, the drink should be poured into the sniffer. Portion should be small - less than half the volume.
• Drink a drink in small sips, tasting is better spent in the circle of friends and loved ones, drinking slowly, enjoying the taste.
• Keep the sniffer in the palm of your hand, from the warmth of your hand the drink will be heated. The best temperature is 25 degrees.
• Cognac is not accepted to have a snack, but if you need it, you can serve a lemon or chocolate.
• For those who do not like strong drinks, you can prepare cocktails, add alcohol to syrups, juices, coffee and even ice cream.
• When the taste and aroma seem too oversaturated, you can add ice cubes.

Opinions and opinions of connoisseurs of this drink are many. As with what to drink brandy - everyone decides, but listen to the experts' opinion still does not hurt.