What French and Kuban grape varieties are cognac made from?

Real cognac is produced exclusively in France in the Charente region. French law regulates the boundaries of the area where it is produced. In other countries, cognac refers to any brandy - a wine distillate aged in oak barrels with a strength of at least 40°. Cognac has a characteristic taste, color and aroma. For its production, white table grape varieties with high acidity and low sugar content are used. Read on to find out what grape varieties cognac is made from.

Grape varieties for cognac

Not all grape varieties are suitable for cognac production. For this purpose, white table grapes with white or pink berries are used, which have a harmonious taste without the aftertaste of muscat. The taste and aroma of the drink is influenced not only by aging in oak barrels, but also by the complex distillation process and the interaction of aromatic particles with air.

The characteristic taste is formed during manufacturing, but the raw materials must be free of foreign tastes and aromas. For example, isabella varieties are not used to produce cognac. The pulp of such grapes has a mucous structure. Product yield is important for the skate, and it is impossible to obtain it from such a wort.

It is not always possible to obtain a worthwhile cognac from high-quality table wines with a refined aroma and rich taste. Burgundy grape varieties produce excellent wines with an exquisite aroma, but cognac based on them lacks a strong aroma and has a weak aftertaste. Very mediocre wines are made from the Scarlet Tersky and Folle Blanche varieties, while cognac acquires a delicate taste and aroma.

Which grapes are best for cognac? Varieties for the production of the drink are selected by trial and error. Experts have developed specific requirements for raw materials. The variety, sugar content, acidity, cultivation conditions, harvest time, and climate are taken into account.

Cognac grapes grow best on rocky, calcareous and clay-limestone soils. When grown in moist soils, it acquires better organoleptic properties. Lack of moisture prevents the berries from accumulating the necessary aromatic substances.

The grapes must be fully ripe. This is facilitated by the conditions of the climatic zone, a sufficient number of sunny days and temperature. The most favorable conditions for growing cognac grape varieties - in Kuban and France.

Reference. The name of the drink is associated with the surroundings of the Charente region and directly with the town of Cognac (French Cognac), where it originated. In 1891, the name was enshrined in law.

In France

It is generally accepted that the best vineyards are located throughout France. In the 17th century, winemakers followed cognac production technology and achieved outstanding results. During that period, cognac houses appeared that specialized in the production of this drink. One of the first was the Ogier company, which continues to exist today. Its products are very successful in Europe.

In the 18th century, cognac production technology was improved, thanks to which cognac companies began to open en masse.Richard Hennessy, an Irishman, founded the famous House of Hennessy in France. With its appearance, cognac gained fame all over the world, and the company’s products are considered the standard of quality.

Among the most suitable French varieties for making cognac are Ugni-blanc, Colombard, Folle-blanche, Semillon. The agricultural technology of these varieties is complex, so alcohol from them is expensive. The drinks are characterized by a bright taste and delicate aroma.

Ugny blanc

Other names of the variety: Trebbiano, Ugni Blanc, Saint-Emilion. This is a white technical grape, one of the most widespread in the world. In addition to France, it grows in Australia, New Zealand, and Italy. The crop is characterized by productivity and is used to make cognac.

Characteristics:

• medium-sized bush;
• three- and five-lobed leaves of medium size;
• an open petiolar notch of a lyre-shaped form with an elliptical lumen;
• bisexual flowers;
• clusters are medium-sized, conical, dense or medium-dense;
• drought resistance is high, disease resistance is average;
• berries are round, medium size;
• the skin is white, thick, covered with veins and dots;
• the pulp is juicy, fleshy;
• yield - 90-110 c/ha.

Ugni Blanc is ideal for distillation. Manufacturers note its high acidity and low sugar content. A small amount of sugar allows you to make base wine from raw materials with a low percentage of alcohol and carry out long distillation to achieve the required strength of 72°. The longer the process takes, the purer the drink.

Increased acidity prevents spoilage of raw materials and wine. This eliminates the need to use sulfur dioxide, which is prohibited in the production of cognac.Distillation with dioxide turns the wine into a slurry that smells like rotten eggs and boiled cabbage.

Important! Ugni Blanc is the main grape variety for cognac production.

Colombard

Colombard is a technical white grape variety, a descendant of the Gua and Chenin varieties, the “brother” of the Balzac Blanc cognac grape. In warm regions, Colombard provides the raw material for the production of cognac and wines with good acidity, fresh fruity and floral aromas.

In addition to France, the variety is cultivated in Australia, South Africa, and the USA (California, Texas).

Characteristics:

• medium-sized bush;
• leaves are medium sized, round in shape;
• flowers are bisexual;
• clusters of medium size, cylindrical, medium density;
• medium-sized, round berries;
• the skin is dense, white with a green tint;
• the pulp is juicy;
• resistance to mildew and gray rot;
• sensitivity to frost;
• yield - 9-13 t/ha.

Folle Blanche

Folle blanche (Picul) - a white technical grape variety for the production of skate - is grown exclusively in the west of France. The number of landings is rapidly declining.

Characteristics:

• increased susceptibility to disease and rot;
• yield - 100-130 c/ha;
• medium-sized bush;
• leaves are medium-sized, round in shape, five-lobed, weakly or moderately dissected, covered with a soft edge;
• bisexual flowers;
• the clusters are dense, conical, with pronounced wings;
• berries are round, medium size;
• the skin is thick, green-yellow, with a waxy coating;
• frost resistance is high.

Semillon

Semillon (Semillon) is a technical white grape variety. It grows in the Bordeaux region, on the banks of the Dordogne River.

Characteristics:

• sets late, but ripens early;
• medium-sized bush;
• leaves are medium-sized, wrinkled, funnel-shaped, five-lobed, the back side is covered with a pubescence;
• flowers are bisexual;
• lyre-shaped petiole notch;
• medium-sized, round berries;
• the skin is thin, golden yellow, with a waxy coating, covered with small brown dots;
• the pulp is juicy, melting;
• average resistance to mildew, oidium, gray rot;
• frost resistance is weak;
• yield - 90-100 c/ha.

Cognac grapes are grown in the vicinity of the city of Cognac. Nature has created favorable conditions for the cultivation of high-quality material: soil rich in chalk, moderate climate and sufficient rainfall. The bushes are planted at intervals of 3-4 m. This planting facilitates mechanical picking of berries. The territory is divided into 6 zones.

An expensive drink with an exquisite taste and aromatic bouquet is obtained from raw materials collected in the Petite Champagne and Grande Champagne areas. In more remote areas, lower quality raw materials are obtained, so cognac spirits are less aromatic and too volatile, and the smell decreases as they age.

Reference. Cognac spirit has the right to be called cognac if it is aged in oak barrels for at least 2 years. The maximum age of the drink is not limited.

In Kuban

At the beginning of the 21st century, the Institute of Winemaking and Viticulture named after. Ya. I. Potapenko" conducted research on popular grape varieties to select the most suitable plants for obtaining pipit. Among the recommended varieties for Kuban were: Rkatsiteli, Aligote, Scarlet Tersky, Kleret, Silvaner, Swim.

Rkatsiteli

Rkatsiteli is a Georgian grape variety for the production of wines and cognac, port and Madeira.

Characteristics:

• complete ripening of the vine;
• average vigor;
• yield - 20 t/ha;
• average resistance to mildew, phylloxera, low to oidium, cluster budworm, spider mite;
• high frost and drought resistance;
• annual shoots of red-yellow color;
• medium-sized bush;
• leaves are medium-sized, moderately dissected, entire, slightly funnel-shaped, reticulate-wrinkled, covered with a slight pubescence on the back side;
• petiole notch open, deep, lyre-shaped;
• flowers are bisexual;
• clusters are medium and large, cylindrical, winged, medium dense;
• medium-sized, oval-shaped berries;
• the skin is thin, golden yellow with brown spots;
• the pulp is juicy.

Aligote

Aligote is a French wine variety for the production of high-quality table wine, port and cognac. Has a pronounced varietal taste and aroma.

Characteristics:

• low resistance to drought;
• yield - 30 t/ha;
• average resistance to fungal diseases;
• medium-sized bush;
• leaves are dissected, three-lobed, entire, the edges are bent down, the back side is covered with a light cobwebby edge;
• petiole recess vaulted, open;
• flowers are bisexual;
• clusters of medium size, cylindrical, dense;
• medium-sized, round berries;
• the skin is thin, greenish-white, turning yellow as it ripens;
• the pulp is juicy.

Scarlet Tersky

Scarlet Tersky is a technical grape variety for the production of table wine and cognac. The wines made from it are scarlet in color and are characterized by mediocre taste and aroma. From the raw materials, high-quality alcohol and vodka called “Kizlyarki” are obtained.

Characteristics:

• complete ripening of the vine;
• high growth vigor;
• medium-sized bush;
• yield - 15-18 t/ha;
• medium resistance to oidium, low to mildew;
• frost resistance high;
• leaves are deeply dissected, five-lobed, large-vesicular, funnel-shaped, with dense pubescence on the back side;
• petiole notch closed or open;
• flowers are bisexual;
• the clusters are large, broadly conical, branched, loose;
• medium-sized, round or oval berries;
• the skin is thin, dark blue;
• the pulp is juicy.

Clairet

Clairette is a table grape variety used for making wine, skate and champagne.

Characteristics:

• complete ripening of the vine;
• high level of transportability;
• average vigor;
• yield - 9-10 t/ha;
• medium-sized bush;
• clusters of medium size, cylindrical;
• high resistance to oidium, low to mildew;
• average resistance to frost and drought;
• leaves are medium-sized, dark green, covered on the back with thick, felt-like pubescence, five-lobed, moderately funnel-shaped, curved, slightly wavy;
• petiole notch closed or partially open;
• flowers are bisexual;
• clusters of medium size, broadly conical, lobed, loose;
• medium-sized, oval-shaped berries;
• the skin is thin, greenish-white with a golden tint;
• the pulp is juicy.

Silvaner

Silvaner is a technical grape variety originally from Austria. Used to make cognac and fine table wines.

Characteristics:

• complete ripening of the vine;
• average vigor;
• yield - 10 t/ha;
• average resistance to mildew, low to oidium and cluster budworm;
• high frost resistance;
• drought resistance is average;
• medium-sized bush;
• leaves are medium-sized, moderately dissected, three-lobed, strongly curved, wavy, the outlines of the lobes are round, with a dense, bristly edge on the back side;
• petiole notch open, less often closed, lyre-shaped;
• flowers are bisexual;
• clusters of medium size, cylindro-conical, lobed, dense;
• medium-sized, round berries;
• the skin is thin, greenish-white, with large brown dots;
• the pulp is juicy.

swim

Moldavian technical grade. Widespread in Kuban, used for the production of table wines, cognac and port.

Characteristics:

• yield - 20 t/ha;
• low resistance to mildew and leaf roller, average to phylloxera;
• frost resistance is below average;
• medium-sized bush;
• leaves are rounded, slightly dissected, covered with dense pubescence on the back side;
• the petiole notch is often open, less often closed, lyre-shaped;
• flowers are bisexual;
• clusters of medium size, cylindrical and cylindrical-conical in shape, dense;
• berries are medium-sized, round;
• the skin is thin, transparent, often bursts, green-white in color;
• the pulp is watery.

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Characteristics of ripe berries

Experts have found that from these varieties it is possible to obtain high-quality raw materials, and cognac has a soft, harmonious, rich taste and aroma.

When harvesting, it is recommended to take into account the ripeness of the grapes. Sugar content should be at the level of 16-18%, acidity - within 7-9 g/l. The berries should not be overripe, since they concentrate a large amount of sugar and reduce the acid content.

The readiness of berries for picking is determined by the following criteria:

• pink or yellow color;
• soft and sticky pulp when crushed;
• thinned skin;
• lignification and brown color of the bunch crest;
• The dense dark seeds are easily removed.

External signs are still considered subjective. To determine the ripeness of berries, a chemical analysis method is used.

Reference. Cognac barrels are handmade from oak about 80 years old, grown in the forests of Limousin and Tronçais. Their volume is 270-450 liters. Tronsay oak has a coarse-grained, low-tannin structure, while Limousin oak has a medium-grained and high-tannin structure. The barrels are fired from the inside, softening the wood structure and increasing its extractive properties.

Conclusion

Not all grape varieties are suitable for cognac production. Low sugar content and high acidity are important in this matter. The characteristic taste appears during the manufacturing process, and the wine material must be free of foreign tastes and odors. The grapes must be fully ripe, but not overripe.

The most favorable conditions for growing cognac grape varieties are in Kuban and France. The following varieties are recommended for Kuban: Rkatsiteli, Aligote, Scarlet Tersky, Kleret, Silvaner, Plavai. In France, Ugni-blanc, Colombard, Folle-blanche, Semillon are cultivated.