Cognac is celebrating 1000 years of the city to be a major hub for business development. Long before the cognac was popular the city was very active in salt, vinegar and wines.
The US newspaper USA TODAY gives a personal account on what makes cognac so special, its history and why it is going through a trendy revival with more than 40% increased sales in the past 6 years, as explained by the bars looking for authentic and original cocktail recipes with careful selections of ingredients.
- Cognac Bottle with VS, VSOP, and XO ages and colors simulation
"Cognac is often complex, sometimes heated, at times best on its own and at others within a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. It is an art and a culture, refined and steeped in history. We honor this age-old spirit in our exploration."
"... the cognac is designated under V.S. (“very special”) until it hits four years of aging, the benchmark for V.S.O.P. (very superior old pale), and the third and final classification is XO (extra old) or Napoleon, reserved for cognacs aged six years or longer.
In its simplest form and at its core, cognac is a brandy defined by its regional boundaries and its compliance with legal requirements as set by French law. Like any wine or spirit, cognac differs in taste in its various expressions and its flavor profile is dependent upon a number of factors (aging, grape variety, blending). It's often rich, has notes of caramel, and is slightly acidic and sometimes floral."
Source: USA TODAY
