What’s The Difference Between(courvoisier) Cognac And Brandy ?

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What's the Difference Between Brandy and Cognac?

When I think of cognac and brandy, I picture my grandparents sipping them after a hearty family meal. To me, the difference seemed subtle or perhaps even insignificant. However, it turns out that while these two brown spirits share some common ground, they also have notable distinctions. Confusing? Let’s break it down!

What is Brandy?

Brandy is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of spirits. In technical terms, it’s made by distilling fermented fruit, so yes, wine could be considered a type of brandy, although we don’t typically refer to it that way. Most brandies fall between 90 and 100 proof and carry a sweet flavor profile. Traditionally, brandy is enjoyed as a digestif—exactly as my grandparents do after meals.

Brandy can come from various fruits and regions, making it a bit complex to categorize. But remember, at its core, brandy is simply distilled fruit juice.

What is Cognac?

Think of the relationship between cognac and brandy like this: all cognac is brandy, but not all brandy is cognac.

While brandy can come from a variety of fruits, cognac is made specifically from white grapes grown in the Cognac region of southwestern France. Cognac must also go through two rounds of distillation between October 1 and March 31 each year. As you can see, cognac’s production is a highly regulated and specific process.

You may also notice different labels on cognac bottles. Here’s a quick guide:

• VS (Very Special): Aged at least 2 years.
• VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale): Aged 4 or more years.
• XO (Extra Old): Aged 6 or more years.

In short, cognac is a specific type of brandy that follows strict guidelines in its production and aging process.

Popular Cognac Brands

Some of the world’s most well-known cognac brands include Hennessy, Remy Martin, Courvoisier, and Martell. Remember, while these are all cognacs, they are also technically brandies. Got it?

Other Types of Brandy

You’ve likely heard of other types of brandy such as:

• Grappa: A grape-based brandy made from leftover wine, typically from Italy.
• Pisco: A clear brandy originating from Peru.
• Calvados: An apple brandy from France.
• Armagnac: Another grape-based brandy from France.

The French, in particular, have perfected the art of distilling fermented fruit into exquisite spirits!

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