Tasting cognac
Firstly, do you know how cognac is made?
Il s’agit d’une boisson complexe qui nécessite beaucoup de temps et d’attention. Issue à 98% d’Ugni-Blanc, elle est fabriquée en commençant par distiller 2 fois le vin blanc. On obtient ainsi l’eau-de-vie de cognac, qui va ensuite être placée en fûts de chêne. C’est là que commence le vieillissement, temps pendant lequel l’eau-de-vie va développer ses arômes, mais aussi acquérir de la rondeur et de la souplesse. Le cognac est ensuite obtenu en assemblant différentes eaux-de-vie de différentes années. Tout est une question d’équilibre.
98% of this spirit is exported, and it is a huge success worldwide. Its success also comes from the multiple ways in which it can be enjoyed. Traditionally known as an after-dinner drink, things have evolved and cognac can now be enjoyed in many different ways. We explain it all to you!
Drink cognac as an aperitif
Yes, cognac can also be enjoyed as an aperitif! Guillon-Painturaud's speciality is to produce fine and light cognacs that are neither too spicy nor too woody. The result is cognacs that can be enjoyed before a meal. For an aperitif with pure cognac, we prefer old cognacs, at least 10 years old. These have had time to develop complex aromas and a lovely roundness.
But there are also other ways to enjoy it as an original aperitif!
Cognac on ice
Cognac on the ice deserves a closer look. Adding ice cubes to cognac gives it a thick texture and makes for a delicious mouth-feel. The cold also tends to reduce the alcohol content, allowing the aromas to come through more fully. Don't hesitate to add plenty of ice! If you put just one, it will dilute the cognac and you'll lose the aromas. Putting a lot of ice cubes gives you freshness without diluting the cognac.
For this experience, you can drink both VSOP and XO. The VSOP in our range is very fruity and the aromas come through very well!
Cognac in cocktail
Very much in vogue in the United States, this way of consuming cognac attracts a younger clientele and ‘refreshes’ the image of cognac. With the right recipe, you can enjoy the flavours of cognac in a very gourmet way!
To drink cognac in cocktails, we prefer VS or VSOP, which add a lot of dynamism and freshness.
To discover our recipes for homemade cognac cocktails, go to our dedicated article!
Drink cognac with your meal
While this is highly developed in Asian markets, it is less so in France. But it's still very interesting to pair cognac with food and desserts! Older cognacs, in particular, have developed such a complexity that it's worth pairing them with a meal.
Some examples of food and cognac pairings
Prenons par exemple notre XO Vieille Réserve. Ce cognac âgé de minimum 10 ans offre de belles notes florales et une grande finesse. Il s’accorde très bien avec… des fruits de mer ou du poisson ! Ce mariage offrira une grande fraîcheur à votre assiette.
Encore plus vieux, notre XO Hors d’Age revêt une grande complexité et est caractérisé par des notes épicées et légèrement fumées en fin de bouche. Si vous consommez du fromage et plus particulièrement du fromage de brebis, il sera votre allié parfait ! Le caractère du fromage et les épices du cognac offrent une belle harmonie.
Some examples of dessert/cognac pairings
Cognac can accompany you all the way to dessert!
Si vous recherchez un peu de pep’s, vous pouvez consommer notre VSOP avec une crème brûlée ! Les arômes fruités de notre cognac se marient parfaitement avec le côté vanillé.
Finally, to end the meal on a high note, we recommend pairing a very old cognac (such as XO Hors d'Age or Renaissance) with chocolate desserts. The perfect balance.
Drink cognac as an after-dinner drink
As an after-dinner drink, it always works! For this experience, we're going to focus on exceptional cognacs, like our Renaissance or our Brut de Fût. These rare cognacs offer a real experience thanks to their complexity and aromatic power. The perfect way to end a meal!
So you've got everything you need to enjoy cognac in all its forms! So, what will you choose? Rendez-vous ici pour découvrir l’ensemble de notre gamme !
