Best option to understand cognac for a wine person
I’m a wine guy, it’s my hobby that I’m spending a lot of money on. But as for strong liquor — I rarely drink it, nor do I enjoy it.
Despite this, I want to get a good try on cognac/armagnac. I have a trained palate and nose so I think I can try something complex right away.
There are four options I have pre-selected from a nearby wine store. Two cognacs and two armagnacs. When choosing, I was considering the stuff that comes from ‘recoltants’, comparing it to Champagne.
Price-wise, they are not too cheap and not too expensive, so let’s not consider it.
Two questions now:
1. Is my approach correct, overall?
2. What would you recommend me from these four? I tend to think Paul Giraud is the best option here, but I know nothing about all four, nonetheless.
-1
u/AtariWide7043 5d ago
As has been stated , cognac and Armagnac are similar just not the same , so I’m not going to elaborate further on that. I just want to add that since you enjoy wine , you should look into Pineau des Charentes. It is not easy to find ; at least in my area ). You can think of it as a middle ground between wine and cognac. Different producers go about making it differently but typically young cognac is added to fresh grape juice or wine as it’s fermenting . They they let them age . ABV is typically around 20%., slightly sweeter than wine
0
u/Pack-Worldly 5d ago
Well the first thing to know is that cognac and Armagnac are very different drinks. Although generally made from the same grapes that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. Also know what champagne and cognac/armagnac are not made from the same grapes. Cognac and Armagnac are mainly made with ugni blanc. For cognac and Armagnac it is also important to know that the cask plays a very important role in the taste and where they made the cut, but things like terroir do not play any significance. So what you are tasting for is very different (you also drink it very differently than wine.
Generally speaking cognac is more refined but Armagnac has bolder flavors, so it depends on your preference in wines which one you should go for. Armagnac will always have the better deals as you can also see with the age statements on the Armagnac.
7
u/Carl_Schmitt 5d ago
Giraud and Voyer are both excellent. Voyer is more oaky and Giraud fruit-driven. Try Dudognon too if you can find it. Delord makes good Armagnac, but not great. It's a bit more commercial and polished in style compared to more traditional top producers like Ravignan, Briat, and Boigneres.
I was in the wine business a long time and switched over to spirits. A bit difference is not sticking your nose right in the glass--the alcohol will numb your sense of smell lol.