Cognac – All You Need to Know | Instacart’s Guide to Groceries

What is cognac?

Cognac is a French alcoholic drink coveted for its intense and complex flavor. Because it is made from distilled wine, cognac is one of the many types of brandy, a class of alcoholic beverages.

What makes cognac so unique is its protected legal status. In a way, cognac is trademarked. For a bottle to be labeled as cognac, it must have been made in the French southwestern regions of Charente or Charente-Maritime. Furthermore, the grapes used to make the base wine should be Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, or Colombard, among a few other varieties—and the spirit must be aged in oak barrels.

It’s clear that the French take their cognac very seriously. If a product doesn’t meet these standards, it can’t be called cognac. Thus, when you open a bottle, you know you’re getting a fine, high-quality drink notorious for its sweet, spicy, and fruity aromas.

Where did cognac originate from?

Cognac first appeared in the 17th century, around the same time, other types of brandy did too. It was taken by ship from port to port all over the world and often traded for precious goods. With time, cognac became the drink of choice of merchants throughout Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Because it smells and tastes different from other brandies, cognac became particularly sought-after. As a response, French authorities were quick to protect the drink from other copycats. To this day, these legal protections still stand.

What is the nutritional value of cognac?

Cognac has an alcoholic content of around 40%. A 1.5fl.oz. serving—the equivalent to a shot glass—has 100 calories, give or take. Because no sugar is added to the finished drink, a serving of this spirit derives its calories entirely from alcohol.

How is cognac made?

The first step of making cognac is making a base wine. White, acidic grapes are crushed and left to ferment with wild yeast for a few weeks.

Next, cognac makers distill the base wine 2 times in copper stills. This raises the alcoholic content of the colorless liquid (also called eau de vie, or water of life) to 70%.

Then, the soon-to-be cognac is aged inside locally sourced oak barrels. The aging process takes at least 2 years, but many producers choose to let their spirits age for longer. With time, the flavor intensifies, the color changes to deep amber, and the alcoholic content lowers.

Finally, an experienced master taster blends several batches of cognac before bottling so that the spirit can get an even more complex flavor and aroma.

How do you pick cognac at the grocery store?

If all cognacs must follow very strict rules, does it make a difference which bottle you choose? Yes, it does.

For starters, it’s wise to make sure you’re buying a bottle of the real deal and not some other brandy riding on the coattails of the popular French spirit. If the label has an alternate spelling of cognac (such as “conyac”) or mentions a region other than Charente or Charente-Maritime, it’s not real cognac.

Secondly, focus on the aging. The older the cognac, the more expensive and intense it will be. There are 4 main categories a cognac can fall into:

• V.S. (Very Special) or *** (3 stars): The youngest cognacs are aged for at least 2 years in an oak cask.
• V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale) or Reserve: A cognac with this label has been aged for at least 4 years.
• XO (Extra Old): These brandies have been aged for at least 10 years.
• XXO (Extra Extra Old): This label is the most expensive you’ll find, as these brandies have been aged for a minimum of 14 years.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for cognac via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for cognac.

How to store cognac

Store your bottles of cognac in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. As long as they’re closed, will keep for decades without spoiling. Do keep in mind that cognac stops aging as soon as it’s bottled. Thus, there is no need to leave your bottles in a cellar for years, as the flavor won’t intensify.

If you’ve already opened a bottle of cognac, store it in a cool, dry, dark place. It’s recommended to drink an entire bottle within a year of opening it. With time, because the spirit gets exposed to the air, it oxidizes and loses some of its sharp notes.

How to tell if cognac is bad

Cognac doesn’t go bad in the same way that food does. Its high alcoholic content prevents mold and other microorganisms from spoiling it. Yet, cognac won’t taste as great more than a year after it’s been open. That said, if your cognac has a foul odor and odd appearance, it’s best to dump it down the drain.

What can I substitute for cognac?

Other types of brandy, particularly other French brandies, can be a great substitute in cocktails for cognac. Alternatively, if you need cognac for a recipe, swap it out with a sweet brandy, wine, bourbon, sherry, or fruit juice.

Where to buy cognac near me

You may need to visit several stores before finding the exact bottle of cognac you were looking for. Instead of going through that hassle, you can just order cognac online via Instacart. Choose the bottle you want, add it to your cart, and get it delivered to your door in under 2 hours! This way, you can spend more time doing what you love and less time endlessly browsing the liquor aisles.

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