What's the difference between cognac & armanac other than where they are grown?!
Answers: I already know there both grown in france.I know they have different names due to growing regions.What I don't know is do they use different grapes or distilling processes or maybe aged differently."Please Help" an avid cognac drinker who also likes armanac.Thank You
It's to do with the different soils that the grapes come from, making the grapes taste slightly different. Also, armagnac is usually only distilled once, as opposed to cognac which is distilled twice, so armagnac retains more fruit flavour; also, armagnac is mostly distilled using the 'column still' process, whereas cognac is distilled using the 'pot still' process.
Armagnac and Cognac and just different types of Brandies based on the region of france where the grapes where grown and distilled.
the main difference is the emphasis on either scent (cognac) or taste (armanac). The distillation process is the same.
The fact they come from different places is actually very important because everything else follows from that -- the regulations that apply in Cognac and Armagnac specify which grapes can be grown for the respective brandies, how the brandy is distilled, and how long it is aged for.
And you'll find the taste of them is different. Personally I prefer Armagnac as it is a bit more rustic, has a bit more interesting flavor, but we all prefer different things.
Very briefly, some differences
ARMAGNAC
Grapes used
- Ugni Blanc
- Colombard
- Baco Blanc*
Distillation
-various methods including continuous still
Ageing
- minimum 2 years
COGNAC
Grapes used
- Ugni Blanc
Distillation
-pot still
Ageing
- minimum 3 years
*very interestingly (at least to me), this is a French-American hybrid variety. Hybrids are normally outlawed in the EU.