Cognac is the most famous brand in the world. In India, when cognac is often associated with Bollywood, "Cognac sharaab Nahi hoti" was said by Rishi Kapoor in Chandni 1989 and then by Shahrukh Khan to Kajol in DDLJ 6 years later. If you read between the lines and try to understand the deeper meaning, it may relate to what the upper classes of India think of a yogi, of sophistication in general. Well, the brand certainly deserves credit for everything it goes through to produce lead-free crystal. Cognac is made from the Ugni Blanc grape, double distilled in a special copper still called charentais still, and then aged for at least 2 years in oak barrels, either new or barrels that contained wine or wine-based alcohol.
Today, a sherry or cask finish is quite common in the cognac world. The time they spend in the barrel is expressed as VS, VSOP and XO in increasing order of 2 years, 4 years and 10 years. The year numbers indicate the youngest cognac in the bottle, the oldest can be 5 decades old. This is where the art of mixing cognac comes in.
India's brandy market is largest in the South Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where blue-collar drinkers drink locally produced brandy (mostly made from molasses) and premium brandy.
Here is the list-
1. Martell:
The oldest of the four great houses of Cognac, the Martell house was found in 1715 by an Englishman. The brand is now owned by Pernod Ricard and is known for its Borderies-centric cognac. Borderies is a subregion where the land or growing medium gives a floral tone.
Known for its special Fine Champagne cognac, a blend of Grande and Petit Champagne, the most prestigious regions known for their long-lasting cognacs. It also produces Louis XIII cognac at 3 lakhs plus a bottle.
3. Hennessy:
The market leader in the cognac world, Hennessy has a 50% market share worldwide. Irishman Richard Hennessy discovered it in 1765 and today it is owned by the conglomerate LVMH. They claim that cognac has more than 70 cellars.
4. Delamain:
Founded in 1759, Delamain is one of the oldest and still family cognac houses. They make only Grand Champagne cognacs and only XO cognacs, which immediately raised them to the top.
5. Godet:
Found in 1783, this is a departure from the plot because the house is located on the Atlantic coast in the Cognac city of La Rochelle. Going back in history, this was the city where distilling technology met modern wines. At the time it was called "Brandwijn" in Dutch, which translates to burnt wine. Today, cognac is the most smoked wine in the world.
6.Otard:
Made at Chateau de Cognac, home of Francis I, the founder of the French Renaissance. Otard was discovered in 1795 by Jean Baptiste Otard. He was the mayor of Cognac until his death. The brand is now owned by Bacardi. This cognac is matured in cellars high above the Charente river, with very high humidity and dry cellars above ground, giving the final result more of a blend.
7.Camus:
A family business founded in 1863, Camus has focused on the Borderies since the 1990s and also has 100% Borderies XO Cognac, their signature brandy. They are also one of those whose repertoire includes wine aging.
8.Courvoisier:
Courvoisier is the only official supplier of Napoleon and has since enjoyed the honor of the title "Napoleon Brand". They were also the toast for the "opening" of the Eiffel Tower.
9.Hine:
Found in 1763 and located in the heart of Grande Champagne. Hine is known for its vintage cognacs and especially the "Hine Early-Landed Vintage Cognac" whose barrels mature in the humid cellars of the city of Bristol, England. This English connection goes back to Thomas Hise, who was originally English.
10. Louis Royer:
Founded in 1853, the brand is located in the town of Jarnac on the banks of the Charente river. You cannot miss their logo, the bee that represents hard work and determination that produces honey as well as the dedicated hands that make good cognac.
