Otard Cognac
It was at the Chateau de Cognac, in 1494, that Francis the First, one of the greatest Kings of France was born. Three centuries later, in 1795, the Baron Otard founded his Cognac company and showed a marvellous sense of intuition, when he decided to age his stock of fine Cognac within the massive walls of the same Chateau.
TOP QUALITY COGNACS, COMBINING TRADITION AND MODERNISM
With its long and eventful history stretching back over 200 years, Otard benefits from all its intrinsic advantages which go to make up a unique cognac:- 200 years of know-how, enabling its Cognacs to maintain all their genuine features,- Unique ageing conditions: the cellars of Château de Cognac have 3-metre thick walls and an extremely high level of humidity resulting from the proximity of the Charente river. Such a unique environment plays a determinant role in the maturity of thes eaux-de-vie.- Stringent monitoring throughout the production process to guarantee a final product of faultless quality in full compliance with the style of the brand.
THE ART OF THE BOTTLE
In 1968, Otard creates a tear-drop bottle. The design drew its inspiration from the cognac itself. When cognac is swirled inside a glass, to bring out better the fullness of its aromas, it leaves a fine film on the sides from which a few droplets run down. The cognac is said to be weeping. These tears inspired the shape of the bottle. For over thirty years, this shape has remained the constant theme of all Otard designs. Its pure lines and its simplicity go hand in hand with the constant thrust for sobriety, elegance and modernism.
Cognac
Can you explain the different classifications of cognac?
No cognac can be sold without having been aged for at least two and a half years, as from October 1 of the year of the harvest. It is the age of the youngest spirit used in the blend which determines the age of a cognac.The main qualities are recognised by official decree:. VS (Very Special) or *** (Three Stars): the youngest spirit must be at least two and a half years old.. VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale): the youngest spirit must be at least four and a half years old.. NAPOLEON, XO (Extra Old), EXTRA: the youngest spirit must be at least six and a half years old. A cognac House wishing to give another name to one of its qualities must have it registered with the National Cognac Trade Office (BNIC) and it must fall into one of the VS, VSOP or XO categories. The name must also correspond to the minimum age of the category to which it belongs. For example, XO Gold was registered by Otard with the BNIC in the XO category.
What does VSOP Fine Champagne mean?
VSOP is the abbreviation of Very Superior Old Pale. Fine Champagne means that the blend consists exclusively of Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne, with a minimum of 50% of Grande Champagne.
In certain countries, people drink cognac throughout the meal, on the rocks or with water. Do you not think that the addition of water, even ice cubes, alters the taste of the cognac?
That form of consumption can be found in fact in many countries throughout the world, especially in Asia. It is all a question of proportion and sensitivity. A very small quantity of water can stimulate certain aromas. Too much water can spoil the aromas. The addition of ice cubes is the same, indirectly, as adding water but in progressive doses. Once the ice cubes have been added, it is best to wait for the ideal point of dissolution, i.e. the point most suited to the palate of the taster. Excessive cooling will impair the perception of extremely subtle and volatile aromas. It is therefore all a question of moderation and taste. Our Cellar Master prefers the ice cube effect, which is more progressive, enabling the capture of changing and varied sensations on the nose.
What is the difference between a brandy and a cognac? Can a cognac be a brandy?
Brandy is a wine eau-de-vie-based spirit, aged in oak barrels for at least 6 months and its alcoholic strength is at least 36 % alc. Vol.Cognac is a wine eau-de-vie-based spirit from the delineated region of Cognac and produced according to a very specific method:. White grapes. Wine from the delineated region of Cognac. A specific vinification process (without any addition of sugar). Alcoholic strength: at least 40 % alc. Vol.. Double distillation in a Charente copper pot-still. Ageing (at least 2 and a half years). Blending by the Cellar Master.If any one of these points is not observed, the product will not be entitled to the appellation of "cognac". That means:All cognacs are brandies, but not all brandies are cognacsCognac benefits from an Appellation of Controlled Origin (AOC).Cognac is a heavily protected product. The French Government maintains constant controls through the National Cognac Trade Office (BNIC).
The Château as it stands today is a far cry from the original fortress of the 11th century built to repel the Norman invasions. It became the object of much envy and power play between its successive residents from English and French royal families in turn.
It survived the dreadful times of the Hundred Years War, before becoming the setting for the splendour of the Court of François 1er. During the French Revolution, it became a National Property.
Baron Otard bought it by auction in 1796 for the ageing of his Cognac.
This 13th century ceremonial Room is the oldest in the Château. It owes its name to the emblem on the chimney breast, with in the centre a front view of a plumed helmet. A bear cub and a swan stand on each side of the coat of arms of the Valois of Angoulême.
A second superimposed chimney reveals that there was a first floor in the past. An elegant heater can be seen to the right of the chimney ensuring a comfortable temperature for those near the hearth.
It was here that Richard the Lionheart blessed the marriage of his son, Philippe of Falconbridge, with Amélie de Cognac around 1190.
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY
TOP QUALITY COGNACS, COMBINING TRADITION AND MODERNISM
With its long and eventful history stretching back over 200 years, Otard benefits from all its intrinsic advantages which go to make up a unique cognac:- 200 years of know-how, enabling its Cognacs to maintain all their genuine features,- Unique ageing conditions: the cellars of Château de Cognac have 3-metre thick walls and an extremely high level of humidity resulting from the proximity of the Charente river. Such a unique environment plays a determinant role in the maturity of thes eaux-de-vie.- Stringent monitoring throughout the production process to guarantee a final product of faultless quality in full compliance with the style of the brand.
THE ART OF THE BOTTLE
In 1968, Otard creates a tear-drop bottle. The design drew its inspiration from the cognac itself. When cognac is swirled inside a glass, to bring out better the fullness of its aromas, it leaves a fine film on the sides from which a few droplets run down. The cognac is said to be weeping. These tears inspired the shape of the bottle. For over thirty years, this shape has remained the constant theme of all Otard designs. Its pure lines and its simplicity go hand in hand with the constant thrust for sobriety, elegance and modernism.
Cognac
Can you explain the different classifications of cognac?
No cognac can be sold without having been aged for at least two and a half years, as from October 1 of the year of the harvest. It is the age of the youngest spirit used in the blend which determines the age of a cognac.The main qualities are recognised by official decree:. VS (Very Special) or *** (Three Stars): the youngest spirit must be at least two and a half years old.. VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale): the youngest spirit must be at least four and a half years old.. NAPOLEON, XO (Extra Old), EXTRA: the youngest spirit must be at least six and a half years old. A cognac House wishing to give another name to one of its qualities must have it registered with the National Cognac Trade Office (BNIC) and it must fall into one of the VS, VSOP or XO categories. The name must also correspond to the minimum age of the category to which it belongs. For example, XO Gold was registered by Otard with the BNIC in the XO category.
What does VSOP Fine Champagne mean?
VSOP is the abbreviation of Very Superior Old Pale. Fine Champagne means that the blend consists exclusively of Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne, with a minimum of 50% of Grande Champagne.
In certain countries, people drink cognac throughout the meal, on the rocks or with water. Do you not think that the addition of water, even ice cubes, alters the taste of the cognac?
That form of consumption can be found in fact in many countries throughout the world, especially in Asia. It is all a question of proportion and sensitivity. A very small quantity of water can stimulate certain aromas. Too much water can spoil the aromas. The addition of ice cubes is the same, indirectly, as adding water but in progressive doses. Once the ice cubes have been added, it is best to wait for the ideal point of dissolution, i.e. the point most suited to the palate of the taster. Excessive cooling will impair the perception of extremely subtle and volatile aromas. It is therefore all a question of moderation and taste. Our Cellar Master prefers the ice cube effect, which is more progressive, enabling the capture of changing and varied sensations on the nose.
What is the difference between a brandy and a cognac? Can a cognac be a brandy?
Brandy is a wine eau-de-vie-based spirit, aged in oak barrels for at least 6 months and its alcoholic strength is at least 36 % alc. Vol.Cognac is a wine eau-de-vie-based spirit from the delineated region of Cognac and produced according to a very specific method:. White grapes. Wine from the delineated region of Cognac. A specific vinification process (without any addition of sugar). Alcoholic strength: at least 40 % alc. Vol.. Double distillation in a Charente copper pot-still. Ageing (at least 2 and a half years). Blending by the Cellar Master.If any one of these points is not observed, the product will not be entitled to the appellation of "cognac". That means:All cognacs are brandies, but not all brandies are cognacsCognac benefits from an Appellation of Controlled Origin (AOC).Cognac is a heavily protected product. The French Government maintains constant controls through the National Cognac Trade Office (BNIC).
The Château as it stands today is a far cry from the original fortress of the 11th century built to repel the Norman invasions. It became the object of much envy and power play between its successive residents from English and French royal families in turn.
It survived the dreadful times of the Hundred Years War, before becoming the setting for the splendour of the Court of François 1er. During the French Revolution, it became a National Property.
Baron Otard bought it by auction in 1796 for the ageing of his Cognac.
This 13th century ceremonial Room is the oldest in the Château. It owes its name to the emblem on the chimney breast, with in the centre a front view of a plumed helmet. A bear cub and a swan stand on each side of the coat of arms of the Valois of Angoulême.
A second superimposed chimney reveals that there was a first floor in the past. An elegant heater can be seen to the right of the chimney ensuring a comfortable temperature for those near the hearth.
It was here that Richard the Lionheart blessed the marriage of his son, Philippe of Falconbridge, with Amélie de Cognac around 1190.
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY
posted by alexsakne at 4:57 AM
1 Comments:
I have a bottle of very old baron otard VSOP Fine Champagne Cognac in a box and wondered if it is worth anything to anyone?
I would guess it is from the 1970's.
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