NATIONAL COGNAC DAY

Each year on June 4, brandy lovers and distillers celebrate National Cognac Day. A well-known variety of brandy, Cognac was named after Cognac, France, where it is produced. The region is also known for vineyards and producing wine.

A distilled brandy must meet certain legal requirements within the production to bear the name Cognac. In fact, one requirement during production includes the use of a particular variety of grape called Ugni Blanc. Additionally, the brandy needs to be distilled twice in copper pot stills where the brandy must age the brandy at least two years in French oak barrels from Limousin or Troncais. However, most distillers age their cognacs much longer than the minimum legal requirement. Producers create close to 200 cognacs to choose from. According to one 2008 estimate, more than 90% of cognac for the U.S. market comes from only four producers.?

There are also different ways of drinking cognac. Some people love to enjoy the spirit on its own and savore it neat or over ice. Others even dilute it with a little water. However, cognac is also be used to create a variety of cocktails, too. The next time you order a Manhattan, ask for them to use cognac and see the flavor rise to a new leve