Cognacs XO, VS, VSOP. Explanation of mysterious letters

Each person approaches to a choice of alcoholic drinks in general and cognac in particular in view of the personal preferences. In addition to their own taste sensations, usually attention is drawn to the manufacturer, brand and endurance.

Everyone is familiar with the asterisks decorating labels of cognacs of domestic production. However, on bottles of foreign production are indicated the mysterious letters XO, VS, VSOP. Deciphering these abbreviations causes difficulties for many not very sophisticated connoisseurs of elite drink.

We will clarify this question.

French roots

To begin with, it should be noted that cognac is a product that is produced exclusively in France. All other beverages, according to international economic agreements, do not have the right to wear such a name. Therefore, the interpretation of VS, VSOP, XO and other abbreviations for alcoholic beverages in Armenia or Georgia is not required. All the necessary information, from the time of exposure and ending with the place of spill, is indicated on the label and is absolutely clear to everyone.

By the way, the technology of production of the varieties of alcoholic drinks under consideration is absolutely identical. Therefore, whether it is an asterisk or VSOP, the transcript indicates one thing - how many years of brandy alcohol it was kept in special barrels.

The only thing I want to mention in addition is the careful and quivering attitude of the French towards this national drink. They carefully monitor compliance with all quality standards, regardless of the combinations of XO, VS, VSOP. Decryption is not required, you can simply enjoy an unrivaled taste.

Production technology

As is known, grape alcohol is the basis of cognac. However, the true taste and bouquet he achieves only after a certain time of exposure, which occurs in special oak barrels.

During this process, the original product undergoes a huge number of different transformations. From it some substances evaporate, spoiling the taste of the final drink. The organic material of the walls of the barrel gives the drink a taste appreciated by all.

These natural processes proceed at a very low rate. Therefore, the process of creating a truly elite drink can take many years. The minimum period that is necessary for a spirited alcohol to bear the proud name cognac is at least one and a half years. Only after that it acquires soft velvety notes with a slight aroma of oak and the color of mahogany.

My years are my wealth

Earlier each manufacturer created its own marking system, which was indicated on bottles of cognac. Therefore, to establish how many years this or that drink was aged in special oak barrels, it was very difficult.

Only after the creation of the National French Bureau responsible for the production of cognac in the territory of this country, combinations XO, VSOP, VS were invented, the decoding of which already does not cause any difficulties and indicates the age of the drink.

Classification

Any specialist is able to distinguish all the changes occurring in cognac spirit at the very beginning of his maturation. Therefore, the combination of VS or VSOP, the decoding of which is so interesting to inexperienced buyers, is not very important for him. The main task of these abbreviations is to distinguish beverages, the maturity of which is close to 10 years.

This is especially true for controlling the production process and the quality of the finished product.

So, the following terms of aging are distinguished:

• XO - the period of aging of cognac alcohol in a barrel of oak should exceed 6 years;

• VVSOP - the process of making this drink is at least 5 years;

• VSOP - the drink gets into bottles after 4 years of aging;

• VS - the minimum shelf life in an oak barrel is 2 years.

Conclusion

Finally, we note that the time of cognac aging is calculated from the first of April of the year following the spill. Therefore, in most cases, the duration of the drink in the barrel is slightly larger than the one indicated on the label, which has a beneficial effect on its taste.