Kizlyar cognacs (Dagestan). Comments of consumers about Kizlyar cognacs

Connoisseurs of elite alcohol know and love Kizlyar cognacs. Dagestan drinks have their own flavor, inimitable aroma and taste. This article will tell you about the history of the founding of the famous Kizlyar Plant, as well as about current production trends and consumer opinions.

a brief description of

Kizlyar cognac began to be produced at the plant with the same name. Brief description of the enterprise :

• It was founded in 1885.
• Direction of activity - production of brandy for cognac technology (classical model).
• Region - Terek Valley.
• The address is Dagestan, Kizlyar.
• The area of the vineyards is 11.5 hectares.
• Varieties and average age of the vines - "shasla", "Riesling", "ter black", "rkatsiteli", 8 years.
• Director - Grikoryants VS
• Awards - "Supplier of the Moscow Kremlin".

History of Kizlyar

The city of Kizlyar, famous for its winemakers, is located in the heart of the wonderful mountainous country of Dagestan, among the fertile plains beyond the high peaks of the mountains. It was he who gave Russia and other states famous Kizlyar cognacs, which many connoisseurs of strong drinks revere and love. Each page of the history of this city is saturated with fine aromas of mountain air, the coolness of the Terek and the gentle sun of the Caucasus.

The history of the city dates back to the seventeenth century. At that time the Kizlyar transition, connecting the Caucasus with the East, was of great importance. Local residents bred sheep and conducted successful trade with visiting merchants. The mild climate, good fertile land and high yields spurred the Kizlyar people to cultivate orchards and vineyards. Due to weather conditions, young shoots of trees and vines quickly went into growth, and soon the inhabitants of Kizlyar began to get good harvests of various fruits, including grapes. But it will be a long time before the Kizlyar cognacs become well-known.

How did cognac appeared in Kizlyar?

The status of winemakers for the first time in history was determined by Peter I by a decree on the freedom of distilling. Since then, trade people have been drawn to Kizlyar from all corners of the globe. Grape growers from Germany and France brought here rare varieties of grapes and began to plant it patiently in this fertile land. Local wine makers used traditional varieties of berries to produce their products. In addition, they used the technology to open new private distilleries.

Well-known in the development of new technologies for the production of winemaking is not in vain Kizlyar masters. After all, they noted the unique taste and notes of the local grapes, which in the future helped them create a wonderful Kizlyar cognac, which will be loved by many admirers of strong alcohol. All these knowledge winemakers successfully used in the production of a new product - vodka called "Kizlyarka." According to visiting French, this drink after aging in oak barrels to taste very much resembled cognac. It had a mild taste, a light amber color and barely perceptible floral scents. It is this vodka that has become in the future the prototype of such a strong alcoholic drink as Kizlyar cognac (photo there is an article). "Kizlyarka" for quite a long time and successfully competed with French vodka and had its own wide circle of admirers.

Cognac production in the 19th century

Cognac production in Russia appeared on the basis of wine and vodka smoking in Kizlyar and passed an independent path of development. Winemakers who were able to produce "Kizlyarka", it was known for a long time that Kizlyar cognac (Dagestan) was prepared by prolonged aging of grape alcohol obtained at the fire factories. In 1884 the law on fruit and wine-vodka production was issued. Thanks to him the fire factories were revived, and this, in turn, was at the benefit of the large Russian breeders of alcoholic products.

"Star" brandy

There is a classification of cognacs for quality. Distinguish the following species or groups of this type of drink:

• Ordinary. This cognac is made from grape alcohol, aged from three to five years.
• Cognac *** (3 stars) is prepared from alcohols with an exposure of not less than 3 years. Has a 40% strength.
• Cognac **** (4 stars) has an age of cognac spirits not less than four years. The fortress of this drink is 41%.
• Cognac ***** (5-star). In the production of this alcohol involved cognac spirits five years ago. Fortress of the drink - 42%. According to the rating, so many stars mark the best brands of cognac.

The following marking of the drink - brandy brandy (Kizlyar or any other - is always given a certain name). It, in turn, is divided into:

• KV - cognac aged, the average age is 6-7 years, the strength is 42%.
• KVVK - high quality cognac. Exposure is ten years, fortress - 43-45%.
• Group of cognacs KS and OC - cognac old and very old - made from raw materials with aging for more than a decade, alcohol content - 40-57%.

There are also collectible varieties of Kizlyar alcohol. This branded cognac, which is aged in oak barrels over five years in addition.

The development of cognac production in the 19-20th centuries

At the beginning of the 20th century, the talented Georgian businessman David Saradzhishvili owned the Kizlyar Plant. Until 1917, under his name, alcoholic beverages were produced. These Kizlyar cognacs received not only in Russia but also abroad, more than ten different diplomas and medals.

To my great regret, during the period from 1917 to 1947 the year, practically nothing is known about the work of the cognac factory in Kizlyar. But in 1947 the production of new alcoholic products began, and very soon five-star cognac "Kizlyar" appeared on the shelves. In 1951 a four-star drink was produced, in 1952 - a three-star drink. To produce this strong alcohol, the equipment used by David Sarajishvili was used.

In 1955, the cognac Kizlyar KV came to light - this is the first vintage alcohol with an endurance of at least six years. On the day of the significant date - the accession of Kizlyar to Dagestan and the celebration of the fortieth anniversary of Soviet power - the cognac of the group KVVK "Jubilee Dagestan" was issued. These alcoholic beverages are firmly entrenched in the market, have their admirers and please them with their unforgettable and special taste.

Technological process of cognac production

Cognac produced at the Kizlyar plant is very prosaic. Initially, the raw material is supplied to the wine material workshop in reinforced concrete tanks. Further, it falls into the hardware department, where it is subjected to double distillation. This action takes place with the help of special equipment - continuous distillation units. The initial product of the first distillation is raw alcohol. The next stage is the second distillation, where in the process alcohol is divided into three fractions:

• Head;
• Average;
• Tail.

The next stage of production, in which Kizlyar brandies are being taught in the future, is the aging department. It receives alcohol strength from 60 to 70 degrees. It is from the middle fraction that cognac is produced. It is aged in the process of production, both in oak barrels and in enameled containers on oak rivets. By the way, the latter is applicable only for ordinary, 3-, 4-, 5-star cognac drinks.

The process of aging of alcohols is carried out at a certain temperature within the range of +15 ... + 27 degrees. Also, certain air humidity and air exchange index are needed. In the process of aging, the barrels are used several times.

After the future cognac passes the aging process, it enters the blending shop. Here, cognac alcohol is mixed with purified water, color and syrup. Prepared in this way blend lasts a certain time (from 3 months to a year). Only after this brandy is bottled and enters the retail network.

Cognac "Three stars" (kizlyar)

This cognac is most common among lovers of strong drinks. Its formulation was developed back in 1952. The technology of production assumes the use of cognac spirits with an exposure of 3 years. This wonderful drink has a golden hue. The taste is harmonious, in which there are light floral scents.

Cognac "Five stars" (Kizlyar)

In 1947, the recipe for this Kizlyar brandy was developed. For making alcohol, cognac spirits are used for 5 years. A distinctive feature of the production of this drink is that yeast is added to the wine material during distillation, after that cognac oil is formed - so it is called specialists. Thanks to this, the taste of the drink becomes much softer. Kizlyar cognac "5 stars" has a dark golden hue, a soft pleasant taste, in which a vanilla-floral bouquet is clearly heard. At various exhibitions and competitions this drink was awarded many prizes more than once.

Cognac "Dagestan"

This remarkable Kizlyar brandy was invented in 1968 for the fiftieth anniversary of the Republic of Dagestan. It is created from the best cognac spirits obtained by traditional double distillation. The period of their endurance is 13 years. Its color is dark amber. The bouquet of the drink is quite complicated, it is dominated by vanilla tones with shades of chocolate. At international competitions this cognac was awarded nine gold, eight silver and three bronze medals.

Cognac "Kizlyar"

The recipe of this drink was created in 1959. It is made from cognac spirits with an endurance of not less than ten years. This Kizlyar cognac (photo above in the article) refers to the brand group of COP. It has a dark amber color. The bouquet is very good and harmonious. Also, the drink has numerous awards and medals, like the previous species.

"Kizlyar festive"

This cognac was created for the 110th anniversary of the Kizlyar Plant. The drink was formulated in 1994. Cognac spirits for the "Kizlyar festive" are exposed for at least 17 years. This is a wonderful Kizlyar cognac. Reviews Consumers testify that a beautiful drink of dark color has a harmonious and soft taste with hints of vanilla and resins. The alcohol content is 41%.

Customer Reviews

How many people, so many opinions. Reviews about the taste of Kizlyar cognac vary: there are negative, and vice versa. For example, fans of Crimean alcoholic beverages often praise Kizlyar cognacs. According to experts, these varieties have a pleasant aroma and unusual taste. Many choose cognac "Five stars". Fans of this species note a dense scent, in which there are some ethereal notes. In their opinion, the taste of cognac is soft enough, but there is a little floral smell in it. In their reviews, connoisseurs of Kizlyar drinks note that cognac can be consumed in pure form. The taste of alcohol is soft enough, so it is not necessary to drink it or dilute it. Despite this, many people add Kizlyar brandy to cocktails. The plus of this product is low cost. Buyers often leave positive feedback, noting the low price of Kizlyar's drinks. In the opinion of the majority, this is one of the most important advantages of cognac products of Dagestan.

However, it is widely believed that all the cognacs of the Kizlyar Wine and Vodka Plant are falsified. Therefore, not everyone is at risk of acquiring this product. Often, negative opinions are left by those buyers who overdid with the amount of alcohol and earned a headache for the morning. But most connoisseurs of elite drinks note that Kizlyar cognac is very easy to drink and does not cause negative emotions.