Message 10932 of 39188 in General Discussion

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> > > I understand the defferences between "Brandy", "V.S." and 
> > V.S.O.P.", 
> 
> You sure you do? As far as I've ever been able to research, there is 
> no actual rule to it apart from price.
> The term 'cognac' is protected as a 'region of origin' mark, like 
> champagne, but although the brandy letters have meaning (oddly NOT 
> French) they don't actually mean anything!
> 
> http://www.3dhospitality.com/public_html/shopping/cognac.htm
> > E - Especial 
> > F - Fine 
> > V - Very 
> > O - Old 
> > S - Superior 
> > P - Pale 
> > X - Extra 
> > C - Cognac
> 
> Most notorious is the 'Napoleon Brandy' label which (IIRC) can be 
> used by anyone anywhere to sound fancy as it fell into common use so 
> long ago. There is a long story about that I can't recall at the 
> moment.
> 
> http://www.3dhospitality.com/public_html/shopping/cognac.htm
> ... had a great resource of terms, check it out!
> 
> Although the (less than definative) page
> http://members.tripod.com/Drinking/spirits.html
> claims that there are guidelines...
> 
> > VS, VSP, Three Star. 
> > These are Very Superior, Very Superior Pale. 
> > The brandy is aged at least two years in the cask. 
> >
> > VSOP. 
> > Very Superior Old Pale. 
> > The youngest brandy in the blend is at least four years in cask, 
> > although most are aged between ten and fifteen years. 
> >
> > XO, Luxury. 
> > Extra Old. 
> > This brandy has a minimum aged mix of six years, 
> > with many as old as twenty years. 
> > They are the best Cognacs a house will produce. 
> 
> I don't recall ever reading that there were actually enforced 
> conditions for such labelling.
> 
> Stick with the Golden Rule. If it costs more, it must be better!
I stick with the rule if you like it it's the best!! Lulu