4 - Fruit Spirits Flashcards
Why are almost all fruit spirits grown locally?
So that they can be processed quickly
Why is it important that fruits are processed quickly when used to make spirits?
Once fruits have been harvested, they’re at risk of spoilage
They can deteriorate rapidly and develop off-aromas that would spoil a spirit
What are the two ways in which most fruit spirits are processed?
Crushed/pressed then fermented and distilled
Macerated in a neutral spirit
Are all types of grapes used equally in production of spirits?
No
White grapes are used far more commonly
What is the biggest region in France dedicated to grape spirits?
Cognac
What features are sought in grapes for Cognac?
High acidity
Relatively unaromatic
Why is the relative lack of aroma in grapes for Cognac not a problem?
Distillation concentrates the delicate floral and fruity aromas
T or F
Vines from the same variety can produce grapes with different characteristics
True if they are grown in different areas
Describe the stylistic difference in Pisco
They opt for highly aromatic grapes with grape aromas
Give an overview of brandy production
Crushed
Pressed
Fermented
Stored
Distilled
At what point in brandy production is there a waiting period? Why is this?
Between fermentation and distillation
Because there is only one harvest per year
Why must brandy producers distil all of their wine within a few months of fermentation?
Because the protection offered in storage is not absolute
What is the mass of discarded grape skins called?
Pomace
What can Pomace be used for?
To make a spirit called pomace brandy
How is pomace brandy processed from white grapes?
After pressing, white grapes skins are still moist and retain some grape juice
The skins can be mixed with water and the liquid fermented
Describe the process of making pomace brandy from black grapes
Wine is drained off the skins and pressed
Remaining alcohol on the pomace means that it can be distilled immediately
T or F: Spirit made from wine and spirit made from pomace will taste the same
False
The presence of skins gives pomace brandy its trademark herbaceous, spicy aromas
Why might maceration be used to process fruit for spirits
Because it’s difficult to get enough juice out of these fruits
Besides using maceration to extract flavour, why else might a producer choose to macerate?
To avoid the aromas created by fermenting the fruit
What is the simplest name for a drink where fruit is macerated in neutral spirit?
High quality flavoured vodka
What kind of stills are used to make the majority of high quality fruit spirits?
Pot stills
The spirit style which is LESS likely to use more than one still type is…
Grape spirit
Most spirits made from…and…are matured in oak barrels
Grapes
Apples
What will the producers of the best brandies often do as regards oak maturation? Why?
Mature the new spirit in new oak for 1-2 year and then transfer to old oak for a further period
To ensure that the brandies have a distinct oak character, but not one that overwhelms the fruit and floral characteristics
Where might the options come from if a blender wants options?
Grape varieties
Regions
Maturation choices
What kind of fruit spirits are often NOT oak-matured? What is used instead?
Many pomace brandies and other fruit spirits
Resting in inert vessels
How long might fruit spirits be rested in inert vessels?
Usually for a short time
Sometimes for a number of years
What will happen to a fruit spirit if it is rested for a long time in inert vessels?
Textures and flavours round out and become more complex
List the stages of production for a fruit spirit (white)
Crush - Press - Ferment - Distill - Mature - Colour - Sweeten
List the stages of production for a fruit spirit (red)
Crush - Ferment - Press - Distill - Mature - Colour - Sweeten
List the stages of production for a white pomace brandy
Crush - Press - Dilute skins - Ferment - Distill - Mature - Colour - Sweeten
…is home to three of the most important fruit spirits. Name them.
France
Cognac, Armagnac and Calvados
…is the most widely recognised grape brandy in the world
Cognac
Where is the region of Cognac?
Just to the north of Bordeaux
Where are the best sub-regions of Cognac?
Surrounding the town of Cognac itself
T or F: Cognac can only be made from one grape variety
F
It can be made from several varieties
What is the most commonly used variety of grape in making Cognac?
Ugni Blanc
What are the signature aromas of Ugni Blanc?
Raisin and Violets
When are grapes picked for Cognac?
Autumn
When must the distillation of Cognac be completed?
By the end of March the year following harvest
How must Cognac be distilled?
It must be double-distilled in copper pot stills
What are the two rare features of stills used to make Cognac?
They must be directly heated with flames
They must use an older style of condenser, known as worm tub
Briefly describe worm tub condensers
The vessel containing the coolant is as big as the pot still
Inside the vessel is a single copper pipe in which vapours condense back into a liquid
What is the head of a Cognac still known as?
A Chapiteau
What is the neck of a copper still in Cognac known as? Give two names
Col de cygne
Swan neck
What is the minimum maturation requirement for Cognac?
2 years in oak barrels
What is the common maturation convention for Cognac?
Start in new oak barrels and and finish in older oak
The vast majority of Cognacs are…
Blends
To get the diversity they need, what can Cognac distillers take advantage of?
Grapes from different sub-regions
Oak management
Spirits of different ages
Why might a Cognac be moved from wood into an inert vessel? What is this vessel called?
Because the producer believes there is no more benefit to be gained from leaving it in the barrel
Glass demijohns
What will happen to heavily matured Cognacs once ready for release?
They are rarely if ever sold on their own
They’re used sparingly to add depth and complexity to a producer’s most prestigious blends
How might even further complexity be created from Cognacs being barrel-aged?
By taking advantage of the different temperatures in a warehouse
What may happen to a Cognac after maturation and before bottling?
Slight sweetening
Caramel colouring
What do Cognac age indicators tell us?
They guarantee the age of the youngest spirit in the blend
What are the age indicators of Cognac?
VS (Very Special) - 2 years
VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) - 4 years
XO (Extra Old)/Hors d’age - 10 years
What is considered the best sub-region for growing Cognac grapes?
Grande Champagne
Besides Grande Champagne, what are the two other regions of high repute in Cognac?
Petite Champagne
Borderies
What can we tell about a Cognac if we see one of its prestigious sub-regions appearing on a label?
100% of the grapes must’ve come from that sub-region
What does ‘Fine Champagne’ tell us about a Cognac?
That at least 50% of the grapes used must’ve come from Grande Champagne and the remainder from Petite Champagne
Broadly describe VS Cognac flavours/aromas
Distinct fruit and oak aromas
Slightly sharp texture
Broadly describe VSOP Cognac flavours/aromas
Richer and fuller than VS
Some mature aromas
Broadly describe XO Cognac flavours/aromas
Seamlessly integrated
Raisin, floral, oak, rancio
Smooth mouthfeel
Where is the Armagnac region?
South of Bordeaux
What is the most widely planted grape in Armagnac?
Ugni Blanc
What are the three most important grapes in Armagnac?
Ugni Blanc
Baco Blanc
Folle Blanche
Describe the key characteristics of Armagnacs three key grape varieties
Ugni Blanc - Raisin and Violets
Baco Blanc - Prunes
Folle Blanche - Pronounced floral aromas
Describe the use of stills in Armagnac
Cognac-style pot stills can be used
Unique, short column stills more common
Describe the impact of using short column stills in Armagnac
Very characterful, low strength spirits
Summarise the post-distillations processes in Armagnac
Similar to Cognac
What are the two notable differences between production in Armagnac and Cognac?
Vintage dated products are far more common in Armagnac
Distillers can sell Armagnac Blanche
What is a vintage dated Armagnac?
All grapes used must be harvested in the same year
What is Armagnac Blanche
It’s simply not matured in oak, but rested in inert vessels for a few months prior to release
What’s the general character of Armagnac Blanche?
Expressive and fruity
What kind of producer is one more likely to find in Armagnac?
Small producers rather than large companies
Besides vintage and ‘Blanche’, what unique term might it be possible to find in Armagnac?
Chateau
T or F: Vintage dated products only appear in Armagnac
False
Although rare in Cognac, these products do still appear
What are the maturation designations in Armagnac? What is the minimum age of the youngest spirit in the blend?
Blanche - 3 months in stainless steel
VS (Very Special) - 1 year
VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) - 4 years
Hors d’age, Vintage, XO (Extra Old) - 10 years
What are the two most important sub regions of Armagnac?
Bas-Armagnac
Armagnac-Ténarèze
Where is Calvados made?
In Normandy
The far north of France
What is used to make Calvados?
Apples or Pears
What single fruit is Calvados most commonly made from? Why?
Apples
They are far more widely grown than pears
What kind of stills are used to make Calvados?
A wide variety
The pot stills used in Calvados are similar to…
Those used in Cognac
The column stills in Calvados share a lot of similarities with those used in…including…
Armagnac
Continuous distillation
How is Calvados typically matured? Why?
In large, old oak vessels
They do not impart as much flavour as barrels
What is the result on Calvados of being matured in the large, used oak vessels?
The lack of flavour imparted by the barrel, means that the spirit retains a pronounced aroma of cider apples
What is Pisco and where is it most famously made?
Grape brandy
Chile and Peru
In what vessel is Pisco distilled?
Pot still
What kinds of grapes are used to make Pisco?
Highly aromatic varieties
For how long is Pisco typically aged?
Most are unaged
In…it is a legal requirement that Pisco…
Peru
Is unaged
Describe Chilean aged Pisco
The period of maturation is so short that the spirit retains its vibrant, fruity character
What is the name of the most celebrated style of pomace brandy? Where is it from?
Grappa
Italy
Describe oak maturation for Grappa
They are typically not matured in oak
Broadly describe the taste of Grappa
Pronounced herbaceous flavours from the pomace and can have a sharp texture
In how many ways may the best examples of Grappa differentiate themselves from the basic taste profile?
Three
What are the three ways in which the best Grappas may differentiate themselves?
Express their grapes’ characteristics
They are smoothed out by spending a year upwards in inert vessels
They are given aromatic complexity and textural balance by being stored in wood barrels
From which grape variety does Grappa’s base variety become most obvious?
Moscato (Muscat)
What is achieved by maturing Grappa in inert vessels?
It is given a fuller, smoother texture and more complex flavours
Besides the most famous, where are other notable examples of fresh grape and pomace brandies made?
Spain, South Africa and Mexico
List some other fruits which may be used to make fruit spirits
Plums, cherries, strawberries and raspberries
Non-grape fruit spirits are a particular speciality of where? What is their reputation?
Central Europe
They’re highly regarded for their expressiveness and purity
