Brandy Flashcards
1
Q
What is the ABV requirement for distillation of brandy in the US?
A
Less than 95% ABV
2
Q
What is the US definition of brandy?
A
A distilled spirit produced using the fermented juice, mash, or wine of fruit (or the residue thereof)
3
Q
What is the ABV requirement for bottling brandy in the US?
A
No less than 40% ABV
4
Q
What are some categories of brandy defined by the US Standards of Identity?
A
Grape brandy
Fruit brandy
Pomace brandy
Neutral brandy
5
Q
What is the only type of brandy allowed to be labeled simply as brandy (without a qualifier name) in the US?
A
Grape brandy
6
Q
What percentage of a grape brandy may be grape pomace or lees in the US?
A
Up to 30%
7
Q
In the US, what term must be on a bottle of grape brandy (preceding the term brandy) that has not undergone at least two years of oak aging?
A
“Immature” or “Unaged”
8
Q
What percentage of fruit brandy may be fruit pomace or lees in the US?
A
Up to 30%
9
Q
What must appear on a label before the term brandy for fruit brandy in the US?
A
The name of the fruit.
10
Q
What is another name for apple brandy in the US?
A
Applejack
11
Q
What is the distillation requirements in the US for neutral brandy?
A
Must be distilled at more than 170 proof.
12
Q
What is the definition of brandy in the EU?
A
A spirit distilled from grape wine. (Other wine spirits can be added)
13
Q
What is the ABV requirement for distillation of brandy in the EU?
A
Must be distilled at a maximum of 94.8% ABV
14
Q
What is the maximum ABV for brandy in the EU before bottling?
A
37.5% ABV
15
Q
What are the aging requirements for brandy in the EU?
A
Must be matured for at least one year in any type of oak, or for no less than 6 months in small oak barrels.
16
Q
What is the minimum ABV for bottling brandy in the EU?
A
Not less than 36% ABV
17
Q
What is a synonym for brandy in the EU?
A
Weinbrand
18
Q
May brandy be flavored in the EU?
A
No, except for certain traditional production methods.
19
Q
May caramel coloring be added to brandy in the EU?
A
Yes
20
Q
What is a fruit spirit in the EU?
A
Commonly known as fruit brandy, made from fruits like plums, apples, pears, raspberries, blackberries, apricots, peaches, cherries, or other fruits.
21
Q
Do fruit spirits in the EU need to be aged?
A
No
22
Q
What is the required ABV for distillation of fruit spirits in the EU?
A
Must be distilled at less than 86% ABV
23
Q
May fruit spirits in the EU be flavored?
A
No
24
Q
What is the bottling ABV required for fruit spirits in the EU?
A
Must be bottled at a minimum of 37.5% ABV
25
What is another name for fruit spirit in the EU?
Wasser (with the name of the fruit preceding - eg kirschwasser)
26
What are some fruit names that may replace the word spirit on a label in the EU?
Mirabelle
Quetsch
Williams
27
What is Poire Williams?
A pear spirit produced using the Williams, or Bartlett, variety.
28
What is the name for unaged grape brandy in the EU?
Wine spirits
29
What is grape marc spirit or fruit marc spirit?
EU pomace brandy.
30
Why and when was wine first distilled?
In the 16th century, to concentrate the wine for shipment to Holland for tax and transport reasons.
31
What was the original Dutch term for brandy?
Brandewijn (burnt wine)
32
What are some benefits of copper stills over stainless?
They are easier to manipulate into still shapes, and during the vapor stage, promote chemical reactions that produce new aroma compounds.
33
What are some advantages of stainless over copper stills?
Stainless lasts longer and provides a cleaner, more consistent distillate.
34
What is the usual ABV of the base fermented wine or fruit juice in brandy production?
6-10% ABV
35
Are most fruit and pomace brandies aged or not? Why?
Most fruit and pomace brandies are not aged and kept out of wood. Allows the full flavor of the base material to show, and keeps the spirit colorless.
36
What is Fine brandy?
A high quality French brandy produced outside of Cognac or Armagnac.
37
What are some
Fine Brandies?
Fine de Bordeaux
Fine de Bourgogne
Fine de la Marne
38
What is Fine de la Marne?
Brandy produced from grapes grown in the Champagne wine region.
39
What percentage of US brandy is produced in California?
More than 90%
40
Where and when was California brandy first produced?
The 1860s, Almaden Vineyards.
41
What grapes are used for the production of California brandy?
Types are not regulated, mostly Thompson Seedless ad Ugni Blanc, with some Colombard and Folle Blanche.
42
Where are most of the grapes for California brandy grown?
The San Joaquin Valley, from Lodi to Fresno.
43
How is California brandy usually distilled?
Continuous column still. Some artisanal producers use pot still.
44
How long must California brandy be aged?
2 years in oak containers. Some age for 4-8 years of longer.
45
When was the first brandy made in South Africa?
1672.
46
Where is most of the brandy in South Africa produced?
Robertson and Worcester.
47
What are the three types of South African brandy?
Pot Still Brandy
Blended Brandy
Vintage Brandy
48
What is South African Pot Still brandy?
100% pot still brandy (as of 2014)
Must be aged minimum 3 years in oak.
49
What is South African Blended brandy?
A brandy made up of a minimum of 30% pot still brady, with unmatured wine spirits permitted to be used up to a maximum of 70% of the blend.
50
What is South African Vintage brandy?
Produced from a minimum of 30% pot still distillate that must have been aged for a minimum of 8 years in oak barrels. Column still spirits, which must also have been matured for at least 8 years may make up a maximum of 60% of the blend. Any remaining balance may be unmatured wine spirit.
51
What is Alter Weinbrand?
A German brandy aged a minimum of 6 months in wood.
52
What is Weinbrand Uralt?
A German brandy aged for a minimum of twelve months in wood.
53
What is used to make Germany brandy?
Imported wine, mostly from Spain.
54
What is Asbach Uralt?
One of the most widely distributed German brandies.
55
What is Metaxa?
A Greek brandy, made in small pot still, aged in Limousin for 3-30 years, and infused with rose petals and herbs. Sweet - could technically be a liqueur.
56
What is El Presidente?
Mexican brandy - uses mainly Thompson Seedless and Perlette.
57
What is Singani?
A Bolivian brandy.
58
What are the designated growing regions for Singani?
Chuquisaca
Tarija
Potosi
La Paz
59
Besides being produced from a designated growing region, what are the other requirements for Singani?
It must be grown at altitudes over 1600 meters or 5250 feet, and must be prepared, distilled, and bottled within the defined growing region.
60
What grapes are used for "High Altitude Singani"?
Muscat of Alexandria
61
What may be included in Sinangi Second Selection?
Grape pomace.
62
How is Singani typically aged?
A short period of time in stainless steel (typically 6 months)
63
What are the aging requirements for Singani?
There are no requirements.
64
What are the three labels of maturation for Australian brandy?
Matured - Minimum 2 years in wood
Old - Minimum 5 years in wood
Very Old - Minimum 10 years in wood.
65
What are the main grapes used for Australian brandy?
Ugni Blanc
Pedro Ximenez
Palomino
Sultana
66
What is Aguardente?
A Portuguese fine, aged brandy.
67
What is Aguardente de Vinho Louinha?
A Portuguese brandy produced in the Oeste region of Portugal, 40 miles N/NW of Lisbon.
68
What grapes are used in Aguardente de Vinho Lourinha?
Recommended varieties are Alicante, Alvadurao, Boal Espinho, Marquinhas, Malvasia Rei, Talia and Cabinda.
69
How is Aguardente de Vinho Lourinha distilled?
A wine (no more than 10% ABV) is distilled in either a continuous still to a max 78% ABV or a pot still to a max 72% ABV.
70
How is Aguardente de Vinho Lourinha aged?
Must be aged in oak barrels for at least 24 months before blending and bottling.
71
What does Aguardente mean in Portuguese?
Fire-water
72
How is pomace brandy produced?
The skins, pulp and seeds leftover from wine production are lightly pressed or steamed to released the remaining juice, to which water may be added before the mixture is fermented and distilled.
73
What are the two types of pomace brandy distributed internationally?
Grappa (Italy) and Marc (France)
74
What does grappa mean in Italian?
Grape stalk.
75
At what ABV is grappa usually bottled?
Between 40-45%.
76
How is Grappa distilled?
Major producers - Continuous Column
Artisanal - Pot Stills
77
What is monovitigno?
A grappa produced from a single grape variety (at least 85%).
78
What grapes were used in the production of the first single variety grappa?
100% Picolit
79
How is Grappa aged?
Either in inert containers for several months or in wood.
80
What are the two label options and requirements for Grappa aged in wood?
Vecchia or Invecchiata - Min12 months in wood
Riserva or Stravecchia - Min 18 months in wood.
81
What is Grappa Aromatizzata?
Grappas containing herbs, spices, or fruits.
82
What type of wood barrels are used for Grappa aging?
Oak, ash, chestnut, or other wood.
83
What is Giovane or Bianco Grappa?
A Grappa aged a minimum of 6 months, usually in steel or glass.
84
What is a caffe corretto?
Grappa with a shot of espresso.
85
What is Resentin?
Grappa used to rinse out rest of espresso from cup.
86
What is Vinaccia?
The Italian word for pomace.
87
How many Grappa producers are there estimated to be in Italy?
Around 130.
88
When was Marc first produced in France?
The 18th century (possibly earlier).
89
What is the full name of Marc?
Eaux-de-vie de marc.
90
Is Marc aged in oak?
It may be, customarily old oak barrels.
91
About how many wine producing regions in France make Marc?
More than 30
92
What grape variety from Alsace has a single variety AOP for Marc?
marc d'Alsace gewurztraminer.
93
What is considered one of the highest quality examples of Marc?
Eaux-de-vie de marc de Bourgogne
94
What is Orujo?
A traditional Spanish pomace brandy.
95
What Spanish region has a GI for pomace brandy?
Orujo de Galicia.
96
Are there aged versions of Orujo?
Yes, Orujo envejecido (aged Orujo), minimum 1 year in 500 liter barrels (or smaller) or 2 years in larger barrels.
97
What is Queimada?
A traditional Galician beverage made with Orujo, sugar, lemon peel, cinnamon, and coffee beans. It is set aflame, and stirred until the blue flames die out. May include incantation, based on Celtic lore.
98
What is Bagaceira?
A Portuguese pomace brandy.
99
What is Bagaceira also known as?
Aguardente Bacaeira
Destilação do bagaço
Bagaço
100
How is Portuguese Bagaceira aged?
It can be unaged (or briefly aged)
Finest versions - often at least two years in oak.
101
What is the label term for aged Portugues Bagaceira
Velha
102
What is Applejack?
A US brandy distilled from apples.
103
What is freeze distillation?
The historic method of Applejack production. Apple cider was left outside to freeze, and chunks of ice were chipped off to concentrate the alcohol content.
104
Where did the name applejack come from?
Apples - the fruit used and
Jacking - the term for freeze distillation.
105
What was the US's first distillery to receive a permit?
Laird's Distillery of Scobeyville, New Jersey, producers of Applejack.
106
What is blended Applejack?
A mixture of at least 20% apple brandy that has been stored in oak for at least 2 years, combined with no more than 80% neutral spirits.
107
What is a classic cocktail made with Applejack?
Jack Rose, a blend of applejack, lemon juice and grenadine.
108
What is Jersey Lightning?
A nickname for Applejack, due to its deep roots in New Jersey and the potency of the unaged spirit.
109
What is pear brandy formally called?
Eaux de vie de poire
110
What pears are used to make pear brandy?
William Bo-Chretien (Bartlett in US)
111
Describe pear brandy.
Generally unaged, colorless, and produced to preserve the distinctive aroma of ripe pear.
112
What is cherry brandy known as in German-speaking countries?
Kirsch or Kirschwasser
113
Where is kirsch believed to have originated?
The Black Forest of Germany
114
Describe Kirsch
A clear and colorless fruit spirit. Generally unaged. Refined taste with subtle flavors of cherry and a slight bitter-almond aftertaste.
115
Is Kirsch aged?
Kirsch is generally unaged, but may be aged for short time in inert vessels.
116
What is Kirsch made from?
Cherries - may be either just the fruit or the fruit and the pits.
117
What is the difference in flavor of Kirsch using just the fruit or complete (with pit as well)
Just the fruit - more cherry flavor
Complete - bitter-almond, marzipan like flavor along with the cherry.
118
How is Kirsch generally served?
Neat as an aperitif or a digestif. Also used in some recipes (Swiss Fondue, Black Forest Cake).
119
What is Jahrgangskirsch?
A vintage bottling of Kirsch produced only during exceptional years.
120
Where is apricot brandy made?
Mostly Hungary and Austria.
121
What is Barack Palinka?
Apricot brandy made in Hungary.
122
What is Marillenschnaps?
An Austrian apricot brandy made in the Wachau region. Has a strong, clean apricot aroma.
123
What are other names for Marillenschnaps?
Marillenbrand
Marillen Apricot eau-de-vie.
124
What does Marillen mean?
It is the Austrian term for apricots (in other German speaking countries it is aprikosen)
125
What is slivovitz?
Plum brandies produced in Central Europe.
126
How is slivovitz produced?
From crushed black plums fermented with their skins, seeds and pulp. One or several distillations, aged or unaged.
127
What is Mirabelle?
A French plum brandy made from yellow plums.
128
What is Quetsch?
A French plum brandy (using black plums) made in Alsace.
129
What is Pflümli (or plum eau-de-vie)?
Plum brandy made in Switzerland and the US.
130
What is Framboise?
A French eaux-de-vie made from Raspberries.
131
What is Fraise?
A French eaux-de-vie made from strawberries.
132
What is Obstler (or Obstbrand)?
Fruit spirits made from a mixture of fruit.
133
What fruits are allowed in Obstler?
Defined group of apples/pears
Cherries
Plums
Apricots
Quince
Raspberries
Blackberries
Peaches
Rowanberries
Elderberries,
Juniper Berries
Red/Black Currants
134
What is the most common mix of fruit in Obstler?
Apples and Pears.
135
Where is Obstler produced?
Southern Germany, Austria, and the German speaking parts of Italy and Switzerland.
136
What are clear spirits made from a mixture of fruit made in Austria, Switzerland, and southern Germany called?
Schnapps
137
What is a geist spirit?
A spirit made by macerating soft fruits in neutral alcohol to impart their flavor, and then the resulting infused liquid is distilled.
138
What is himbeergeist?
A raspberry infused spirit produced mainly in Germany and Austria.
139
What is Schwarzwalder Himbeergeist?
A clear spirit created by macerating fresh raspberries in neutral spirits for several weeks before diluting and distilling the mixture. Has GI status.
140
What may geist spirits be made from?
Fruit, flowers, vegetables, or spices.
141
What is flavored brandy?
In the US, brandies flavored with natural flavorings. Battled at a minimum of 30% ABV. If there is a predominant flavor, must appear on the label. Most flavored brandies are sweetened, can sometimes also be classified as liqueurs.
142
What are some classic cocktails based on brandy?
The Sidecar
The Stinger
Brandy Alexander.
143
What is Chacha?
An eau-de-vie from Georgia, often made from leftover detritus of winemaking.
144
Besides pomace, what can Chacha be made from?
Buckthorn or mulberry.
145
What is the ABV of Chacha?
45-65%.
146
How is Chacha aged?
Either in Qvevri or old barrels.
