Brandy Flashcards
How is Brandy different from Whiskey?
- “more feminine” - delicate aromas of flowers, fruit, subtle oak, spice
- distilled from WINE not fermented grain
What is does “eau de vie” mean?
Water of life
What is brandewijn?
“burned wine”
-story of Dutch trader preserving essence of wine on trip north, thought he could reconstitute with water but men liked it so birth of brandy
How does EU define brandy
- a distillation of wine (not pomace)
- minimum 36% abv
- minium oak aging 6 months
What two AOCs historically produce the world’s best brandy?
Cognac and Armagnac in SW France
When was Cognac AOC defined/finalized?
1909/1938
Where is Cognac AOC?
NE of Bordeaux region
Name the 6 regions of production in Cognac from best to worst quality
- Grande Champagne
- Petit Champagne
- Borderies
- Fins Bois
- Bons Bois
- Bois Ordinaires (Bois à Terroirs)
What makes Grande Champagne and Petit Champagne superior to the outlying regions?
Soil - higher percentage soft chalk
-outlying regions have more hard limestone, sand, clay
What grape is primarily used to make Cognac? What percentage does it make up in region?
Ugni Blanc
98% of vineyard acreage
What grapes other than ugni blanc are permitted for Cognac production
Folle Blanche
Colombard
Others
How is Cognac distilled
Twice, in copper Charentais pot still
What is the result of the first distillation of Cognac called?
spirit 28-32% alcohol
called Brouillis - several batches returned to pot still for second distillation
What is the second distillation of Cognac called and how is it divided?
bonne chauffe - colorless spirit about 70% abv
divided into:
- tête (head)
- coeur (heart)** Only part used to make final Cognac (~40%)
- seconds (second cuts)
- queue (tails)
Where are oak casks for Cognac traditionally sourced?
Limousin and Tronçais forests
What may be added to fix Cognac’s strength and color before bottling?
Water and caramel color
Cognac age designations:
VS, or *** - at least 2 years in cask
VSOP - at least 4 years in cask
XO - at least 10 years in cask (as of 2018, was 6 years before)
What does VS, VSOP, XO mean?
VS - Very Special
VSOP - Very Special (/Superior) Old Pale
XO - Extra Old
May vintages be blended in Cognac? What does age designation indicate on label?
- Yes, vintages are often blended
- age designation refers to age of youngest eau-de-vie in the blend
Are there vintage Cognacs?
Yes, but rare
What is required if region is listed on label?
100% eau-de-vie originated from named area
What is Fine Champagne Cognac?
- Distilled entirely from wines produced in Grande and Petite Champagne regions
- Grande Champagne at least 50% of blend
Where is Armagnac AOC located?
SW of Bordeaux
What are the three areas of production in Armagnac?
- Bas-Armagnac
- Armagnac-Ténarèze
- Haut-Armagnac
(West to East)
What grapes are used to produce Armagnac?
Ugni Blanc
Colombard
Folle Blanche (picpoul)
Baco Blanc (hybrid)
What is special about Baco Blanc?
It is the only hybrid grape authorized in any French AOP
Is Armagnac more frequently made from single varietal or a blend of grapes?
A blend
How is most Armagnac distilled?
-95% distilled in copper continuous still
twice distilled in copper Charantais pot still is also allowed
What is the result of distilling in the simple continuous still rather than distilling twice in a pot still?
More flavorful, less pure, less alcoholic spirit
How is Armagnac aged?
in oak casks until desired state, or bottled after 3 months in inert container as Blanche Armagnac AOC
What is Blanche Armagnac AOC? When did it reach AOC status?
- Clear spirit aged three months in inert containers then bottled
- became AOC in 2005
Who oversees production in Armagnac?
BNIA (Bureau National Interprofessionel de l’Armagnac
Grading system in Armagnac? When was new system required?
VS or *** - aged in barrel 1-3 years
VSOP - aged in barrel 4-9 years
XO, or Hors d’Age - at least 10 years in barrel
This simplified version was required by 2013
What is Coupage?
Blending a number of barrel selections in order to achieve a desired style that is consistent throughout years
What is added to Armagnac before bottling to achieve appropriate strength?
A mixture of distilled water and Armagnac (petits eaux) to get to min 40% abv
Can vintage bottlings be done in Armagnac?
- Yes, more common than Cognac
- must age 10 years in cask before release
Major Cognac Houses
Rémy Martin
Hennessy
Martell
Courvoisier
Two Prominent Armagnac Houses
Larressingle
Château Laubade (focuses on vintage)
Three other regions of France with Brandy production?
Fine de Bordeaux
Fine de Bourgogne
Fine de la Marne
German Brandy -
name, producer, technique
- Weinbraund (means German Brandy)
- Produced by Asbach,
- distilled in Charentais pot still
- base wines from Coganc grapes
Where is the most notable region in Spain for Brandy production?
Andalucía (predates Cognac)
What is Brandy de Jerez?
Protected designation for brandy produced in Sherry aged in similar solera method
How is Brandy de Jerez distilled? From what grapes?
- distilled in Copper still called alquitaras
- grapes - Airén and Palomino
Aging for:
Solera
Solera Reserva
Solera Gran Reserva
Solera - avg 1 year
Solera Reserva - avg 3 years
Solera Gran Reserva - avg 10 years
Brandy de Jerez Producers
Domecq
Emilio Lustau
Osborne
Who makes a lighter style brandy in Catalonia?
Miguel Torres
What is brandy called in Portugal?
Aguardente
What is the Italian synonym for Ugni Blanc?
Trebbiano
What is pisco?
- Brandy made in Chile and Peru (undiluted in Peru)
- typically not aged in wood
What is pomace?
The remnants left after pressing grapes
Name three pomace spirits
- Marc (France)
- Grappa (Italy)
- Bagaceira (Portugal)
Where are a few common places to find Marc in France?
Champagne, Alsace, Burgundy
Two prominent Grappa producers
Jacopo Poli
Giannola Nonino - 1st to distill single varietal (picolit)
