Brandy & Armagnac General Flashcards
Laird’s Apple Brandy
This Straight Apple Brandy has been aged for at least four years in oak and is bottled at 100 proof.
Cherry Heering
The daddy of cherry brandies, made to a recipe dating from 1818 and matured for three years before bottling. One of the original ingredients in the first Singapore Sling created at the Raffles Hotel.
How is brandy defined by the EU?
As a distillation of wine, not pomace
-minimum abv of 36%
-min oak agin of 6 monts
What are the three regions of Armagnac?
Haut-Armagnac
Bas Armagnac
Armagnac-Ténarèze
How is Armagnac distilled?
Typically one distillation in a simple continuous still, but may be 2x in a Charentais pot still.
What % of Armagna is distilled once in a continuous still?
95%
What is Blanche Armagnac AOC, and when did it gain status?
A clear spirit of Armagnac bottled 3mos after distillation.
2005
Previously, what were the aging requirements for Armagnac?
VS (Very Special): 2 years
VSOP (Very Special, or Superior, Old Pale): 5 years
XO (Extra Old): 6 years
What are the current requirements for aging Armagnac? When did this change?
VS / ***: 1-3 years old
VSOP / Napoléon: min 4 years old
XO: min 10 years old
Hors d’Age: min. 10 years old
XO Premium: min. 20 years old
2013
What is the minimum abv for Armagnac?
40.00%
What organization oversees production of Armagnac?
Bureau National Interprofessionel de l’Armagnac (BNIA)
Who are two major Armagnac producers?
Larressingle
Château Laubade
How long must vintage Armagnac age before release?
10 years
What is the alternative name for the continuous still used in Armagnac?
Alembic Armagnacais
Other that VS, what term indicates an Armagnac of 1-3 years of age?
Other than VSOP, what term indicates an Armagnac of at 4-9 years of age?
Napoléon
Other than XO, what term indicates an Armagnac of at least 10 years of age?
Hors d’Age
What does XO Premium indicate on a bottle of Armagnac?
Minimum 20 years aging.
What grapes are used for the production of Armagnac?
Ugni Blanc
Colombard
Folle Blanche (called Picpoul locally)
Baco Blanc (hybrid)
What and where is the only hybrid grape authorized in any French AOC?
Baco Blanc in Armagnac
What is Weinbraund?
Germany brandy, produced by Asbach in a Charentais pot still using Cognac base wine.
What is Brandy de Jerez?
Brandies distilled from Airén and Palomino grapes, aged in solera.
What are the copper stills of Spain?
Alquitaras
How long do Solera labeled brandies age?
1 year
How long do Solera Reserva labeled brandies age?
3 years
How long do Solera Gran Reserva labeled brandies age?
10 years
What is Pisco?
A brandy produced in Chile and Peru, not aged in wood.
What are the Pisco DO’s of Peru?
Lima
Ica
Arequipa
Moquegua
Tacna
(north to south, all on the coast)
What varieties are used for Pisco in Peru and Chile?
PERU
Aromatic: Italia, Albilla, Moscatel, Torontel
Non-Aromatic: Quebranta, Negra Criolla, Mollar, Uvina
CHILE
Muscat of Alexandria, Pink Muscat, Torontel, Muscat of Austria (Torrontes Sanjuanino), Pedro Jimenez
There are 13 allowed varieties; these are the top five.
What are the differences between Peruvian and Chilean pisco in terms of production?
Peruvian pisco is distilled once in a pot still, and may not be cut with water.
Chilean pisco may be distilled in either a column or alembic still, and may have water added.
What are the three classifications of Peruvian Pisco? What is the required alcoholic strength?
Pisco Puro: single varietal
Pisco Acholado: base wine blended from different varieties
Mosto Verde: made from partially fermented must from either a single variety or a blend. Blends are labeled Mosto Verde Acholado.
All Peruvian Pisco must be between 38 and 48% abv.
What are the classifications and labeling terms for Chilean Pisco?
Pisco Tradicional: Min. 30% abv
Pisco Especiale: Min. 35% abv
Pisco Reservado: Min. 40% abv (aged in wood)
Gran Pisco: Min. 43% abv (aged in wood)
Pisco Guarda: 180 days of aging in new French or American oak
Pisco Envejecio: Aged for 1 year in new oak
Transperante: unaged pisco. Also called Pisco Blanco.
What are the French AOC’s for Marc?
d’Alsace
de Bourgogne
du Jura
