Brandy de Jerez

Question 1

How long is Solera Reserva aged?

Answer 1

At least 1 year.

Question 2

How long is Solera aged?

Answer 2

At least 6 months.

Question 3

How does the wine made from airén compare with the wines made for the distillation into Cognac and Armagnac?

Answer 3

It is higher in alcohol and lower in acidity.

Question 4

Is blending within a solera system the only way of blending Brandy de Jerez?

Answer 4

No, the product of two or more soleras can be blended.

Question 5

What can ex-fino barrels impart?

Answer 5

Aromas/flavours of grilled nuts.

Question 6

What are the four rules regarding the maturation of Brandy de Jerez?

Answer 6

1. it must be aged in a solera system.
2. it must be aged in barrels of 1,000 litres or less.
3. it must be aged in ex-sherry barrels.
4. it must be aged in the region of Jerez (the sherry triangle).

Question 7

What stills are used to produce the three strengths of spirit used to make Brandy de Jerez?

Answer 7

All may be made in column stills but only Holandes can be made in a pot still.

Question 8

What percentage of grapes used for Brandy de Jerez are arién?

Answer 8

95%.

Question 9

What is the traditional pot still in Jerez called?

Answer 9

An alquitara.

Question 10

Who owns Lepanto brandy?

Answer 10

Gonzalez Byass.

Question 11

What are the usual proportions of spirit in the three Brandy de Jerez styles?

Answer 11

Solera: 50% Holandes/ 50% Destilado.
Solera Reserva 75% Holandes.
Solera Gran Reserva 100 % Holandes.

Question 12

What is main grape used in Brandy de Jerez

Answer 12

Airén.

Question 13

Which grape variety does Lepanto brandy de Jerez use?

Answer 13

Palomino, grown in vineyards owned by Gonzalez Byass in Jerez Superior.

Question 14

Is airén grown in Jerez?

Answer 14

No, in La Mancha.

Question 15

What is the advantage of using a solera in the production of Brandy de Jerez?

Answer 15

It allows blending to take place throughout the maturation process.

Question 16

Is brandy defined in Spanish law?

Answer 16

Yes, but only Brandy de Jerez.

Question 17

Does double distillation happen in Jerez?

Answer 17

No, one distillation is enough.

Question 18

What is the abv of Aguardientes?

Answer 18

Between 70 and 86%.

Question 19

What 2 things is Brandy de Jerez particularly notable for?

Answer 19

1. use of high-strength spirit.

2. use of solera system.

Question 20

What is the bottom level of a solera system called?

Answer 20

The solera.

Question 21

Are grape varieties set by law for Brandy de Jerez?

Answer 21

No.

Question 22

What is an ALQUITARA ?

Answer 22

The name for the traditional pot still in Jerez. The same as an alembique.

Question 23

Do the barrels in used for Brandy de Jerez soleras impart oak flavours and aromas?

Answer 23

No. Only flavours from previous sherry content.

Question 24

What does the law say about how much high alcohol spirit is allowed in a blend?

Answer 24

A minimum of 50% must be spirit which is distilled to less than 86% abv, i.e. only 50% can be destilados.

Question 25

What are the three towns of the sherry triangle?

Answer 25

Jerez de la Frontera El Puerto de Santa Maria Sanlúcar de Barrameda

Question 26

When was the Lepanto company established?

Answer 26

1886.

Question 27

Where is most Brandy de Jerez distilled?

Answer 27

In La Mancha (some is done in Jerez).

Question 28

How long is Solera Gran Reserva aged?

Answer 28

At least 3 years.

Question 29

What is the key to flavour intensity in Brandy de Jerez?

Answer 29

The amount of Holandes used. Solera Gran Reserva is often 100% Holandes.

Question 30

What is the abv of Holandes?

Answer 30

70% or less.

Question 31

What can ex-Oloroso barrels impart?

Answer 31

Aromas/flavours of walnut, plums, and figs.

Question 32

What are the three labelling categories of Brandy de Jerez? And what do they mean?

Answer 32

1. Solera; aged at least 6 months. 50% Holandes and 50% spirits. 2. Solera Reserva; aged at least 1 year. 75% Holandes and 25% spirits. 3. Solera Gran Reserva; aged at least 3 years. 100% Holandes.

Question 33

What are the names of the three classes of spirit produced for the making of Brandy de Jerez? What are their abvs?

Answer 33

1. Holandes; from 40% to 70% abv maximum. 2. Aguardientes; between 70 and 86% abv. 3. Destilados; 86% abv or above (i.e. up to 94.8%)

Question 34

What are all levels of the solera system, except the bottom one, called?

Answer 34

A criadera.

Question 35

What is the abv of Destilados?

Answer 35

86% or above.

Question 36

What can former Pedro Ximénez barrels impart?

Answer 36

Aromas/flavours of raisins.

Question 37

What is the role of sweetening?

Answer 37

This is sometimes done with Pedro Ximénez to the cheaper brandies.

Question 38

Which is the only brandy to be distilled in the city of Jerez?

Answer 38

Lepanto.

Question 39

Where is the airén used in Brandy de Jerez grown?

Answer 39

La Mancha.

Question 40

The wine fermented from airén is of what abv?

Answer 40

11 - 13%

Question 41

What is the typical size and origin of barrels used for maturing Brandy de Jerez?

Answer 41

500 litres; American oak.

Question 42

What are the advantages of the solera system for Brandy de Jerez?

Answer 42

1. perfect homogenisation during ageing process. 2. regular movement leads to aeration and oxidation. 3. allows small amounts of very old brandy to be included.

Question 43

At what strength is the brandy aged?

Answer 43

Usually at 50 - 60 % abv. this allows better extraction from the wood.

Question 44

What evaporates during ageing and how much?

Answer 44

Alcohol; 7% a year.

Question 45

Describe Lepanto Gran Reserva.

Answer 45

9 years in ex-Tio Pepe barrels followed by three years in ex-Oloroso barrels.