CHAPTER 5: BRANDIES & OTHER FRUIT-BASED SPIRITS Flashcards
What are “brown spirits”?
Spirits that have been barrel-aged or colored by the addition of caramel.
Define: Brandy (US)
- A potable spirit, suitably aged in wood, obtained from the distillation of wine or a fermented mash of fruit.
- Distilled at less than 190 proof and bottled at no less than 80 proof.
Define: Brandy (EU)
- Spirit distilled from wine and other wine spirits can be added.
- Maximum distillation is 94.8% abv, finished product after maturation cannot exceed 47.4% abv.
- Aging: minimum of 6 months in small oak barrels or 1 year in any oak
- Bottled at less than 36% abv
- Free of flavor additives or additional alcohol sources
- Caramel is allowed for conformity
Brandy vs. flavored brandy
Brandy = unsweetened Flavored = natural flavoring materials and sugar
EU Fruit Brandy and Not-Aged Grape Brandy Called…
“Fruit spirit” or “wine spirit”
EU defines Pomace Brandy as…
“Grape Marc Spirit”
When did we begin to distill wine commercially?
16th century, between the port of La Rochelle, on the Charente River in France (and Holland). [Note: This is why Cognac became so recognized]
Define: Brandewijn / Weinbrand
Brandy. Translates into “burnt wine”
What’s the story of how brandy started?
- Dutch ship-master wanted to maximize wine shipment (due to increasing costs of shipping casks)
- Removed [concentrated] water for transport - transported the wine’s “soul”
- Planned to re-add water upon arrival. However, spirit was well received as is.
What types of stills are used in Brandy production and why?
- Column stills - lighter, simpler styles of cleaner brandy
- Copper pot still - new aromas from the metal reactions
- Stainless steel pot still - cleaner, more consistent product and last longer
In brandy what’s the ABVs of pot still distillation?
- Wine at 10% abv
- First distillate at 30% abv
- Second distillate at 70-80% abv
Most frequently used method of aging brandy?
Single barrel aging
Ways to age brandy:
- No aging (straight to bottle) [Note: considered a “spirit” in EU]
- Single Barrel Aging
- Solera Aging
Solera aging process:
- Rows of stacked barrels
- Youngest on top – oldest on bottom
- Bottom level bottled & layers above are brought down.
Can you vintage date brandy that undergoes Solera aging?
No, the years are blended together.
Where is Cognac produced?
Southwestern France, just north of the Bordeaux region around the town of Cognac. Specifically, within the Charente and Charente-Maritime departments.
What are the (6) subdivisions of the Charente District? What are they known for?
- Grande Champagne and 2. Petite Champagne - highest quality, light aromas, well-suited to aging
- Borderies - the smallest sub-region, clay soil, and weight and floral notes
- Fins Bois - organic soil and clay
- Bon Bois - organic soil, clay, and chalk
- Bois Ordinaries - sandy soil, lowest quality
What are (2) synonyms for Ugni Blanc?
- Saint Emilion
2. Trebbiano
What are the (3) grapes of Cognac?
- Saint- Emilion (Ugni Blanc)
- Folle Blanche
- Colombard
How would you describe the initial wine used to make Cognac?
low alcohol, high acidity
What still is used for Cognac production?
Alembic or Pot still
What are the steps in Cognac distillation
- The wine goes through the first distillation - PREMIERE CHAUFFE
- The “heart” of the first distillate - BROUILLIS - is collected and put into the second distillation.
- The second distillation - BONNE CHAUFFE - using the BROUILLIS is conducted
- The tail end of the second distillation - SECONDES - and the use of lees may or may not be used depending on the style of Cognac.
What are the (3) styles of Cognac?
- Martell
- Hennessy
- Remy
What is unique about the Martell style of Cognac?
The lees are discarded, preventing rancio flavors and creating an earlier-maturing spirit.
What is unique about the Remy style of Cognac?
Lees are used, making it is softer Cognac that will age longer.
What is unique about the Hennessy method of Cognac?
The SECONDES are equally divided. Half is added to the base wine and the other half is added to the BROUILLIS. It is stylistically the middle of Martell and Remy.
What is the production window for Cognac?
Distillation season begins in November, and the alembics will run 24/7 for 3-5 months. All distilling must be completed by March 31st of the year after harvest.
Restrictions on the final Cognac product include:
- No sulfuring allowed - ensures that wine’s character doesn’t change prior to being distilled
- All distillation must be completed by March 31st
What type of oak is Cognac aged in? Why?
Aged in Limousin oak from the Limoges forest. It is local and is more porous, allowing greater interaction between the brandy and the oak. Alliers and Troncais oak are allowed as well.
What is the standard angel’s share for Cognac?
3-4% annually
How long is Cognac aged in new oak?
1 year, then it is transferred to used oak.
What causes the Black Soot that often covers the buildings and roofs of Cognac cellars and warehouses?
The angel’s share (evaporation) because it serves as nutrients for the mold.
What kind of climate does Cognac have?
Maritime
True or False: Cognac evaporates more quickly in a maritime climate?
True
How much does the ABV decrease annually in Cognac?
2% ABV
Define: Glass Demijohns
Glass containers for very old Cognac to prevent further oxidation and loss in wood barrels, so as to maintain their ABV.
What is the minimum abv allowed for bottling Cognac?
40%
What is the minimum maturation time for Cognac?
2 years
There are (4) possible scenarios for the grape farmer in Cognac, what are they?
- Farmer owns still, makes Cognac, ages it and sell it.
- Farmer owns still, makes Cognac, sells it to firm to age, bottle, and sell it.
- Farmer doesn’t own still, sells wine to distilling cooperative.
- Farmer doesn’t own still, sells wine to Cognac house.
Who is required to obtain the AOC approval before shipping Cognac?
Whoever produces the final product
Which Cognac only requires 2 years of aging?
VS or *** (3 stars) = Very Special
Which Cognac requires 4 years aging?
VSOP = Very Superior Old Pale
Which Cognac requires 6 years aging and is considered lower quality than XO?
Napolean
Which Cognac requires 6 years aging and is considered above Napolean and below Extra?
XO = Extra Old
Which Cognac requires 6 years aging and is considered just above XO quality?
Extra
Which Cognac requires 6 years aging and is considered above Extra?
Vieille Reserve
Which Cognac requires 6 years aging and is considered above Vielle Reserve?
Hors d’Age = Beyond Age
Name the three Cognac’s that will have a 10 year aging requirement effective 2018?
- XO
- Extra
- Hors d’Age
Why is Cognac more well known than Armagnac?
The area where Armagnac is produced is landlocked and it didn’t gain widespread attention, like Cognac.
Where is Armagnac located?
Southeast of Bordeaux, in the Gascony region. Specifically, the Department of Gers.
What are the (3) sub-regions of Armagnac? What are each of them known for?
- Bas-Armagnac - Western area, highest quality, boulbenes soil, elegant
- Tenareze - Center area, more chalk, round and complex spirits
- Haut-Armagnax - Eastern area, lowest quality, lightest spirits
Define: Boulbenes
A soil that consists of sand, chalk, and stones. It is associated with the Tenareze sub-region and Armagnac.
List the (4) grapes of Armagnac and what is significant about each of them:
- Saint-Emilion - 80% floral and acidity
- Baco 22A - fruit and weight
- Folle Blanche and 4. Colombard - aromatics
What type of still is Armagnac produced in?
Armagnac still - a small scale version of a continuous still (not a batch process pot still)
How is Armagnac different from Cognac?
- Armagnac still vs. alembic
- Use of Baco 22a grape
- Only one distillation required
- Min. aging requirement is 1 year instead of 2
- Lower distillate ABV = 52-72%
- More full flavors because it has more congeners
- Barrels made from black oak Monlezun are traditional, and Cognac’s is Limousin.
- Ages faster than Cognac
Can Armagnac be made in Limousin barrels?
Yes, but Monlezun is the traditional choice due to the forest proximity.
What is the black oak from the Monlezun forest known for?
High tannin content, which enhances the stronger flavor, darker color and overall smoothness of Armagnac.
What does the designation “Blanche d’Armagnac” signify?
A white Armagnac produced without any wood aging.
Can vintage dated Armagnac be bottled and sold as cask proof?
Yes
Which Armagnac requires one year of oak aging, but is generally aged 1-3 years?
VS of *** (3 stars)
Which Armagnac requires four years of oak aging, but is generally aged 4-9 years?
VSOP
Which Armagnac requires six years of aging, but is generally aged 6-9 years?
Napoleon
Which Armagnac requires 10 years of aging, but is generally aged 10-19 years?
XO
Which Armagnac requires 20 years of oak aging?
XO Premium