Distilling spirits Flashcards
What is the boiling point of ethanol?
78.5C
What are white spirits?
generally unaged
What are characters of golden and brown spirits?
usually aged in oak
What flavor does american oak contribute to spirits?
vanillin spice chocolate
What flavor does European oak impart on spirits?
colour tanning dried fruit flavours
What is brandy?
Brandy is an unsweetened spirit made by the distillation of fermented natural fresh grape juice
What are the 5 crus of cognac?
Grande Champagne
Petite Champagne
Borderiesm Vins Bois
Bons Bois
Bois Communs
In 1872 what grape varietal did Ugni Blanc replace?
Folle Blanche (Picpoul)
What barrels are generally used for Cognac aging?
1) 350-400L barrels
2) Mainly from Limousin (course grained faster againg)
3) Troncais (tighter grain more tannin)
What is the difference in raw material used in Cognac and Armanac?
Cognac is generally fermented around 8% and is composed of almost all Ugni Blanc Armagnac is fermented to around around 8-11% also from Ugni Blanc but also Baco 22a, Folle Blanche and Colombard are important
What are the aging minimums for Cognac?
VS minimum 2 years old (in practice 3-7)
VSOP minimum 4 years old (in practice 5-15)
XO minimum 6 years old (in practice up to 40)
Fine Champagne is a blend of petite and grand champagne
What are the aging minimums for Armagnac?
VS minimum 1 year
VSOP minimum 4 years
XO minimum 5 years old
Vintage: all the contents must come from a single year
What oak is used in Armagnac?
Mostly Limousin with some Alsace and Moniezun oak. Armagnac ages slowly
Where is spanish brandy made?
Jerez and Penedes
What are the raw materials used to make brandy in Jerez
Airen from La Mancha
What are the raw materials used to make brandy in Penedes
Parellada
What Maturation method is used in Jerez?
Solera
What maturatiohn method is used in Penedes
Solera or static aging
What are the aging requirements for Solera, Reserva and Solera Gran Reserva?
Solera: minimum 6 months ageing Reserva: minimum 1 year old Solera Gran Reserva: 100% holandas, minimum 3 years old
Describe German brandy
Generally made from imported base wines, then distilled to a high strength in column stills. Can be sweetened and flavoured
Describe Chilean brandy
Pisco: Aromatic grapes, generally unaged
What is Marc?
Made from grape pomace, similar to grappa
Describe Grappa
made in Northern Italy
it takes 140kg of grapes to make 1L Grappa (compared to 11.25kg grapes for 1L cognac)
Mostly Column still but there are some artisan pot-still producers.
Generally a blend of varietals but single varietal grappas are becoming more common
Name 3 brandy cocktails
Brandy Alexander, SIdecar, Champagne Cocktail, Pisco Sour
Where is Calvados?
delimited zone in Normandy/Brittany
What is the distillation for Calvados?
Double pot still (compulsory for pads d’Auge) or column still 65-70% abv.
What are the aging requirements for Calvados?
Fine: Minimum 3 years
Vieux/Reserve: minimum 3 years
VO/VSOP/Vielle Reserve: minimum 4 years
XO: Minimum 6 years
What is Fine brandy in France?
AOC controlled- light brandy produced in many wine regions
What is Generic brandy in France?
mostly neutral grape spirit that is aged for 12 months before caramel and sugar are added.
What is Kirsch made from?
Cherries