Fruit Spirits

Question 1

What is pomace?

Answer 1

Mass of grape skins discarded by winemakers and used to make pomace brandy

Question 2

What is macerated fruit spirit?

Answer 2

fruit spirit that is not fermented, instead macerated in a neutral spirit, then distilled.

Question 3

What fruits can be used to make fruit spirit?

Answer 3

Any fruit

Question 4

Most common grape for Cognac?

Answer 4

Ugni Blanc

Question 5

Character of Cognac grapes

Answer 5

Not aromatic, spirit has aroma of raisin and violets

Question 6

Cognac grape growing regions?

Answer 6

Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne and Borderies

Question 7

What is Fine Champagne?

Answer 7

A blend of Grande champagne (min. 50%) and Petite Champagne

Question 8

What type of condenser does Cognac require by law?

Answer 8

Worm Tub Condenser

Question 9

Min age of VS(Very Special) Cognac

Answer 9

2 years

Question 10

Min age of VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) Cognac

Answer 10

4 years

Question 11

Min age of XO (Extra Old) Hors d’Age Cognac

Answer 11

10 years

Question 12

Sub regions of Armagnac

Answer 12

Bas-Armagnac, and Armagnac-Tenareze

Question 13

Two other commonly used grapes in Armagnac besides Ugni Blanc

Answer 13

Baco Blanc(prune char.) Folle Blanche (floral)

Question 14

Min age of Blanche (Armagnac)

Answer 14

3 months (Stainless steel)

Question 15

Min age of VS(Very Special) Armagnac

Answer 15

1 year (oak)

Question 16

Min age VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) Armagnac

Answer 16

4 years (Oak)

Question 17

Min age XO(Extra Old) or Hors d’Age, Vintage Armagnac

Answer 17

10 years

Question 18

What is required to give Armagnac a vintage?

Answer 18

Made from grapes all harvested in same year

Question 19

What is Blanche Armagnac

Answer 19

Not matured in Oak

Question 20

What is Calvados?

Answer 20

France’s famous apple or pear spirit (made often in Normandy)

Question 21

What is Calvados aged in?

Answer 21

Large oak vessels (less oak flavour)

Question 22

What does Peru legally require of Pisco producers?

Answer 22

No aging

Question 23

What sets Pisco apart from Cognac/Armagnac?

Answer 23

Pure, pronounced fruity and floral aromas.

Question 24

What type of brandy is Grappa?

Answer 24

Pomace brandy

Question 25

This fruit spirit can have a sharp texture, pronounced herbaceous flavours and is typically not matured in oak

Answer 25

Grappa