Fruit Spirits Flashcards
Fruits for spirit production are grown __ to reduce spoilage
Locally
What are the 2 ways fruits are processed for spirit making?
- Crushed and/or pressed that is fermented and distilled
- Maceration in a neutral spirit then re-distilled
What type of grape is most commonly used in spirit making?
White grapes
What French region is biggest on grape spirits?
Congnac
What types of grapes do producers in Cognac prefer to use and why?
•Highly acidic white grapes with minimal aroma
•Distillation concentrates the floral and fruity aromas
What is Pomace and how is it used to make Brandy?
•Discarded grape skins (white grapes skins are usually discarded before fermentation)
•skins are mixed with water which can be fermented
What do the skins of the grapes add to pomace brandy?
Herbaceous and spicy aromas
What types of stills are used in fruit spirits?
•Different types but most in high quality comes from pot stills
France is home to what 3 types of fruit spirits?
•Cognac
•Armagnac
•Calvados
What is the most recognized grape brandy in the world?
Cognac
What grape is used by the majority in Cognac?
Ugni Blanc
Grapes of Cognac must be grown
Just north of Bordeaux in southwest France bordering Cognac.
What are the characteristics of the Ugni Blanc grape in spirits?
•Signature aromas of raisins and violets
Harvesting and distillation process of Cognac?
•Harvested in autumn
•Double Distilled by March in copper pot stills
What are the 2 rare features that are strictly followed in distillation of Cognac?
•Directly heated with flame (gas burners)
•Use of Worm Tub condenser
What are the features of the worm tub condenser?
•Is big as the pot still with a single coiled copper pipe where vapors pass through it immerced on constantly refreshed cold water
Parts of a Cognac Pot Still?
•Still head
•Direct Heat source
•Swan Neck
•Worm Tub condenser
What is the minimum age requirement for Cognac?
2 years
It is common for maturation of Cognac to start in __oak barrels and finish aging in __oak barrels
•New
•Old
Cognacs are typically __ from different subregions
•Blended
What are demijohns?
Glass decanters that hold very old and valuable cognacs (spirits) that are used sparingly to add depth and complexity to prestigious blends
What are the labeling terms and the ages of the youngest spirit in the blend they represent on Cognac bottles?
•VS- 2 years
•VSOP- 4 years
•XO (Hors d’age)- 10 years
What does one expect in a bottle of Cognac
•slightly sweetened making off-dry ⭐️ (long standing practice)
•Potential caramel coloring
Cognac, divided into 6 subregions with the most important ones being?
•Grand Champagne (the best)
•Petite Champagne
•Borderies
If Cognac is a blend of 50% min of Grand Champagne and Petite Champagne it may be called?
Fine Champagne
Armagnac is a __ ___ and must be grown in ___ that is south of Bordeaux
•Grape Brandy
•Armagnac
What are the 3 most important grapes used in the production of Armagnac?
•Ugni Blanc
•Baco Blanc (prunes aroma)
•Folle Blanche (pronounced floral aromas)
What stills are used in the production of Armagnac?
•Pot stills (rare)
•A short Continuous column still with few plates. produces a characterful low strength spirit
Armagnacs and Cognacs are produced in very similar ways but what are the 2 notable points of difference in Armagnac?
1.) Vintages are more common (same year and not blended ages)
2.) Distillers can sell Blanche (final product aged in inert vessels for a few months instead of barrel aging)
What is Blanche
Armagnac aged a few months in inert vessels instead of maturing in oak producing an expressive and fruity spirit
What are the Armagnac labeling terms and minimum age requirements?
•Blanche (3 months in stainless steel)
•VS (1year)
•VSOP (4 years)
Hors d’age/vintage/XO (10 years)
Armagnac is usually produced by larger or smaller companies?
Produced typically by Chateaus
Where does Calvados come from?
North of France in Normandy (region of Calvados)
What is Calvados made from?
Pears and apples (apples are far more grown)
What stills are used to make Calvados?
•Pot stills similar to Cognac
•Column stills similar to Armagnac including continuous distillation
How is Calvados typically matured?
•Large old oak vessels that give it a pronounced aroma of cider apples
What 2 countries make Pisco?
Chile and Peru
What raw materials are used to make Pisco?
Highly aromatic grapes
(Makes it different from French Brandies)
What are the maturation processes of Pisco?
•Typically unaged and is that way by law in Peru, but aged in Chile is wood matured for a short time
What characteristics do the best examples of Pisco have?
Pure pronounced fruity and floral aromas
What is Italy known for?
Grappa (Pomace Brandy)
Is Grappa typically aged in oak?
No
What characteristics do Grappa present
Pronounced herbaceous flavors that comes from the pomace and a shared texture
The best examples of Grappa differentiate in 3 different ways
- Expression of grape variety used (aromatic grapes)
2.Maturation in inert vessels for a year or longer (fuller/smoother texture and complexity) - Maturation in wood barrels (aromatic complexity and texture balance)
