Fruit spirits Flashcards
How are fruits processed? x2
Crushed and pressed to create sugary liquid which is then fermented and distilled. Grapes (high acid and fairly neutral esp. some use aromatic grapes. eg Pisco. Distillation concentrates flavour. Ugni Blanc for Cognac. Folle Blanche aromatic for Armagnac.
+ Pomace - brandies. white grape skins mixed with water. red grapes/skins ready for distillation as gone through ferment. Pomace skins = herbacious spicy aroma.
Macerated in neutral spirit, then re-distilled. (avoid flavours created through fermentation, also can be hard to extract juice by crushing. Eg Vodkas and Gins
Cognac 4 big companies?
Remy Martin
Martell
Courvoisier
Hennessy
Cognac vs Armagnac ages
Cognac 2-4-6 same
VS 2 (nb 2 as min)
VSOP 4
XO/Hors d’age/Nap 6
Armagnac 1-4-6-10 (longer name longer list) Blanche 3 months steel (no oak) VS 1 VSOP 4* XO 6* Hors d'age/ Vintage 10
Cognac regions
Grand Champ Petite Champ Borderais 100% grape provenance blend of above = X
Fine Champagne is what?
blend of Grand and Petite Champ Cognac (50% Grand min)
VSOP Cognac style?
richer and fuller than VS - plus tertiary aromas
XO Cognac style
compex raisin, floral, oak, rancio and Smooth
Armagnac regions? x2
Bas Armagnac
Tenareze
Ugni Blanc for Cognac or Armagnac?
Ugni Blanc for Cognac .
Not exclusive grape
Folle Blanche for Cognac or Armagnac?
Folle Blanche for Armagnac (v aromatic fruity and floral
many others used too.
Baco = prunes
Grappa from where?
Italy
Grappa made from what?
pomace
key grape for grappa?
and style?
and maturation?
Moscato
very herbacious, sharp texture
inert vessel maturation for a year or more for smoother mouthfeel
pomace brandies typically oaked?
no.
Cognac distillation?
Copper Pot still DOUBLE distilled. must use direct heat source
nb terms vary from whisky
legal requirements
Still head - Chapiteau
Swan neck - Col de Cygne (like Lynn arm)
Worm tube condenser (old fashioned style)
Up to 72% when comes off 2nd distil/legal max
Cognac aromas
raisin and violets
nb regional variations
picked autumn and distilled done by mid March
Cognac blends of…
typically blends from different grapes regions ages NB slight sweetening at bottling is typical.
Armagnac distillation?
most use a continuous still. Alambic armagnacais Distils to 52-60% very short. few plates. therefore very characterful and low strength
notable points of distinction between Cognac and Armagnac?
Armagnac vintage dated more common
Armaganc and blanche / from folle blanche
Cognac pot double distil/ silk vs velvet
Nb distil strengths different
C >72
A >60
Calvados made from x2?
apples and pears
short column stills and pot stills
large oak vessel maturation typical
apple aromas
Pisco from where?
from what?
most aged or unaged?
S America
aromatic grapes esp Muscats
unaged
