Fruit spirits

Question 1

How are fruits processed? x2

Answer 1

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 for Grappa >. white grape skins mixed with water. red grapes/skins ready for distillation as gone through ferment. Pomace skins = herbacious spicy aroma.

Question 2

Cognac 4 big companies?

Answer 2

Remy Martin
Martell
Courvoisier
Hennessy

Question 3

Cognac vs Armagnac ages

Answer 3

Cognac 2-4-10
VS 2 (nb 2 as min)
VSOP 4*
XO/Hors d’age 10

Armagnac 1-4-6-10 (longer name longer list)
Blanche 3 months steel (no oak)
VS 1
VSOP 4*
XO 10
Hors d'age/ Vintage 10

*same for both

Question 4

Cognac regions x3

Answer 4

Grand Champ
Petite Champ
Borderais

Question 5

Fine Champagne is what?

Answer 5

blend of Grand and Petite Champ Cognac (50% Grand min)

Question 6

VSOP Cognac style?

Answer 6

richer and fuller than VS - more oak aromas eg vanilla

Question 7

XO Cognac style

Answer 7

compex raisin, floral, oak, rancio (eg fruit cake) and Smooth

Question 8

Armagnac regions? x2

Answer 8

Bas Armagnac

Tenareze

Question 9

Which uses mostly Ugni Blanc, Cognac or Armagnac?

Answer 9

Ugni Blanc for Cognac .

Question 10

Folle Blanche for Cognac or Armagnac?

Answer 10

Folle Blanche for Armagnac (v aromatic fruity and floral
Others used too.
eg, Baco = prunes

Question 11

Grappa from where?

Answer 11

Italy

Question 12

Grappa made from what?

Answer 12

pomace

Question 13

key grape for Grappa?
and style?
and maturation?

Answer 13

Moscato
very herbacious, sharp texture
inert vessel maturation for a year or more for smoother mouthfeel

Question 14

pomace brandies typically oaked?

Answer 14

no.

Question 15

Cognac distillation?

Answer 15

Copper Pot still DOUBLE distilled.
must use direct heat source

Worm tube condenser (old fashioned style)
Up to 72% when comes off 2nd distil/legal max

Question 16

Cognac aromas

Answer 16

raisin and violets

Question 17

Cognac blends of…

Answer 17

typically blends from different 
grapes
regions
ages
NB slight sweetening at bottling is typical.

Question 18

Armagnac distillation?

Answer 18

most use a continuous still.
Alambic armagnacais
Distils to 52-60% (so lots more congeners)
very short column still.
few plates.
therefore very characterful and low strength

Question 19

notable points of distinction between Cognac and Armagnac?

Answer 19

Armagnac vintage dated more common
Armaganc and folle blanche - clear, unaged

Nb distil strengths different
C >72
A >60

Question 20

Calvados made from x2?

Answer 20

apples and pears

Question 21

Pisco from where?
from what?
most aged or unaged?

Answer 21

S America
aromatic grapes esp Muscats
unaged