OTHER BRANDYS

Question 1

Name 3 French brandies not from Armagnac or Cognac regions?

Answer 1

brandies labeled as Fine de Bordeaux, Fine de Bourgogne, and Fine de la Marne are made in each corresponding region, but are rarely seen today.

Question 2

What is Weinbraund?

Answer 2

German Brandy The German distiller Asbach produces Weinbraund in a Charentais pot still, using base wine produced from Cognac grapes

Question 3

Spain has an important tradition of brandy production, predating that of Cognac, in what region?

Answer 3

Andalucía.

Question 4

What is a protected designation for brandies produced in the region of sherry and aged in a similar solera method?

Answer 4

Brandy de Jerez

Question 5

Brandy de Jerez is distilled in what?

Answer 5

copper stills (alquitaras)

Question 6

Brandy de Jerez is based on what grapes?

Answer 6

Airén and Palomino grapes

Question 7

What comprises the solera used by Brandy de Jerez producers?

Answer 7

Used American oak sherry casks comprise the solera, which allows Brandy de Jerez producers to achieve excellent consistency year after year.

Question 8

Brandies labeledSolerawill have been aged for how long?

Answer 8

one year on average

Question 9

Brandies labeledSolera Reserva will have been aged for how long?

Answer 9

average three years

Question 10

Brandies labeledSoleraGran Reserva will have been aged for how long?

Answer 10

average ten years

Question 11

Name some notable sherry producers who also make Brandy de Jerez?

Answer 11

Domecq, Emilio Lustau, and Osborne

Question 12

Where are lighter brandies produced in Spain?

Answer 12

Lighter brandies are produced in Catalonia, from producers such as Miguel Torres.

Question 13

What are Portuguese brandies called?

Answer 13

aguardente

Question 14

The Italian producer Buton makes what style brandies from what grapes

Answer 14

Italian producer Buton makes Cognac-style brandies from Trebbiano grapes—the Italian synonym for Ugni Blanc.

Question 15

Describe California brandies

Answer 15

Californian brandies, made from 100% Californian grapes, have historically been of lesser quality, but newer entries from producers like Germain-Robin, an artisan producer in Ukiah, are generating great praise.

Question 16

What is Pisco?

Answer 16

Pisco, a brandy produced in Chile and Peru, is not aged in wood and is experiencing resurgent popularity in the US as the base of the Pisco Sour cocktail.

Question 17

T/F If viticulture is prevalent in an area, someone is likely distilling wine into brandy.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

Are Pomace spirits brandies?

Answer 18

Pomace spirits are produced from pomace—the remnants left after pressing grapes—rather than wine and are therefore not brandies, but they share similar characteristics.

Question 19

Is water added to the Pomace?

Answer 19

Water may or may not be added to the pomace, depending on the spirit.

Question 20

Name 3 examples of Pomace spirits

Answer 20

Marc(France),grappa(Italy), andbagaceira(Portugal) are examples of pomace spirits

Question 21

Where is Marc produced?

Answer 21

In France,marcis produced in most wine regions but the best examples are made in Champagne, Alsace, and Burgundy.

Question 22

What is the reputation of Grappa?

Answer 22

The Italian grappa long suffered a reputation of lower quality—often likened to jet fuel in character and strength. Today, happily, many quality grappas are produced throughout Italy, particularly in regions associated with fine wine.

Question 23

Who first distilled a single varietal grappa?

Answer 23

Jacopo Poli and Giannola Nonino, the first to distill a single varietal—Picolit—for grappa, produce refined and aromatic examples.

Question 24

Is Grappa clear?

Answer 24

Most grappa is clear in color; however, some wood-aged examples may be found, labeled riserva,stravecchia, vecchiaorinvecchiata. Grappa may be aromatized, with the addition of herbal, spice, or fruit flavor.