Brandy , which derive from the Dutch wordbrandewijnmeaning “ burned vino , ” is precisely that — in a way . It ’s distil wine , which imply the wine-colored is heated to the point of vaporisation . Brandy can also refer to a distilled spirit made from fruits like Malus pumila , cherries and peaches , but more often than not , it ’s distilled from wine made from grapevine . And like wine-colored , a heck of a lot of the best poppycock comes from France . Whether you wish it as an after - dinnerdigestif , enjoy it in a cocktail like the Sidecar or just think you search dapper while holding a snifter , brandy is a spirit worthy of any liquor cabinet .
Note : If you got to this varlet by accident and were actually searching for information on the singer / actress Brandy , we excuse . But please , stick around . It might be worth your while .
The History of Brandy
Brandy , like many of the best thing in living , was invented by fortuity . In the other 16th century , enterprising Dutch merchants purify wine-colored to keep it during transport and to export higher volume , stand for to bring water after turn over their finish . But upon arrival , people found that the distilled spirit ( which was transported in wooden caskful ) tasted just great — no water needed .
Many winemaking countries lead off distilling their own versions of the intent . The high grade and most renowned brandy come from France , although Spain , as well as countries like Bulgaria and Georgia , also give some quality bottlings . Spanish missioner also wreak brandy output to California , where it is still produced today .
Fun fact : Aside from being a delicious spirit , brandy was also used in the first thermometer before scientist switched to mercury .
How Is Brandy Made?
Just because you happen to have a feeding bottle of vino and a still does n’t mean you’re able to make brandy . Brandy is distil from a base wine-colored made from young grapes , which have higher acidity and low moolah grade than the grapes from which table wine is made . The succus from these grapevine spends two to three week work , after which , the juice is ready to be purify , a mental process that varies between grade .
Brandy , like many of the best thing in life , was invent by accident .
Cognac is double - make pure in copper deal stills , leaving it at about 70 % ABV . Armagnac , which often fall in the dark of its more celebrated counterpart , is extract just once , typically in a tower still . Distilling the brandy once pull up stakes it at about 50 % ABV .
When it is made from grapevine , brandy is typically get on in oak barrel after distillation for at least two years — though some high - end brandies are age anywhere from 6 to 50 years . V.S. ( very special ) , also bang as “ three star , ” is the youngest form of brandy , mature at least two years . V.S.O.P. ( very old super pale ) refers to brandy that has been age for at least four eld . XO ( extra old ) or “ Napoleon , ” named after the vanquisher himself , come to to brandy aged at least six years . And finally , hors d’age must run into a 10 - yr necessity , although it is typically maturate well longer .
Like non - individual - malt whiskey , many brandies like Cognac , Armagnac and Brandy de Jerez ( Spanish brandy ) are typically made with a blend of different vintages . Doing this see not only complex flavors but also consistency throughout the years .
Where Is Brandy Made?
France : It ’s no surprise that France , plate to some of the world ’s best wines , would be a major player in the brandy - making industriousness . The country is , primarily , home to two main style : Cognac and Armagnac , both named after the regions in which they are grow .
Spain : Spain produce Brandy de Jerez in , appropriately , Jerez . These brandy are age using the solera system ( much likesherry , which the region is live for ) . Barrels are arranged in a Great Pyramid from oldest to untested . To produce a brandy , master liquidiser take criterion from different barrels and shuffle them together . Then they top the barrels off with vernal brandy .
South America : Many Spanish - speaking rural area have taken to produce brandy , include Chile and Peru , both of which , to this day , claim they are the first to have produce a type of brandy holler pisco . Pisco is made from grapes , and it is unaged , unlike other styles of grapevine - ground brandy .
United States : America manufactures its fair share of brandy as well . American brandy are age two year before bottling . ( company are require to mark their Cartesian product as “ unripe ” if it is aged any less . ) Only grape - establish brandies can be labeled as straight brandy . If the distiller used any other fruit like apple or salmon pink , the bottle must indicate that on the recording label .
Brandy Styles
Cognac : Widely consider to be the best of the brandies , Cognac strike its name from the wine - make neighborhood in France in which it ’s acquire . There are numerous legal regulations that all Cognacs must meet . The succus must be pressed from Ugni Blanc grapes . It must be distilled twice , and it must be aged longer than two years . That said , Cognac is typically aged well past the necessary minimum , with the good and most expensive spend 50 - plus eld in an oak caskful .
Armagnac : Cognac ’s wonderful but underappreciated younger comrade , Armagnac , must also be press from certain grapes , although restrictions are a scrap more lax . Also unlike Cognac , Armagnac is only distilled once , ultimately create a brandy that is richer in flavour than Cognac but with less boozy flush .
Pisco : Pisco is an unaged brandy made from grapes in Chile and Peru . To this day , the two countries are duking it out over who launch the unorthodox type of brandy . Though it is not so mutual in the U.S. , sales are skyrocketing , with exports growing exponentially class after yr . Get ready to see more of this naked as a jaybird , white spirit .
American Brandy : While the U.S. does bring down the same two - year lower limit as France , that ’s about the only rule American brandy Godhead call for to be . That lack of regularisation on fixings and age grades makes American brandy a good but not optimal selection , as it ’s difficult to say what exactly you ’re baffle in terms of quality .
Eaux de vie : An eau de vie is an unaged brandy made from any yield besides grapeshot , such as apples , cherries and peaches . The termination ? Something similar to an authentic German schnaps .
How Do I Drink Brandy Straight?
Cognacs and even higher grade Armagnacs are brandy good enjoyed not bad at way temperature . Brandy is very sore to heat ; just the heat of your hand can be enough to warm up the brandy and tone the alcoholic aroma , much to some brandy - drinkers ’ preference . In fact , it ’s not rare for brandy drinkers to ask for their glass to be warmed before the brandy is stream .
Notable Brandy Cocktails
Sidecar : Made with Cognac , orange liqueur and lemon tree juice , the Sidecar is an underappreciated Graeco-Roman cocktail that merit to be revive .
Brandy Hot Toddy : Nothing cures a coldness like a Hot Toddy , and brandy is a the double-dyed spirit to avail do the job .
Brandy Alexander : Dessert in a field glass . A Brandy Alexander is made with brandy , crème de cacao and ointment .
Pisco Sour : scrumptiously sweet and tangy , the Pisco Sour is topped with frothy egg whites .
Brandy Old Fashioned : swop out brandy for the common whiskey in an Old Fashioned and you will be luxuriously rewarded .
