Brandy is a type of distilled alcohol made from fermented fruit juices and other ingredients. It can be made from various fruits such as grapes, apples, pears and plums; making it an incredibly versatile spirit that can be enjoyed in various ways.
Brandy comes in many flavors and aromas, each with its own distinct character. Some brands are more overt than others; many contain fruits as well as herbs or spices for additional flavoring or aroma.
Brandies come from many countries around the world and feature various flavors such as nutmeg, vanilla and cinnamon. Others feature peach or apricot notes.
Most brandies are distilled from wine, though some can also be made with other fruits or even the pomace of the distilling process. After being aged in oak barrels for some time, brandy develops its distinct flavor and aroma as it rests.
The Making Of Brandy
In the first stage of distillation, a significant amount of water and solids is taken out from the base wine to reduce its alcohol content to around 28-30%. After that, filtered through a re-entry still to remove any residual flavors, then returned to pot still for further distillation to create more concentrated liquid.
The Age of a Product
Age can play an important role in determining its aroma and flavor profile. Some brands are ageing their brandies for decades, while others are only just now beginning to reveal their best characteristics.
Brandy can be divided into three primary categories: Eau de vie, Cognac and Armagnac. Unaged brandies like eau de vie are considered less premium than XO and hors d’age selections.
Hors d’age is the name given to brandy that has been aged for at least ten years. It tends to be more expensive than XO and requires a higher production cost in order to be produced.
Produced from a variety of grapes, including those used to make cognac and Armagnac, this bittersweet spirit is popular throughout France and often found in bartenders’ collections.
Due to climate and soil differences, different regions produce a vast selection of brandies with various tastes and aromas. Classic Spanish, France and Italian brands remain popular today alongside more exotic creations from the Balkans and Mediterranean regions. Visit for all Social News
Some brands are composed of both fruits and grains, such as Calvados from France or Grappa from Italy; others contain only one type of fruit, such as Applejack brandy from New Jersey.
Brandy is an ideal addition to a cocktail, providing depth and intensity that complements many other ingredients.
Brandy can be enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water. For optimal flavor and aromas, serve at room temperature. Click here to know all About Lifestyle
