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Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2023-09-27 Origin: Site
For many, brandy is a spirit favored by the mature crowd. Imagine an older man sitting in a plush reclining leather armchair next to a roaring fire with a cigar in his mouth - and he's holding a glass of brandy, right?
However, this is a very outdated stereotype. Today, brandy is widely enjoyed by young creatives, business people, and even full-time working moms - and, of course, by famous men in suits, smoking cigars, and with a full head of silver hair.
No doubt many will be curious to learn more about brandy, and we've found everything you need to know to come along for the ride!
Brandy is generally a distilled spirit made from fermented fruit juices. It can be produced from grapes or other types of fruit such as apples. Calvados, pisco, Armagnac, and applejack are all types of brandy. Unlike cognac, brandy can be produced anywhere in the world.
Cognac: Although Cognac is a type of brandy, to earn this designation it must meet certain specific criteria. Like Champagne, Cognac is named after its region of origin and must be made in Charente, in the Cognac region of France, with white grapes from one of six different terroirs; the Ugni Blanc grape variety is the main ingredient, with grapes from the "Grande Champagne" terroir being the most coveted! After distillation, the liquids are blended and aged, which is what makes Cognac unique.
Armagnac: Armagnac, similar to cognac, is named after a town in France where it originated - slightly south of the town of Cognac. It has been around longer and is a more affordable option.
Other types include the American applejack brandy, made by repeatedly freezing cider and then removing the top layer of ice (pure water, which makes the remaining spirit stronger), the French apple brandy Calvados, and the Spanish brandy De Jerez, which is often used to fortify sherry. In addition to ordinary brandy, there is also a "pomace" brandy, which is distilled from grape skins. Grappa from Italy and Pisco from South America are examples of pomace.
VS stands for "Very Special". It means that the youngest of Cognac's Vital Waters is aged for at least two years. The letters are determined by the BNIC (Bureau National de l'Interprofession du Cognac), the authority on Cognac brandies. Due to its heavier taste, VS works well with some ice and a ginger tonic.
VSOP means "Very Superior Old Pale". In order to earn the name VSOP, this precious amber-colored liquid needs to be blended with cognac, the youngest of which must be aged for at least four years. VSOP can often be found in cocktail recipes because it is so versatile.
XO means "extra old" and is a blend in which the youngest brandy is at least 6 years old.
It should be noted that age does not necessarily mean quality, although the older the brandy, the more expensive it is.
Traditionally, brandy can be served neat or on the rocks. High-end cognacs and Armagnac brandies are drunk neat, without ice, so as not to mask the subtle flavors. Nonetheless, brandy is a versatile spirit that also makes a great cocktail base. You can grab some stirrers and syrup to mix up some cosmopolitan brandy, brandy sidecar, or sangria sparkling wine.
Hennessy is one of the world's most recognized brands of cognac brandy. This spirit was invented by Maurice Hennessy in 1870. Depending on the type of bottle you drink, Hennessy can offer oak, vanilla, and spice flavors. Hennessy VS is the most popular premium cognac in the world. It is full-bodied with flavors of roasted nuts and fruit, floral notes, vanilla spice, and lots of oak.
Remy Martin is another famous cognac brand. It is a blend of 1,200 individual Vital Waters from great vineyards. As the benchmark for blended VSOP, Remy Martin VSOP Authentic French Brandy is a must-try. It delivers a round and sweet oak flavor that is perfect for drinking neat.
Fundador is a brandy from Jerez, Spain. Fundador Light is 28% alcohol by volume and is aged in American oak casks that were previously used to distill sherry. This brandy has a light caramel and slightly woody aroma with a subtle and smooth flavor.
