Brandy

Brandy is a liquor distilled from wine (brandy)or fermented fruit juice (fruit brandy). Is isthen are aged in wood containers, which contributes flavor and color.The name "brandy" comes from the Dutch brandewijn, meaning"burned wine".

The best known of all wine based brandies is the French Cognacproduced in the Cognac (Charente) region of France. A relative of theCognac is the Armagnac. It has a richer taste but less finesse thanthe Cognac.

Several other countries than France produce brandies. Some of themare Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Germany, the United States, Chileand Peru.

Spanish brandy

The Spanish brandies are a by-product of the production of sherry.They have a full flavor and are slightly sweet.

Greek brandy

One famous Greek brandy is the Metaxa. It is distilled from redgrapes, sweetened and flavored with herbs.

South American brandy

The best known South Americanbrandy is the Pisco, national drink of Chile.

Brandy is not always distilled from the wine. Marc, from France,and grappa, from Italy, are distilled from the remaining skins, husksand stems of the wine production. They are not always aged and have alight yellow color (if any).

Most fruit brandies are made from fermented fruit mash (such asapples and pears), but other sugar-poor fruits not capable offermentation (such as raspberries and blackberries) can be soaked inneutral spirits and then re-distilled. Most fruit brandies are aged insteel, glass or clay containers, keeping them colorless and clear.

Within the general category of fruit brandies, a distinction ismade between distillates from pomaceous fruits, stone fruits andberries.

Brandy from pomaceous fruits

This is fruit brandy made from apple and pear. A must or cider ismade from the fruit, aged and then distilled. This produce a rawdistillate with high alcohol content. The distillate is then dilutedwith water and sometimes aged on casks. The best known apple brandy isCalvados.

Brandy from stone fruits

The most important stone-fruit brandy is kirschwasser made fromsweet or sour cherries. Other popular stone-fruit brandies are plumbrandy and apricot brandy.

Brandy from berries

Most berries have too little fruits to ferment properly, and aresoaked in neutral spirits which absorbs the flavors. The alcohol andberries is then distilled. The best known berry-brandy is theraspberry brandy, but brandies are also made from bilberries,blackberries, strawberries, black and red currant and cranberries.

Fruit brandies are either served neat as an aperitif or used inmixed drinks. Fruit brandy served neat should not be chilled.