#9 Hereâs a short lesson on Brandyâ¦of which Cognac is but one of many brandies:
Brandies are distilled wines. Brandy can be used either specifically to refer to distillates of grape wines, or, more generally, to spirits distilled from any fermented fruit. Another generic term that can be used is eau de vie (French for water of life). Some fruit liqueurs are labelled as brandies, but, not being distilled from fruit, aren't true brandies. The word brandy comes the Dutch word brandewijn, meaning burnt wine. Brandy is often made from thin, harsh, acidic wine; bad wine can make good brandy.
Many varieties of brandies have their own specific names:
Applejack - apple brandy
Armagnac - grape brandy from the Pays de Gascogne in south-west France
Calvados - apple brandy from Normandy
Cognac - grape brandy from a region in western France consisting of the départements of Charente and Charente-Maritime
Grappa - made from grape skins, stems, seeds etc., the residue of wine-making (Italian)
Marc - made from grape skins, stems, seeds etc., the residue of wine-making (French)
Metaxa - Greek grape brandy
Pisco - clear grape brandy from South America
Some useful brandy terms:
V.S. - minimum age of any brandy in the blend is 3 years, also known as three-star
V.S.O.P. - five years old; also *****
X.O. - six years and older
Hereâs a few particular âBrandiesâ:
Ararat ***:
Three year old Armenian brandy, from Yerevan. Lightly aromatic, with a fairly sharp, mild taste with a touch of fruit.
T ***
Boulard Grand Solage:
This Calvados Pas d'Auge is a lively deep orange-brown colour, with a well-balanced heavy-duty lightly fruity nose. A fairly relaxed and laid-back drink, but far from lifeless. Smooth, easy to drink.
T ****
Carpenè Malvolti Finissima Grappa Bianca:
This Finest White Grappa has a rather alarming streak of squid in the nose. Luckily this fish-market aroma is not evident in the taste, which is well-balanced and harmonious, though restrained and rather dour. 40% alcohol, distilled in steam-heated copper alembics.
T **
Control Pisco Especial:
In the way of pisco, this brandy is clear and tastes and smells very fruity. Pleasantly drinkable, with an earthy grappa-like flavour. Different, but one can get used to it. It has quite a bite, despite being a lightweight at 35% alcohol. From Chile.
T *** S ***
Control Pisco Reservado:
Almost clear, with just enough colour to be seen. Less overtly fruity than the younger Especial, it's still robustly fresh and earthy. 40% alcohol, from Chile.
T ***
Fantinel Grappa Friulana:
Robust in flavour, with a healthy earthy aroma. Long-lasting aftertaste, nice flavour. From Italy, 41% alcohol. Your keyboard will never be the same again if you spill this through it.
T ***
Hardys Black Bottle Brandy:
From South Australia, this is a cheap, decently smooth and drinkable brandy. Seems harmless enough. 37.1% alcohol.
T ***
Jacquin's Apricot Flavored Brandy: 200 ml bottle
66 proof and smells strongly of apricots. This is made by America's oldest cordial producer. Strangely enough, I found this to be quite pleasant despite not liking apricots. A fruity nectar of the gods if you like them. Glen says it's beautiful. A low-end product, but tasty all the same.
T *** G *****
Jacquin's Blackberry Flavored Brandy:
Now I am a big fan of the blackberry but this stuff doesn't seem to cut it and is a poor cousin of the Apricot Jacquin's. I suppose a 70 proof fruit drink may stray quite a way from it's original flavour and I've been told this stuff is a good mixer with club soda/seltzer. Mixing isn't our game but to be fair, we'll give it a try one day.
G **
Jaloviina Ãdelbrännvin:
A blend of cognac and neutral spirit, this is a traditional Finnish ``noble drink,'' and it's a little sharp, but quite nice and drinkable. Probably an improvement on the original cognac. A cheap and tasty substitute, 40%, made since 1932.
T *** Kaj ****
Thereâs moreâ¦but check out âShrine to Spiritsâ for a whole host of options.
Drink up!
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GEORGE Bush yesterday offered an olive branch to hostile European leaders — but was snubbed by the French President. ...But French President Jacques Chirac — dubbed Le Worm — was doing his best to scupper bridge-building. He will snub a meeting with Iraqi PM Iyad Allawi in Brussels today. It is a sleight aimed at Mr Bush and Tony Blair, who back Mr Allawi.