🥃 Brandy del Penedés
Catalan grape brandy with an EU Protected Geographical Indication: at least 6 months in oak in Penedès and Constantí, from 36% ABV, up to 20 g/l sugar.
Brandy del Penedés is an EU Protected Geographical Indication for Catalan brandy made from wine distillates and aged in oak barrels. It may be produced and aged only in the comarcas of Alt Penedès and Baix Penedès and in the municipality of Constantí. The strength is from 36% ABV and sugars are up to 20 g/l, so by the technical file it is drier than other Spanish brandies.
Protected name. The name was registered on 12 June 1989; in the EU register it has the number PGI-ES-01946 and belongs to category 5, "brandies", of Regulation (EU) 2019/787. Since 2021 it has also been protected in the WIPO Lisbon Register. The applicant is the Association of Liquor Manufacturers of Catalonia, and the Government of Catalonia supervises it.
Production. The wine is distilled in columns or twice in Charentais stills, traditionally more often the second way. Holandas and wine spirits must provide more than half of the alcohol. Ageing lasts at least six months and takes place only in oak: static in barrels up to 500 l, or dynamic, as in a solera that starts in vats over 1,000 l and ends in barrels up to 500 l.
Labels. For the solera: Solera (over 6 months), Solera Reserva (over one year), Solera Gran Reserva (over three years). For static ageing: Reserva, Gran Reserva and the own designation Extra Or, which requires over five years and at least 40% ABV. Bottling inside the zone is not required. The technical file traces the history back to the medieval aqua vitae of Arnau de Vilanova.
Why it matters to you. "Brandy del Penedés" on the label means Catalan origin and oak ageing, not the sherry casks of Brandy de Jerez. The age designation shows how long the brandy has rested. WHO reminds us: there is no safe amount of alcohol.
Facts
| EU category | 5 — brandies (Brandy/Weinbrand); geographical indication PGI-ES-01946 |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Regulation (EU) 2019/787; Spanish Royal Decree 164/2014; technical file of 2016 |
| Raw material | wine; holandas, wine spirits and distillates up to 94.8% ABV |
| Distillation method | continuous column stills or double distillation in Charentais stills |
| Minimum maturation | 6 months in oak; Reserva — over 1 year, Gran Reserva — over 3 years, Extra Or — over 5 years |
| Cask type | oak: barrels up to 500 l; the solera starts in vats over 1,000 l |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | from 36% ABV; Extra Or — from 40% ABV; sugars up to 20 g/l |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Brandy del Penedés → kind of → 🍇 Grape brandies → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🏷️ Solera
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Related to
- 🥃 Aqua vitae, 📍 Penedès, 📍 Catalonia
- Part of
- 🍇 Grape brandies, 🥃 Brandy
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Brandy de Jerez, 🥃 Cognac
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Brandy del Penedés is the same as Brandy de Jerez?
No. These are two different geographical indications: Brandy del Penedés is aged in Catalonia, statically or dynamically, in oak; Brandy de Jerez is aged in Andalusia by the solera system in casks formerly used for sherry.
How long is Brandy del Penedés aged?
At least six months in oak; Reserva — over one year, Gran Reserva — over three years, Extra Or — over five years.
What is the strength of Brandy del Penedés?
From 36% ABV with no upper limit; for the Extra Or designation — from 40% ABV.
Where is Brandy del Penedés made?
In the municipalities of the comarcas of Alt Penedès and Baix Penedès and in Constantí (Tarragona), Catalonia; it may also be bottled outside the zone.
Why is it drier than other Spanish brandies?
The technical file limits sugars to 20 g/l, while for other Spanish brandies under the same file the usual figure is 35 g/l.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🥃 Cognac — French AOC grape spirit from the Charente: double-distilled and aged at least 2 years in oak.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Brandy italiano · 🥃 Côtes-du-Rhône wine spirit (Eau-de-vie de vin des Côtes-du-Rhône) · 🥃 Aguardente Vínica Bairrada · 🥃 Aguardente Vínica Lisboa · 🥃 Marne wine spirit (Eau-de-vie de vin de la Marne) · 🥃 Suhindol Grape Rakia (Suhindolska grozdova rakya)
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- MAPA (Spain): Brandy del Penedés — technical file, PGI-ES-01946 (2016): wine spirits distilled < 94.8 % vol., holandas + aguardientes > 50 %; column or double charentais distillation; min. 6 months in oak; static (< 500 l) and dynamic (> 1,000 l → < 500 l) ageing; Solera / Reserva / Gran Reserva / Extra Or; min. 36 % vol., reducing sugars ≤ 20 g/l; area Alt Penedès, Baix Penedès, Constantí; applicant Unió de Licoristes de Catalunya
- WIPO Lisbon Registry: certificate of registration GI-1161 Brandy del Penedés (registered 22.06.2021; EU, Art. 37 Reg. 2019/787; PGI-ES-01946, 12.06.1989)
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex III as at 31.01.2020 (legislation.gov.uk): 5. Brandy/Weinbrand — Brandy de Jerez, Brandy del Penedés (Spain), Brandy italiano (Italy), Deutscher Weinbrand, Wachauer Weinbrand, Pfälzer Weinbrand
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks, Annex I cat. 5 brandy or Weinbrand (min. 36 % vol., wine distillate max. 50 % of the alcohol, oak maturation min. 1 year or 6 months in casks under 1,000 l), Art. 37 (protection of GIs)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)