🥃 Brandy

Brandy is a strong drink made by distilling wine and ageing it in oak barrels. The word comes from the Dutch brandewijn, “burnt wine”. The usual strength is 36 to 40 percent and above.

It is made like this. Raw spirit is obtained from wine by distilling it in copper stills. The clear spirit goes into oak barrels. There, over the years, it darkens, softens and gains aromas of vanilla, dried fruit, wood and spice. The longer the ageing, the more complex the taste and the higher the price.

Different grapes are used for brandy. Varieties such as Rkatsiteli, Colombard, Folignan, Trebbiano Toscano and Select are used, depending on the country. The best-known kinds are cognac and armagnac from France, brandy de Jerez from Spain, Weinbrand in Germany and Austria, pisco in South America and divin in Moldova.

Brandy is a grape product but not wine: it is made from wine. It is drunk in small servings, often after a meal. Alcohol is for adults only and best taken in moderation.