BrandyBrandy Brandy is a spirit made by fermenting and Brandy is a spirit made by fermenting and

distillation fruits juice. When made from fruits distillation fruits juice. When made from fruits other than grapes the word brandy is linked with other than grapes the word brandy is linked with the name of the fruit. When the label reads the name of the fruit. When the label reads brandy alone it should be understood that it is brandy alone it should be understood that it is made from grapes. made from grapes.

Brandy has been characterized as the soul of Brandy has been characterized as the soul of wine. The word brandy has originated from the wine. The word brandy has originated from the Dutch word “BRANDWIJN” meaning burnt wine Dutch word “BRANDWIJN” meaning burnt wine which eventually got shortened to brandy.which eventually got shortened to brandy.

HistoryHistory Trade of wine existed between Trade of wine existed between La Rochelle Port on La Rochelle Port on

rive Charente of Cognac region of France and rive Charente of Cognac region of France and HollandHolland. .

During the war period the trading used to be halted During the war period the trading used to be halted thus giving rise to smuggling. thus giving rise to smuggling.

The Dutch shipmaster thought of concentrating the The Dutch shipmaster thought of concentrating the wine, elimination of water, then transporting the spirit wine, elimination of water, then transporting the spirit or soul of wine to Holland adding back the water. or soul of wine to Holland adding back the water.

On the arrival in Holland when they have tasted the On the arrival in Holland when they have tasted the concentrated wine found taste better then wine and concentrated wine found taste better then wine and called it "Brandwijn," meaning "burned wine," and called it "Brandwijn," meaning "burned wine," and later became "brandy."later became "brandy."

Brandies of FranceBrandies of France

CognacCognac ArmagnacArmagnac CalvadosCalvados Fruit BrandyFruit Brandy Pamace BrandyPamace Brandy

CognacCognac

Cognac is defined as the brandy produced Cognac is defined as the brandy produced form the Charante and Charante Maritime form the Charante and Charante Maritime department of the West Central France department of the West Central France comprising roughly an area of 2,50,000 comprising roughly an area of 2,50,000 acres enclosing the city of Cognac.acres enclosing the city of Cognac.

From the above mentioned definition it From the above mentioned definition it can very well be understood that all can very well be understood that all Cognacs are brandy but not all the Cognacs are brandy but not all the brandies are Cognac. brandies are Cognac. It war delimited It war delimited by law in year 1909. by law in year 1909.

Area of CognacArea of Cognac Grande Champagne (large meadow) - 14% Grande Champagne (large meadow) - 14% Petite Champagne (small meadow) - 14.7% .Petite Champagne (small meadow) - 14.7% . Borderies (edges) - 4.7% Borderies (edges) - 4.7% Fins Bois (fine woods) - Constitute 35.5% of the Fins Bois (fine woods) - Constitute 35.5% of the

area.area. Bons Bois (good woods) - Constitutes 24.7% Bons Bois (good woods) - Constitutes 24.7% Bois Ordinaire et Bois Terroir (ordinary woods and Bois Ordinaire et Bois Terroir (ordinary woods and

earth woods)- Constitutes 6% of the area.earth woods)- Constitutes 6% of the area.Note- The word Champagne has got nothing to do with Note- The word Champagne has got nothing to do with

the celebrated sparkling wine of France. It is the celebrated sparkling wine of France. It is originated from the word champ, which means originated from the word champ, which means field.field.

GrapesGrapes

Folle Blanche Folle Blanche (maximum), (maximum),

Saint Emilion Saint Emilion Colombar Colombar

( very less )( very less )- - all are white all are white grapes grapes

Colombar & Folle BlancheColombar & Folle Blanche

Production ProcessProduction Process

Cognac is best distilled from a white wine Cognac is best distilled from a white wine high in acid content and low in alcohol. high in acid content and low in alcohol.

The grapes are picked in late autumn, The grapes are picked in late autumn, gently pressed avoiding getting tannin. gently pressed avoiding getting tannin.

Only the juice of first pressing is used. The Only the juice of first pressing is used. The grape juice is allowed to rest along with grape juice is allowed to rest along with impurities. Sulphar di oxide is not added impurities. Sulphar di oxide is not added as the juice will go for a distillation (Acid is as the juice will go for a distillation (Acid is natural preservative). natural preservative).

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These impurities are necessary to These impurities are necessary to give full character to the brandy. give full character to the brandy. Wine fermented quickly in a stills or Wine fermented quickly in a stills or alembics along with skin and pips. alembics along with skin and pips.

After the fermentation harsh wine After the fermentation harsh wine with 8% to 10% is produced. Then with 8% to 10% is produced. Then the wine is transported to distillery in the wine is transported to distillery in huge wooden cask.huge wooden cask.

DistillationDistillation

The first distillation or Premiere The first distillation or Premiere ChauffChauff

The second distillation or Bonne The second distillation or Bonne ChauffChauff

Premiere ChauffPremiere Chauff Pot known as Chaudiere or Alembic Pot known as Chaudiere or Alembic

Charentaise. Charentaise. Capacity of the pot still 793 gallons. Capacity of the pot still 793 gallons. The Premiere Chauff (1st distillation) The Premiere Chauff (1st distillation)

has three parts:has three parts:• The head also called as Produit de tete.The head also called as Produit de tete.• The heart also called as Brouillis. (30%)The heart also called as Brouillis. (30%)• The tail also called as Produit de queue.The tail also called as Produit de queue.

Bonne ChauffBonne Chauff

1.1. HeadHead

2.2. Heart ( 70%)Heart ( 70%)

3.3. TailTail

AgeingAgeing Wooden casks ( capacity- 350 lts) for Wooden casks ( capacity- 350 lts) for

ageing. ageing. Cognac should be aged for a legal period Cognac should be aged for a legal period

of two years. of two years. casks made from Limousin or Troncais casks made from Limousin or Troncais

Oak. Oak. The cask must not have any nail or glue The cask must not have any nail or glue

inside. It has to be hand crafted. inside. It has to be hand crafted. As cognac matures in the cask a As cognac matures in the cask a

substantial 3- 5% gets evaporated through substantial 3- 5% gets evaporated through the pores of the cask. the pores of the cask.

Limousine ForestLimousine Forest

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This 3- 5% is around 22 million bottles or This 3- 5% is around 22 million bottles or one fourth of the annual world sales. one fourth of the annual world sales.

The evaporation, which takes place, is The evaporation, which takes place, is locally referred to as “ANGEL’S SHARE”. locally referred to as “ANGEL’S SHARE”.

This scents the atmosphere and This scents the atmosphere and environment of the Cognac city and environment of the Cognac city and nourishes the black coloured fungus nourishes the black coloured fungus (Torula) on the walls and the roofs of (Torula) on the walls and the roofs of Cognac warehouses. Cognac warehouses.

BlendingBlending Cognac is constantly blended and filtered with Cognac is constantly blended and filtered with

brandies of different age.brandies of different age. After each filtration it is transferred to a new cask and After each filtration it is transferred to a new cask and

temperature is increased. temperature is increased. Filtering is done at 0Filtering is done at 0C. C. A panel of experts does the final blending. A panel of experts does the final blending. Finally it is diluted with metallic water.Finally it is diluted with metallic water. Vintage Cognac is also known as Vintage Cognac is also known as RESERVE RESERVE

NOUVELLENOUVELLE.These cognacs are used for blending. .These cognacs are used for blending. In 1963 the French Govt. passed a regulation In 1963 the French Govt. passed a regulation

prohibiting the use of vintage date on the cognac prohibiting the use of vintage date on the cognac label. label.

Label ReadingLabel Reading Three stars systemThree stars system letters VS, VSP indicates the youngest cognac blend letters VS, VSP indicates the youngest cognac blend

of the minimum 2 years by law, but 3-5 years in of the minimum 2 years by law, but 3-5 years in practice. practice.

The letters VSOP or VSEP indicates that the The letters VSOP or VSEP indicates that the minimum age of youngest cognac in the blend is 4 minimum age of youngest cognac in the blend is 4 years with the average age going till 10-15 years. years with the average age going till 10-15 years.

The full form of VSPO is Very Superior (Very The full form of VSPO is Very Superior (Very Special) Old Pale but some noble heads in France Special) Old Pale but some noble heads in France give this full form as Versez Sans Oublier Personne give this full form as Versez Sans Oublier Personne which means Pour Without Omitting Anyone.which means Pour Without Omitting Anyone.

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Cognac, labled with names such as Napoleon, Cordon Cognac, labled with names such as Napoleon, Cordon Bleu, Triomphe, Vielle Reserve. XO, Extra Bleu, Triomphe, Vielle Reserve. XO, Extra Anniversaire e.t.c. indicates that the minimum age of Anniversaire e.t.c. indicates that the minimum age of the youngest cognac in the blend is 6 years with the the youngest cognac in the blend is 6 years with the average age going upwards up to 20 years.average age going upwards up to 20 years.

Cognac labeled with Extra and Grand Reserve etc is Cognac labeled with Extra and Grand Reserve etc is likely to have youngest cognac of 40 years. Along likely to have youngest cognac of 40 years. Along with age description the following term might also with age description the following term might also appear on label of cognac.appear on label of cognac.

Other TermsOther Terms

Grande Champagne or Grande Fine Grande Champagne or Grande Fine Champagne- grapes are grown in the Champagne- grapes are grown in the area of Grand Champagne.area of Grand Champagne.

Fine Champagne-grapes are obtained Fine Champagne-grapes are obtained from the Grand and Petit Champagne from the Grand and Petit Champagne region region

Boullier de Crus-A distiller who can distill Boullier de Crus-A distiller who can distill only the wine, which he produces.only the wine, which he produces.

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Boullier de Profession- Boullier de Profession- CourvisierCourvisier does not does not have a single vine yard or distillery. have a single vine yard or distillery.

FINE MAISON is a cheap quality brandy also FINE MAISON is a cheap quality brandy also known as house Brandy is served when the known as house Brandy is served when the guest gives the order without specifying any guest gives the order without specifying any brand.brand.

Brand NamesBrand Names

Bisquit, Bisquit, CamusCamus CourvoisierCourvoisier HardyHardy HenesseyHenessey HineHine Remy MartinRemy Martin

ArmagnacArmagnac It is known as the brandy of musketeers.It is known as the brandy of musketeers. Armagnac is produced from the area of Armagnac is produced from the area of

Gers, which is situated 113kms from the Gers, which is situated 113kms from the city of Bordeaux. city of Bordeaux.

This delimited area is present in the heart This delimited area is present in the heart of South Western France .of South Western France .

Armagnac is reposted as the oldest spirit Armagnac is reposted as the oldest spirit of the World, its distillation dates back to of the World, its distillation dates back to 1411. 1411.

Armagnac is the only spirit in the World, Armagnac is the only spirit in the World, which is legally allowed to print its vintage which is legally allowed to print its vintage year on the bottle. year on the bottle.

RegionsRegions

1.1. Bas ArmagnacBas Armagnac

2.2. Haut ArmagnacHaut Armagnac

3.3. TernarezTernarez

GrapesGrapes

Folle Blanche- also called as the Folle Blanche- also called as the Picquepoult.Picquepoult.

Baco 22- Originated from a cross Baco 22- Originated from a cross between Folle Blanche and Naoh between Folle Blanche and Naoh varities.varities.

Colombard- Some growers prefer Colombard- Some growers prefer this grape varietythis grape variety

Production ProcessProduction Process The white wine, with complete natural The white wine, with complete natural

fermentation .fermentation . Distillation takes place in traditional alembic Distillation takes place in traditional alembic

called as Alembic Armagnacais a unique called as Alembic Armagnacais a unique version of continuous still, small and version of continuous still, small and inefficient. inefficient.

The Armagnac comes out 55%.The Armagnac comes out 55%. Armagnac is aged in un-sawn, split oak Armagnac is aged in un-sawn, split oak

staves obtained from the Black Veined oak staves obtained from the Black Veined oak (Monlezen) of the forest of Gascony. (Monlezen) of the forest of Gascony.

The Capacity of the oaks is 410lit. Armagnac The Capacity of the oaks is 410lit. Armagnac is always aged in oak casks, for a period of is always aged in oak casks, for a period of time, before being bottled and sold. time, before being bottled and sold.

Armagnac is bottled in Basque bottle.Armagnac is bottled in Basque bottle.

Brand NamesBrand Names

1. J. De. Malliac.1. J. De. Malliac.

2. Chabbot.2. Chabbot.

3. Chabbot 553. Chabbot 55

Fruit BrandiesFruit Brandies Houx- Made from Holly Berries in FranceHoux- Made from Holly Berries in France

Kirch- Made from wild cherries. It is most Kirch- Made from wild cherries. It is most popular Eau de Vie. In Germany and popular Eau de Vie. In Germany and Switzerland the same is known as Kirshwasser.Switzerland the same is known as Kirshwasser.

Poire- Made from William pear. Occasionally one Poire- Made from William pear. Occasionally one sees a bottle of Poire containing a whole pear in sees a bottle of Poire containing a whole pear in it.it.

Framboise- Made from raspberries. In Germany Framboise- Made from raspberries. In Germany and Switzerland this known as Himbeergiest.and Switzerland this known as Himbeergiest.

Cont..Cont.. Mirabelle- Made from yellow plums in France.Mirabelle- Made from yellow plums in France.

Quetsch- Made from blue plums in France, Quetsch- Made from blue plums in France, Germany and Switzerland.Germany and Switzerland.

Slivovitz- made from Sljiva plums in Yugoslavia .Slivovitz- made from Sljiva plums in Yugoslavia .

Barack Palinka- Made from apricot in Australia Barack Palinka- Made from apricot in Australia and Hungary.and Hungary.

La vielle-plum based La vielle-plum based eau de vieeau de vie

Fraise-strawberriesFraise-strawberries

Kirsch & Poire WilliamKirsch & Poire William

Questch & BarackQuestch & Barack

Apple BrandyApple Brandy

CALVADOSCALVADOS- - it is an apple brandy. it is an apple brandy. Calvados is produced in the region of Calvados in Calvados is produced in the region of Calvados in

Normandy, France. Normandy, France. The earliest reference to calvodas in 1542 and got The earliest reference to calvodas in 1542 and got

appellation in 1942. appellation in 1942. Best calvados comes from region of Pay d’ Auge.Best calvados comes from region of Pay d’ Auge. It comes into four taste sweet, bitter sweet, bitter and It comes into four taste sweet, bitter sweet, bitter and

acid. The younger calvados smells like a apple but the acid. The younger calvados smells like a apple but the older ones smells like vanilla and spice. older ones smells like vanilla and spice.

Brand Names- Busnel Brand Names- Busnel

Pomace Brandies Pomace Brandies

Poor quality brandy made from pulp Poor quality brandy made from pulp skin, pips of grapes.skin, pips of grapes.

France-Marc France-Marc Italy -GrappaItaly -Grappa Portugal -Bagaciera.Portugal -Bagaciera. Spain - Aguardiente.Spain - Aguardiente. Germany -Testerbradwein.Germany -Testerbradwein. Greece -Metaxa. / Melana.Greece -Metaxa. / Melana.