Brandy

Brandy is a spirit distilled from fermented fruit juice or fruit pomace. The most popular fruits used are grapes, apples, pears, plums, cherries, and berries.

To make brandy, the chosen fruit is fermented into wine, cider, or another base. The fermented juice is then distilled, either singly in a pot still or doubly in a column still.

The resulting clear, high-proof spirit matures in oak casks, blending smoothness and flavor before bottling. Popular brandy styles include:

• Cognac - Grape brandy from the Cognac region of France. Aged in French oak.
• Armagnac - Grape brandy from the Armagnac region of France. Distinctive flavor profile.
• Calvados - Apple brandy from the Normandy region of France.
• Fruit brandies - From plums, cherries, pears and more. Capture delicate fruit essences.

Brandy was originally created as a preservation method for wine. Distilling wine into sturdy brandy allowed transportation to distant markets. Brandy production spread across Europe's winemaking regions.

When savored responsibly, brandy displays the concentrated fruit flavors and subtle oak notes of its production. Mature, high-quality brandies are enjoyed slowly, often as an after-dinner digestif.