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Brandy Flashcards

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1
Q

Why and when was wine first distilled?

A

In the 16th century, to concentrate the wine for shipment to Holland for tax and transport reasons.

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2
Q

What is the definition of brandy in the EU?

A

A spirit distilled from grape wine. (Other wine spirits can be added)

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3
Q

What is the ABV requirement for distillation of brandy in the EU?

A

Must be distilled at a maximum of 94.8% ABV

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4
Q

What is the minimum ABV for brandy in the EU before bottling?

A

37.5% ABV

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5
Q

What are the aging requirements for brandy in the EU?

A

Must be matured for at least one year in any type of oak, or for no less than 6 months in small oak barrels.

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6
Q

What is the minimum ABV for bottling brandy in the EU?

A

Not less than 36% ABV

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7
Q

What is a synonym for brandy in the EU?

A

Weinbrand

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8
Q

May brandy be flavored in the EU?

A

No, except for certain traditional production methods.

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9
Q

May caramel coloring be added to brandy in the EU?

A

Yes

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10
Q

What was the original Dutch term for brandy?

A

Brandewijn (burnt wine)

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11
Q

What is flavored brandy?

A

In the US, brandies flavored with natural flavorings. Bottled at a minimum of 30% ABV. If there is a predominant flavor, must appear on the label. Most flavored brandies are sweetened, can sometimes also be classified as liqueurs.

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12
Q

What is a fruit spirit in the EU?

A

Commonly known as fruit brandy, made from fruits like plums, apples, pears, raspberries, blackberries, apricots, peaches, cherries, or other fruits.

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13
Q

Do fruit spirits in the EU need to be aged?

A

No

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14
Q

What is the required ABV for distillation of fruit spirits in the EU?

A

Must be distilled at less than 86% ABV

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15
Q

What are the three classes of fruit used in fruit spirit production?

A

Seeded fruits
Stone fruits
Soft fruit/berries

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16
Q

What are some examples of seeded fruit used for fruit spirit production?

A

Williams pear (poire Williams)
Apples
Quince

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17
Q

What are some examples of stone fruits used for fruit spirits?

A

Cherries (Kirsch)
Plums (Mirabelle and Quetsch)
Apricots

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18
Q

What are some examples of berries/soft fruits used for fruit spirit production?

A

Raspberries
Strawberries

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19
Q

What are some ways distillers protect their fruit and juice from spoilage?

A

Process quickly
Refrigerate fruit/juice
Blanket the fruit in a gas (typically CO₂)

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20
Q

What are the two main techniques for preparing fruit for distillation in the production of fruit spirits?

A

Maceration
Alcoholic fermentation

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21
Q

What must be carefully managed during distillation when working with fruits that have been fermented in fruit spirit production?

A

High levels of methanol due to the nature of the fruit.

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22
Q

May fruit spirits in the EU be flavored?

A

No

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23
Q

What is the distillation requirements in the US for neutral brandy?

A

Must be distilled at more than 170 proof.

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24
Q

What are some benefits of copper stills over stainless?

A

They are easier to manipulate into still shapes, and during the vapor stage, promote chemical reactions that produce new aroma compounds.

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25
How are fruit spirits typically distilled?
Batch distilled in pot stills or hybrid stills. Hybrid stills are more common.
26
What are some advantages of stainless over copper stills?
Stainless lasts longer and provides a cleaner, more consistent distillate.
27
What is the name for unaged grape brandy in the EU?
Wine spirits
28
What is the bottling ABV required for fruit spirits in the EU?
Must be bottled at a minimum of 37.5% ABV
29
What is the usual ABV of the base fermented wine or fruit juice in brandy production?
6-10% ABV
30
Are most fruit and pomace brandies aged or not? Why?
Most fruit and pomace brandies are not aged and kept out of wood. Allows the full flavor of the base material to show, and keeps the spirit colorless.
31
What is another name for fruit spirit in the EU?
Wasser (with the name of the fruit preceding - eg kirschwasser)
32
Why are stills run slowly in the production of fruit spirits?
To allow the distiller to make precise cuts to regulate Group1 and Group3 fractions.
33
What may geist spirits be made from?
Fruit, flowers, vegetables, or spices.
34
What is the difference between a Geist and Brand or Wasser spirit
Geists are made by macerating in a diluted neural spirit, and then redistilling the spirit. A Brand or Wasser spirit is the term used for fruits that have been fermented and then distilled.
35
What type of wood are the small number of fruit spirits that use wood matured in?
Rarely oak (to avoid the overpowering aromas). Chestnut and Ash are more common.
36
What is a geist spirit?
A spirit made by macerating soft fruits in neutral alcohol to impart their flavor, and then the resulting infused liquid is distilled.
37
What do distillers hope to achieve from oak maturation of fruit spirits?
Oxidative, dried fruit aromas with only a subtle wood aroma. To avoid rancio from long aging (would obscure the fruit aromas).
38
What is the ABV requirement for bottling brandy in the US?
No less than 40% ABV
39
In the US, what term must be on a bottle of grape brandy (preceding the term brandy) that has not undergone at least two years of oak aging?
"Immature" or "Unaged"
40
What must appear on a label before the term brandy for fruit brandy in the US?
The name of the fruit.
41
What percentage of a grape brandy may be grape pomace or lees in the US?
Up to 30%
42
What is the only type of brandy allowed to be labeled simply as brandy (without a qualifier name) in the US?
Grape brandy
43
Why might distillers choose maceration over fermentation in fruit spirit production?
If they use soft fruits/berries, the amount of juice is so small fermentation is impractical. Yeast from fermentation may create flavors that they want to avoid.
44
What are some categories of brandy defined by the US Standards of Identity?
Grape brandy Fruit brandy Pomace brandy Neutral brandy
45
What is the ABV requirement for distillation of brandy in the US?
Less than 95% ABV
46
What is the US definition of brandy?
A distilled spirit produced using the fermented juice, mash, or wine of fruit (or the residue thereof)
47
What are some fruit names that may replace the word spirit on a label in the EU?
Mirabelle Quetsch Williams
48
What is Mirabelle?
A French plum brandy made from yellow plums.
49
What is Quetsch?
A French plum brandy (using black plums) made in Alsace.
50
What is Poire Williams?
A pear spirit produced using the Williams, or Bartlett, variety.
51
What is pear brandy formally called?
Eaux de vie de poire
52
What are the most widely used grapes used in South African brandy production
Colombard and Chenin Blanc
53
How is South African brandy distilled?
Both pot stills and column stills are used.
54
What is the maximum distillation strength for pot stills in South African brandy?
75% ABV
55
What is the maximum distillation strength of South African brandy distilled using Column Stills?
95% ABV
56
What is a unique feature of South African brandy?
It can be distilled to be a neutral spirit.
57
What are the three types of South African brandy?
Pot Still Brandy Blended Brandy Vintage Brandy
58
Where is most of the brandy in South Africa produced?
Robertson and Worcester.
59
When was the first brandy made in South Africa?
1672.
60
What is South African Pot Still brandy?
100% pot still brandy (as of 2014) Must be aged minimum 3 years in oak, with a minimum bottling strength of 38% ABV.
61
What is South African Blended brandy?
A brandy made up of a minimum of 30% pot still brady, with unmatured wine spirits permitted to be used up to a maximum of 70% of the blend. Must be bottled at a minimum of 43% ABV
62
What is South African Vintage brandy?
Produced from between 30% and 80% pot still distillate that must have been aged for a minimum of 8 years in oak barrels. Column still spirits, which must also have been matured for at least 8 years may make up between 20% and 70% of the blend. Any remaining balance may be unmatured wine spirit. Bottled at 38% ABV or more.
63
When can a South African brandy use the term Estate Brandy on the label?
When all of the grapes are grown and the spirit is distilled and matured on the same names estate.
64
What is cherry brandy known as in German-speaking countries?
Kirsch or Kirschwasser
65
Where is kirsch believed to have originated?
The Black Forest of Germany
66
Describe Kirsch
A clear and colorless fruit spirit. Generally unaged. Refined taste with subtle flavors of cherry and a slight bitter-almond aftertaste.
67
Is Kirsch aged?
Kirsch is generally unaged, but may be aged for short time in inert vessels.
68
What is Jahrgangskirsch?
A vintage bottling of Kirsch produced only during exceptional years.
69
What is Kirsch made from?
Cherries - may be either just the fruit or the fruit and the pits.
70
How is Kirsch generally served?
Neat as an aperitif or a digestif. Also used in some recipes (Swiss Fondue, Black Forest Cake).
71
What is the difference in flavor of Kirsch using just the fruit or complete (with pit as well)
Just the fruit - more cherry flavor Complete - bitter-almond, marzipan like flavor along with the cherry.
72
What percentage of US brandy is produced in California?
More than 90%
73
Where and when was California brandy first produced?
The 1860s, Almaden Vineyards.
74
How long must California brandy be aged?
2 years in oak containers. Some age for 4-8 years of longer.
75
What grapes are used for the production of California brandy?
Types are not regulated, mostly Thompson Seedless ad Ugni Blanc, with some Colombard and Folle Blanche.
76
Where are most of the grapes for California brandy grown?
The San Joaquin Valley, from Lodi to Fresno.
77
How is California brandy usually distilled?
Continuous column still. Some artisanal producers use pot still.
78
What is Metaxa?
A Greek brandy, made in small pot still, aged in Limousin for 3-30 years, and infused with rose petals and herbs. Sweet - could technically be a liqueur.
79
What is El Presidente?
Mexican brandy - uses mainly Thompson Seedless and Perlette.
80
What is Singani?
A Bolivian brandy.
81
What is required for the Singani DO?
Distilled from grape wine or pomace from vitis vinifera grapes. Grown in a defined region over 5250 ft altitude. Must be prepared, distilled and bottled in region.
82
What are the aging requirements for Singani?
There are no requirements.
83
What may be included in Sinangi Second Selection?
Grape pomace.
84
Besides being produced from a designated growing region, what are the other requirements for Singani?
It must be grown at altitudes over 1600 meters or 5250 feet, and must be prepared, distilled, and bottled within the defined growing region.
85
When was Singani first legally defined by the Bolivian government?
1992
86
When was Singani recognized by the US TTB as a distinctive product of Bolivia?
January, 2023.
87
What grapes are used for "High Altitude Singani"?
Muscat of Alexandria
88
How is Singani typically aged?
A short period of time in stainless steel (typically 6 months)
89
What are the three labels of maturation for Australian brandy?
Matured - Minimum 2 years in wood Old - Minimum 5 years in wood Very Old - Minimum 10 years in wood.
90
What is Aguardente?
A Portuguese fine, aged brandy.
91
What is Aguardente de Vinho Louinha?
A Portuguese brandy produced in the Oeste region of Portugal, 40 miles N/NW of Lisbon.
92
How is Aguardente de Vinho Lourinha distilled?
A wine (no more than 10% ABV) is distilled in either a continuous still to a max 78% ABV or a pot still to a max 72% ABV.
93
How is Aguardente de Vinho Lourinha aged?
Must be aged in oak barrels for at least 24 months before blending and bottling.
94
What does Aguardente mean in Portuguese?
Fire-water
95
What is Applejack?
A US brandy distilled from apples.
96
What is another name for apple brandy in the US?
Applejack
97
What is freeze distillation?
The historic method of Applejack production. Apple cider was left outside to freeze, and chunks of ice were chipped off to concentrate the alcohol content.
98
Where did the name applejack come from?
Apples - the fruit used and Jacking - the term for freeze distillation.
99
What was the US's first distillery to receive a permit?
Laird's Distillery of Scobeyville, New Jersey, producers of Applejack.
100
When was Laird's first made?
Around 1700, commercialized by 1851.
101
What made Laird's Apple Jack Brandy premium?
It used free run juice instead of the pomace (cheese) left over from cider making.
102
What is blended Applejack?
A mixture of at least 20% apple brandy that has been stored in oak for at least 2 years, combined with no more than 80% neutral spirits.
103
What is a classic cocktail made with Applejack?
Jack Rose, a blend of applejack, lemon juice and grenadine.
104
What is Jersey Lightning?
A nickname for Applejack, due to its deep roots in New Jersey and the potency of the unaged spirit.
105
What is Chacha?
An eau-de-vie from Georgia, often made from leftover detritus of winemaking.
106
Besides pomace, what can Chacha be made from?
Buckthorn or mulberry.
107
What is the ABV of Chacha?
45-65%.
108
How is Chacha aged?
Either in Qvevri or old barrels.
109
What is the most common mix of fruit in Obstler?
Apples and Pears.
110
What is Obstler (or Obstbrand)?
Fruit spirits made from a mixture of fruit.
111
Where is Obstler produced?
Southern Germany, Austria, and the German speaking parts of Italy and Switzerland.
112
What is Pommeau?
A French spirit made by mixing 2 parts unfermented apple juice with one part one-year-old calvados. It is then aged for at least 14 months. technically a mistelle.
113
What is Fine brandy?
A high quality French brandy produced outside of Cognac or Armagnac.
114
What are some Fine Brandies?
Fine de Bordeaux Fine de Bourgogne Fine de la Marne
115
What is Fine de la Marne?
Brandy produced from grapes grown in the Champagne wine region.
116
What is Alter Weinbrand?
A German brandy aged a minimum of 6 months in wood.
117
What is Weinbrand Uralt?
A German brandy aged for a minimum of twelve months in wood.
118
What is used to make German brandy?
Imported wine, mostly from Spain.
119
What is Asbach Uralt?
One of the most widely distributed German brandies.
120
What pears are used to make pear brandy?
William Bo-Chretien (Bartlett in US)
121
Describe pear brandy.
Generally unaged, colorless, and produced to preserve the distinctive aroma of ripe pear.
122
Where is apricot brandy made?
Mostly Hungary and Austria.
123
What is Barack Palinka?
Apricot brandy made in Hungary.
124
What type of fruit may be used for Palinka in Hungary?
Any fruit.
125
What countries besides Austria and Hungary have products similar to Palinka?
Romania (Pălincă) Czech Republic (Palenka)
126
How many different versions of Palinka are there in Hungary?
13.
127
Besides Hungary, what other country is allowed to used the term Palinka?
Austria, in only Niederosterreich, Burgenland, Styria, and Vienna.
128
What fruits may be used in Austrian Palinka?
Only Apricots.
129
What is Marillenschnaps?
An Austrian apricot brandy made in the Wachau region. Has a strong, clean apricot aroma.
130
What are other names for Marillenschnaps?
Marillenbrand Marillen Apricot eau-de-vie.
131
What does Marillen mean?
It is the Austrian term for apricots (in other German speaking countries it is aprikosen)
132
What is Osttiroler Pregler?
An apple-and-pear spirit produced in East Tyrol, Austria.
133
Is Osttiroler Pregler sweet or dry?
Must be dry.
134
What is slivovitz?
Plum brandies produced in Central Europe.
135
How is slivovitz produced?
From crushed black plums fermented with their skins, seeds and pulp. One or several distillations, aged or unaged.
136
What is Pflümli (or plum eau-de-vie)?
Plum brandy made in Switzerland and the US.
137
What is Framboise?
A French eaux-de-vie made from Raspberries.
138
What is Fraise?
A French eaux-de-vie made from strawberries.
139
What are clear spirits made from a mixture of fruit made in Austria, Switzerland, and southern Germany called?
Schnapps
140
What is himbeergeist?
A raspberry infused spirit produced mainly in Germany and Austria.
141
What is Schwarzwalder Himbeergeist?
A clear spirit created by macerating fresh raspberries in neutral spirits for several weeks before diluting and distilling the mixture. Has GI status.
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