 | In 1512 a Dutch trader, searching for a way in which to transport larger quantities of wine, found that by removing the water from the wine he get more casks of wine onto his ship. He could then add the missing water back to the wine when he reached his destination. This was known as “brandewijn” which meant burnt wine in Dutch and eventually became brandy. After discovering that the resulting concentrate often tasted better than the original wine, many vintners adopted the practice of creating grape brandy.
Brandies saw their introduction into the New World in the late seventeenth century. Spanish monks, who developed a taste for the drink before they left Europe, brought with them to the New World many casks of Brandy. However, when they ran out of it they quickly found that the native grapes that grew in California were a perfect source for brandy. They also found that other fruits could be used to produce the much-loved drink. At this time several other counties were also discovering the cacophony of fruit that brandy could be derived from. Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Australia, and South Africa were all producing fruit brandy by the end of the eighteenth century.
Brandy was discovered on accident. However, this accident has led to an entirely new market. Producers quickly found that brandy could captivate a large, passionate audience. It many different types offer many different levels of sweetness, bitterness, and smoothness.
With a few exceptions, most brandies which have aged over 30 years are considered 'over-lived' and are well past their prime.
Traditionally, brandies have been enjoyed after dinner with desserts such as chocolate or apple confections. Fruit brandies can be chilled before being served and are often enjoyed in brandy cocktails.
What exactly is brandy you ask? Brandy is distilled from fruits such as grapes, apples, blackberries, and apricots just to name a few. It is distilled around the globe. Depending on the region of origin and the type of fruit used, brandy can be classified into many different categories: Cognac and Armagnac, both French brandies, Applejack, an American apple brandy, Grappa, a grape brandy, etc. Brandy is, in essence, distilled wine.
Here are our top brandy picks:
| · | Monarch California | · | Hennessy | | · | Imoya VSOP | · | Martel | | · | Kelt Petra | · | Pierre Ferand Ambre |
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