It is a spirit, produced by distilling wine or wine yeasts. By a process of heating the liquid, it purifies the alcohol vapors in order to separate the alcohol and the water.
Which types of brandy can we find?
Wine Brandy
Obtained exclusively from distilling wine. In the case of old wine brandies, wood (normally unused wood) is important to its aging. On the first stages, whisky or Port barrels can be used.
This type of brandy is also used to produce Port Wine. In this case, it is added to interrupt the alcoholic fermentation and preserve some of the grape’s natural sweetness (“fortification”).
Brandy from Yeasts
Obtained exclusively from the yeasts and normally have an alcoholic content from 35 to 54%.
In Portugal, we do have one of the 3 demarcated regions for brandy in the world. It is called Lourinhã, being the other two Cognac and Armagnac.
How to appreciate a brandy?
Unaged Brandy: as a digestif after a meal, at a temperature around 16ºC.
Aged Brandy: as a digestif after a meal, preferable with a nice cigar, at a temperature around 18-20ºC.
Cheers!
