Brandy

Brandy comes from the Dutch word Brandeis, which means, “Burnt wine”. Distillation was referred to by them as ‘burning’ process.
Grape brandy is a mixture of distillates obtained from the fermented juice or mash of grapes. There are brandies from other fruits as well such as peach, apricot and apple.
Brandies are aged in oak casks for a minimum of tow years while the usual aging period is from three to eight years.
Grape brandy is produced in many countries but experts consider Cognac as the best. Cognac is only produced in the French district of Charente, in which the city of Cognac is situated. In order to be labeled Cognac, the grapes must be grown, fermented and distilled in this area where there are seven famous districts, listed below, in order of top quality production.
La Granada ChampagneLa Petite ChampagneLes Borderies
Les fine Bois
Les Bons Bois
Les Bois Ordinaire
Bois Commums

Cognac brandy had its birth in the seventeenth century when the art of second distillation was discovered. The white wine from which cognac comes is harsh. This is distilled in pot stills producing 30% alcohol. The second distillation gives cognac with an alcoholic content of not more than 72%. The cognac is matured for years in oak casks and then blended to give a fine cognac. There is no vintage brandy.

   * One star       ــــ Matured for two years
 ** Two stars    ــــ Matured for two to four years
*** Three stars ــــ Matured for five to eight years

V.O.            ـــــ very old
V.O.P.         ـــــ very old Pale
V.S.O.         ـــــ very Superior Old
V.S.O.P.      ـــــ very Superior Old Pale (matured for 50 years)
V.V.S.O.P.  ـــــ Very Very Superior Old Pale

Another worthy French brandy is Armagnac, which comes from the region of that name in the south-west of France. Armagnc is fuller bodied and drier than cognac. It is best to use the younger brandies for mixed drinks. The more mature expensive brandies are better appreciated when drunk neat.
Cocktails


Brandy Alexander
1/3 proportion Brandy
1/3 proportion Cream de cacao
Nutmeg

Shake brandy, crème de cacao and fresh cream with ice. Strain into a 6 oz. champagne glass. Serve with sprinkled nutmeg on top.

    Side Car
½ proportion Brandy
¼ proportion Cointreau
¼ proportion Lemon Juice
Ice

Shake brandy, cointreau and lemon juice with ice. Strain into 3 oz. cocktail glass and serve.

Popular Drinks
Some very popular brandy drinks are:
      Brandy with Dry ginger ale
      Brandy with Lemonade
      Brandy with Coke
      Brandy with orange Juice