Brandy

Question 1

What is the maximum distillation proof of Brandy?

Answer 1

190 proof

Question 2

How are Cognac and Armagnac alike?

Answer 2

They both are considered to be protected Denomination of Origins, both produced from grapes and both pot distilled.

Question 3

What is Slivovitz made from?

Answer 3

Fruid brandy made from plums, traditional to Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovinia, Serbia and Republic of Macedonia and Croatia.

Question 4

What is Brandy made from?

Answer 4

Fruit or wine.

Question 5

What is the minimum bottling proof for Brandy?

Answer 5

80 proof.

Question 6

What are the 4 flavor areas for Brandy?

Answer 6

Brandy - FSSW

1. Fruit
2. Sweet Aromatics
3. Spice
4. Wood

Question 7

How does the US classify Flavored Brandy?

Answer 7

Brandy that has been:

1. Flavored with natural flavoring materials.
2. Possibly sweetened with sugar.
3. Bottled at no less than 60 proof.
4. Bolstered with wine up to 15% by volume of finished produced provided at least 12% of the wine is derived from the base that corresponds to the labeled flavor.

Question 8

Why was wine first distilled?

Answer 8

As a way to preserve it and make it easier for merchants to ship over long distances.

Question 9

How does the EU define Brandy?

Answer 9

1. Produced from wine spirit, whether or not wine distillate has been added.
2. Distilled at less than 94.8% ABV provided distillate doesn’t exceed 50% of alcoholic content of finished product.
3. Matured for at least 1 year in oak receptacles or for at least 6 months in oak casks/barrels.
4. Bottled at a minimum of 72 proof.
5. Free of any additional alcohol.
6. Free of flavor additives.
7. Colored only with added caramel.

Question 10

What are the differences between Cognac and Armangac?

Answer 10

The regions where they’re produced. Armagnac is single distilled and Cognac is double-distilled. Armagnac offers vintage qualities.

Question 11

What is the flavor of Kirschwasser?

Answer 11

Cherry

Question 12

What is the traditional name of Hungarian Brandy?

Answer 12

Palinka

Question 13

What does Fine Champagne mean on a Cognac bottle?

Answer 13

Must be a blend of Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne with a minimum of 50% Grande Champagne.

Question 14

When was the region of Cognac delimited?

Answer 14

May 1909.

Question 15

What is “Tuica?”

Answer 15

Clear Romanian Brandy made from plums, apples, pears, apricots, etc.

Question 16

What is “Immature Brandy?”

Answer 16

A US specific term for a brandy matured for less than 2 years.

Question 17

What is “Pisco?”

Answer 17

Clear grape brandy produced in South America.

Question 18

What do the following terms mean on a bottle of Cognac? VS, VSOP, XO

Answer 18

VS: Very Special
VSOP: Very Superior Old Pale
XO: Extra Old

Question 19

What is the “Solera Process?”

Answer 19

Fractional blending program.

Question 20

What are the 4 Flavor Souces for Brandy?

Answer 20

1. Fruit/Grapes
2. Fermentation
3. Distillation
4. Maturation

Question 21

What is “Slivovice?”

Answer 21

Strong 140 proof + brandy made from plums in Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, etc.

Question 22

What is “Pomace Brandy?”

Answer 22

Brandy made from fermented grape pulp, seeds and stems.

Question 23

What does “Hors d’Age” mean?

Answer 23

Napolean or XO Cognac aged for 10+ years.

Question 24

What are the departments for Cognac?

Answer 24

Charante and Charante-Maritime

Question 25

What are the 3 AOC designations used in Cognac?

Answer 25

Eau-de-vie de Cognac, Eau-de-vie de Charantes and Cognac.

Question 26

What are the 6 areas of production for Cognac?

Answer 26

Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fin Bois, Bons Bois and Bons Ordinaires.

Question 27

What are the primary grapes used in Cognac production?

Answer 27

Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche and Colombard.

Question 28

What are the 3 regions of Armagnac?

Answer 28

Le Bas Armagnac, Le Haut Armagnac and Le Tenareze.

Question 29

What are the barrel aged specifications of Armagnac?

Answer 29

Armagnac - less than 6 years; Veil Armagnac more than 6 years; Vintage Armagnac - minimum of 10 years and may be aged at barrel proof.

Question 30

How long must Cognac be aged?

Answer 30

VS - 2 years; VSOP - 4 years; XO - 10 years.

Question 31

From where is the family name of "Brandy" derived?

Answer 31

The term "brandywine" which in the original Dutch "brandewijn" meant "burnt wine."

Question 32

The German term "Weinbrand" is equivalent to what English term?

Answer 32

Brandy

Question 33

What are the two distinct types or families of Brandy flavor?

Answer 33

Grape wine based and fruit based.

Question 34

What are the general flavor presentation styles of Brandy?

Answer 34

LFF 1. Light and Gentle 2. Flavorful and Fruity. 3. Full-bodied and Robust

Question 35

What generally is the alcohol concentration of the final distillate?

Answer 35

82% ABV

Question 36

What are the 3 ways a Brandy can be matured?

Answer 36

1. No aging 2. Single barrel aging 3. Solera process

Question 37

What are the requirements of a vintage dated Brandy?

Answer 37

It must be stored in its original cask until the time it's bottled with the label showing the vintage date on.

Question 38

Where must oak casks used in Armagnac production come from?

Answer 38

Gascony or Limousin.

Question 39

What is Brandy de Jerez?

Answer 39

Brandy originally from area of Jerez, Spain although it can be made in other regions.

Question 40

What is Lourinha?

Answer 40

A Brandy made in western Portugal's Estremadura region.

Question 41

What is Pisco?

Answer 41

Brandy from South America.

Question 42

Besides following Cognac rules of production, what is South African brandies aging requirement?

Answer 42

Minimum of 3 years.

Question 43

What are the 3 grapes used in Cognac production?

Answer 43

Folle Blanche, Colombard and Ugni Blanc (Italy's Trebbiano).

Question 44

What is "brouillis?"

Answer 44

The first distillation in Cognac production.

Question 45

What is "repasse?"

Answer 45

The second distillation in Cognac production.

Question 46

What is the maximum alcohol at distillation for Cognac?

Answer 46

72 ABV

Question 47

What must distillation be complete with Cognac?

Answer 47

March 31 following the harvest.

Question 48

What types of barrels must be used in Cognac production?

Answer 48

Limousine or Troncais-style barrels.

Question 49

What is minimum bottling proof for Cognac?

Answer 49

80 proof

Question 50

How far do records go back for Armagnac production?

Answer 50

1500's

Question 51

What are the primary grapes for Armagnac production?

Answer 51

Folle Blanche, Colombard, Ugni Blanc and Baco Blanc.

Question 52

What size barrels are used in Armagnac production?

Answer 52

400 liter barrels.

Question 53

What is Blanche d'Armagnac?

Answer 53

Distilled spirit with no aging.

Question 54

What 3 countries have a history of crafting apple based brandies?

Answer 54

US, UK and France.

Question 55

What's the name of an apple brandy from the French region of Lower Normandy?

Answer 55

Calvados

Question 56

What are the 2 requirements of Applejack?

Answer 56

1. Must be matured in oak containers for no less than 2 years. 2. Must be bottled at no less than 80 proof.

Question 57

What is "Eau-de-vie?"

Answer 57

General French term for fruit brandy.

Question 58

What did brandy first begin to appear?

Answer 58

In the 12th century and became popular in the 16th century.

Question 59

Why was wine originally distilled?

Answer 59

As a way to preserve it and make it easier for merchants to ship it over long distances.

Question 60

In what century was Cognac introduced?

Answer 60

During the 17th century.

Question 61

What are the name of Brandy made in Romania and Muldova?

Answer 61

Vinars and Divin.