BRANDY and COGNAC

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Brandy has a long and ancient history. Concentrated spirits of wine were first used in ancient Greece and Rome, both as an antiseptic and as a primitive anesthetic. As early as the 13th century, a kind of brandy was being made from wine in both Spain and Italy. The French did not begin making this spirit until more than 100 years later.

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. Most brandies are bottled at eighty proof, meaning forty-percent alcohol content. Brandy has a unique rating system intended to make identification of its many different types and aging categories.

The letters C, E, F, O, P, S, and V are used to describe the different varieties. C means cognac, E means extra, F means fine, O means old, P means pale, S means special, and V means very special. Combinations of these letters are used to distinguish different types of brandy. For example, VSOP is “very special old pale” which is aged for five years in a wood cask and often called five star brandies. There is also other vocabulary that brandy drinkers are familiar with. Napoleon means the brandy is at least four years old, usually much older. Vintage means that the liquor must be kept inside a wooden cask under the time it is bottled, and Hors D’age means the exact age of the brandy is unknown. Brandy is best served at room temperature.

Long before the sixteenth century wine was enjoying its status has one of the most popular drinks in Europe. 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.

Cognac, one of the more famous and popular brandies, originated in the seventeenth century when the Cognacais family began to double distill their wines. This drink quickly became one of the most essential and profitable exports in France. It was first exported to Holland, the birthplace of the liquor, and was soon expended to England, the Far East, and the New World. In France cognac became the drink of choice for the aristocracy. The King use to partake of its fruity and potent taste with strict regularity. Cognac, both then and to this present day, is produced in the Cognac region of France. Cognac it made from white wine, which is produced from the vineyards of this area.

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 by 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. Brandy is true one drink that can be specialized for each and every fan. Brandy truly is a personal drink.

*  Courvoisier

*  Hennesy

*  Remy Martel

*  Napoleon

BRANDY LINKS:

Brunello - http://www.brunello.it/
An Italian grappa producer. The history of the company and its product range. Information about the production methods accompanied with poetric suggestions how to best enjoy grappa. Also available in Italian.

Château du Breuil - http://store.chateau-breuil.fr/
Classified as a historic monument. Shop online for AOC Calvados, Pommeau, and Eaux de Vie.

Somerset Cider Brandy - http://www.ciderbrandy.co.uk/
An English cider and cider-brandy producer. The history of the company, production methods and information of its products. Includes pictures of the farm and retailer information.

La Cognathèque: Cognac and Brandy Shop - http://www.cognatheque.com/
Company based in France selling over 270 different cognacs. Product range with brief descriptions and form-based advice for choosing cognac.

World of Brandy - http://www.cognacnet.com/brandy/default.htm
Includes brief descriptions of brandies and producers around the world.

California Raisin Brandy - http://www.raisinbrandy.com
California, USA, based retailer of rare brandies. Possibility to order beverages online.

Charles Neal Selections - http://www.charlesnealselections.com/
In-depth information about France's great brandies: Armagnac; Cognac; and Calvados. Also information about several wines from Southwestern France.

La Vieille Prune - http://www.lavieilleprune.com/
Producing plum brandy and armagnac in Souillac, southern France. Product list and history of the company.

Villa Zarri - http://www.villazarri.com/indexuk.htm
History of the distiller, introduction of production and product range. Also in Italian.

Tonnellerie de la Grande Champagne - http://www.tonneau.com/anglais.html
Cask and barrel maker. Interesting information about the manufacture of Cognac and wine barrels.

Imoya Brandy - http://www.imoyabrandy.com/
The history of the brand, tasting advice and recipes. News and events listings.

Distillerie Inga & Co. s.r.l. - http://www.inga.it/
An Italian distillery. Description of grappa and suggestion how to drink it. Section with the history of the company and a pictorial tour.

KWV International - http://www.kwv-international.com/product.html
South African producer of brandies and wines. Product profiles and news of recent releases.

German Standards: The Brandy - http://www.deutschestandards.de/ds/Weinbrand_e.htm
A brief history of the word 'brandy' and Asbach Uralt, a famous German brandy.

VT DLC: Product Descriptions -- Brandy - http://www.state.vt.us/dlc/descriptions/brandy.html
Vermont Department of Liquor Control page includes definitions and descriptions of brandies.

Bay Country Liquors - http://www.web2000.com/baycountryliquors/brandy.htm
Descriptions of Cognac and brandies, and more detailed information about several brands.

Grappa Ceschia S.n.c. - http://www.netfiera.com/apiud/ceschia/
An Italian grappa producer with a brief history of the company and descriptions of its products. Also available in Italian.

Plantiac - http://www.plantiac.com/
Dutch brandy, information about the drink and distiller, FAQ, cocktail recipes and an image gallery.

While we do not endorse any practice which may in time bring with it health issues or be contrary to any rule of law, geographical code of practice or religious beliefs, moderate intake of alcohol in diluted form is thought by many to be beneficial to certain ailments, such as high blood pressure. Solar Cola is a non-alcoholic beverage which is suitable as a mixer and in our opinion gives a richer taste bringing with it all the qualities our cola is known for to enhance your drinking pleasure.

This website is Copyright © 1999 & 2007  NJK.   The bird logo and name Solar Navigator and Solar Cola are trademarks. All rights reserved.  All other trademarks are hereby acknowledged.       Max Energy Limited is an educational charity.

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