Discovering the Essence: What Is Brandy?
Brandy, in its simplest form, is distilled wine. The name itself comes from the Dutch word brandewijn, meaning "burnt wine," a nod to the heating process used in distillation. While most brandy is made from fermented grapes, other fruits—such as apples, pears, cherries, and plums—also serve as a base, producing variations like apple-based Calvados from France or the cherry-infused Kirsch of Germany. Regardless of the fruit, brandy undergoes a careful distillation process to concentrate both alcohol and flavor before aging in wooden casks, usually oak, which adds layers of complexity, from caramel and vanilla to deep spice and nuttiness. The Origins of Brandy Brandy's history is deeply intertwined with the evolution of distillation itself. The technique likely dates back to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, where alchemists experimented with extracting essential oils.
Key Highlights
-
Brandy means "burnt wine" and is a drink made by distilling fermented fruit.
-
Most brandy is made from grapes, but there are others like Calvados, which comes from apples, and Kirsch, which is made from cherries.
-
To make brandy, you start by fermenting fruit mash. Then, you distill it and age it in wooden casks.
-
The taste of brandy depends a lot on the fruit used, the way it's distilled, and how it is aged.
