Brandy
Brandy, in its broadest definition, is a spirit made from either the fruit juice or the fruit pulp and skin of grapes. The origins of brandy can be traced back to Arab alchemists in the 7th and 8th centuries who experimented with distilling grapes and other fruits in order to make medicinal spirits. The word brandy comes from the Dutch word brandewijn, meaning “burnt wine”, which is how 16th century Dutch traders described the wine from Spain and southern France that had been “burnt,” or boiled, in order to distill it.
Within the broader category of brandy are those distillates made specifically from grapes. These are grappas and grape brandies:
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Grappa is a type of brandy made from the pressed grape pulp, skins, and stems that remain after the grapes are crushed and pressed to extract most of the juice for wine.
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Grape brandy is a type of brandy distilled from fermented grape juice and aged in wooden casks (usually oak) which colors it, mellows the palate, and adds additional aromas and flavors. Two of the best known types of grape brandy are Cognac and Armagnac, from the eponymous cities in France.
Marc
Marc is a French spirit derived from a solid, raw material: grape pomace, or the skins and seeds left from table wine production (the French version of grappa). For many centuries, no distinction was made between distillates obtained from grapes and those obtained from other kinds of fruit. Only in the early eighteenth century, did marc become a distinct product with its peculiar characteristics.
When the grape pomace arrives in the distilleries after harvest time in the fall, it is almost impossible to immediately distill the entire quantity. Some producers choose to store the pomace in deep vats that are barricaded with sand to prevent oxidization. Other producers choose to buy only one truck at a time, acquiring no more than they can distill at any given time. The producer must work very closely with the winemaker to insure efficient delivery and processing.
Three Factors that Determine the Quality of the Marc:
- The kind of still used in production: pot still (artisanal) or patent still (industrial).
- The style of the distiller.
- The quality of the grape pomace.
Winebow is proud to offer a diverse portfolio of Brandy and Marc, including that from France, Greece, Lebanon and California.
