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Brandy is an alcoholic beverage of between 36 and 45° alcohol content, which is made from the distillation of wine, and its subsequent aging in oak casks. Although brandy is produced in almost all wine-producing countries in the world, brandy de Jerez is perhaps the most notable, being the Jerez area in Spain one of the most suitable territories for its production.
How is brandy made?
The production process is based on the distillation of wine, which is the technique used to separate the volatile substances and extract the alcoholic content, through evaporation by heat and subsequent condensation, to obtain brandy. The higher the alcohol content, the lower the amount of volatile substances in the liquid.
It is then aged in oak barrels, which dilute the burnt flavor that remains after distillation and give it its specific characteristics in terms of flavor, color and aroma.
In this way, aging has important effects on the liquid. Contact with the wood causes the liquid to extract the flavor, color and aroma components of the wood.
In turn, the resting time causes oxidation of the components originally present in the liquid and of the material extracted from the wood and, in turn, the reaction between the organic substances in the liquid leads to the formation of more or new congeners.
What characterizes brandy from Jerez?
The characteristics of each brandy are explained by the particularities of each production process, as well as the climatic conditions of each appellation.
In the distillation process, liquids of different alcoholic content can be obtained, which can result in low alcoholic content brandies, less than 70% alcohol by volume, with a large amount of volatile substances, called holandas. It is also possible to obtain medium alcoholic strength spirits or distillates of high alcoholic volume, with a higher or lower content of volatile substances, in each case.
Aging in the Marco de Jerez area is carried out using the traditional system of criaderas and soleras, which consists of organizing the barrels in scales according to the aging time of each one.
The use of the casks in brandy from Jerez
A key element that explains the peculiarities of brandy de Jerez is the use of casks which, before being used for aging, have already contained for a considerable time other traditional sherry wines, which can contribute aromas and nuances during aging.
The type of wine used previously, will be the one that will give the defining characteristics to each bottle. In addition, the material used for these barrels is American oak, which is highly porous.
VinoLover
Claudio Comella
