Sherry is a famous type of brandy
Sherry brandy is one of the main types that differs from Cognac and Armagnac by having a very characteristic production process. This wine distillate is made in the Geographical Indication of Jerez, which indicates that we are facing a drink of extraordinary quality. The wines used to make this type of brandy are made from the type of grape airén. This is because it must undergo a minimum of three years of aging in oak barrels that must have previously contained Sherry wines. This part of the process is essential so that the distillate has the characteristic flavor, aromas and tannins that everyone associates with brandy from Jerez. These are very intense, and have nuances of nuts and spices.Types of brandy: Cognac
Cognac is a type of brandy that must be made from wine distillate made mostly from grapes of the variety Ugni Blanc —although it is sometimes mixed with other varieties of white grapes— and must be aged for at least two years in oak barrels.
Another characteristic that makes Cognac one of the most characteristic types of brandy is the addition of caramel, sugar and oak extract, which is usually used to correct the color, appearance and, of course, to give it greater presence to the aromas, which according to experts can be vanilla, citrus, peach, caramel and even tobacco. And, of course, for a brandy to be considered Cognac, the entire process must be carried out in the geographical area of Charentes, a French department located in Bordeaux. Therefore, this type of distillate is characterized by a more distinctive process and with more additives than, for example, Sherry brandy.
Armagnac, another type of brandy
When we talk about brandy, one of the most recognizable types is armagnac, a distillate of wines made from the fermentation of certain varieties of grapes, such as Ugni-blanc, the Folle Blanche, the Bacchus and, of course, the Colombard. The distillation of Armagnac is always carried out in winter and has, as a deadline, March 31 of each year. This distillation process of this type of brandy is carried out using special copper stills (the still Armagnacais) at lower temperatures than Cognac, which gives it more fruity aromas and floral notes. After distillation, thethe resulting drink is left to rest in oak barrels, which are stored in cellars with very controlled aging factors, taking into account temperature, time and humidity. The barrels can be purchased depending on the level of toasting of the wood, which, depending on whether it is high, medium or low, the final color of this drink will be lighter or darker. Thanks to this, Armagnac also acquires very characteristic wood tannins and a slow evolution of the aromas of the wood thanks to the slow oxidation of the Armagnac in contact with the air that filters through the wood pores. As a curiosity, we will say that this distillate can be sold with different levels of aging, obtaining unaged, young or aged drinks.How to choose the ideal brandy for each occasion?
Types of brandy are so varied and diverse that choosing the right one for you may not be an easy task. Each type of brandy has unique characteristics that make it ideal to taste at different times and pair with different types of foods. For example, Sherry, with its nutty and spicy notes, is perfect to accompany desserts such as dark chocolates or nut cakes, in addition to being an excellent option to enjoy only after meals and dinners. For its part, the Cognac, which presents a smooth and complex flavor to the time, it adapts very well to making sophisticated cocktails, such as the Bombay or the Alpine Glow, or to be enjoyed alone with ice in a glass. balloon, which is the best way to discover its flavor and aromas. It provides a more refined experience thanks to its touches of vanilla, caramel and wood provided by the oak barrels.
Armagnac has a rustic character and more floral and fruity notes. It is a more daring and less conventional option than Sherry or Cognac. It can be ideal for those people looking to enjoy a different and authentic experience, with rustic and aged flavors. This type of brandy is perfect to pair with foie gras, with strong cheeses and with smoked dishes, since they provide an exquisite contrast that allows these types of flavors to stand out.