What is the name for the Cognac 2-stage distillation process?
à repasse:
First stage: première chauffe (produces brouillis at 28-32% abv)
Second stage: bonne chauffe (heart at 60% abv)
Define têtes and secondes
Portion of the heads or tails redistilled with either the base wine or the brouillis of a subsequent batch
T or F? In Cognac, distillation lasts for 3-5 months
True: all distillation must be completed by March 31 of the year after harvest to ensure the wine does not age prior to distillation
What is a chai?
A well-ventilated above ground warehouse to age Cognac
Name the top-selling cognac brands
Courvoisier
Martell
Hennessy
Rémy Martin
Describe the styles of the main Cognac houses
Martell: discard lees; add secondes back into base wine for lighter style
Hennessey: adds half of seconds to base wine and half to brouillis for medium style
Remy: use lees; add tetes and seconds to brouillis for richer style
What type of oak is preferred to make Cognac barrels?
Limousin oak (from Limoges forest) because of its porosity (slow oxidation and low in harsh tannins). However, oak from Alliers or Tronçais may also be used.
T or F? The age of cognac is calculated from April 1, following the vintage.
True
Is cognac vintage/age-dated?
Single variety and single vintage/age-dated cognac rare. Most cognacs are carefully created blends by experienced master blenders.
Is Blanche, or “white cognac,” produced?
No: is not allowed by the AOC regulations
In which department of France is Armagnac produced?
Gers: southest of Bordeaux in the heart of Gascony
Name the 3 crus of Armagnac
Bas-Armagnac: west, highest quality/elegant; largest grape producer
Ténarèze: central, round and complex spirits
Haut-Armagnac: east, lightest style; most vinyards produce Côtes de Gascogne wine and Floc de Gascogne AOC fortified wine (vin de liqueur)
Describe the topsoil in Bas-Armagnac
boulbènes: sand, chalk, clay, and stones
Is Blanche, or “white armagnac,” produced?
Yes: aged for 3 months in inert containers
Name the grapes used to produce armagnac
Main varieties: Ugni Blanc (Saint-Émilion, Baco Blanc (Baco 22a), Folle Blanche, Colombard
Phantom varieties: Clairette de Gascogne (Blanc Dame), Meslier Saint-François, Plant de Graisse, Jurancon Blanc, Mauzac Blanc, Mauzac Rosé
Name the 4 styles of Pisco from Chile
Pisco Corriente (Tradicional): min 30% abv
Pisco Especial: min 35% abv
Pisco Reservado: min 40% abv
Gran Pisco: min 43% abv
T or F? Pisco from Peru must be 38-48% abv
True
Name 4 styles of Pisco from Peru
Pisco Puro
Pisco Acholado
Name the 3 styles of Brandy from South Africa
Pot Still
Blended
Vintage
Name the terms used for German brandy aged min 6 months and 1 year in wood
Alter Weinbrand: min 6 months in wood ("age")
Uralt Weinbrand: min 1 year in wood ("ancient")
What is pomace brandy from France called?
Eau-de-vie de marc
What is the minimum age of California brandy?
2 years in oak
Pisco Mosto Verde
Pisco Aromatico
(other types exist)
Name the 3 AOCs of Calvados
Calvados
Calvados Pays d'Auge
Calvados Domfrontais
Name the grapes used to produce Brandy de Jerez
95% Airén
5% Palomino
Name a pomace brandy made throughout Spain
Orujo (e.g., Orujo de Galicia PGI): unaged
Orujo envejecido: aged min 1 year in barrels up to 500 L (or 2 years in larger barrels)
Name a regional cocktail made using Orujo de Galicia
Queimada: orujo, sugar, lemon peel, cinnamon, and coffee beans set aflame in a clay pot
Name a pomace brandy from Portugal
Aguardente Bagaceira: aka destilação do bagaço or simply bagaço
PGI: AB Alentejo, AB Bairrada, AB da Região dos Vinhos Verdes
Velha: term for bagaço aged at least 2 years in oak
Name 5 requirements for Mezcal Ancestral
Agave must be cooked in pits
Milling must use a traditional method (e.g., wooden bats or stone wheel)
Fermentation must take place in a traditional vessel
Distillation must be fueled by direct fire
Bagazo (leftover agave fibers) must be used during fermentation
How many times is tequila distilled?
Minimum of 2 times
No regulations on type of still but most use a pot still
Grain bill and distillation requirements for Single Grain Scotch
Produced at a single distillery
Malted barley plus other grains
Any method of distillation
What type of Cinchona bark is used in Barolo Chinato?
