In Poland, brandies are commonly produced all over the world – liquors obtained from aging wine distillates, with the possible addition of aroma and flavor mixtures, such as grape wine, raisin infusion, figs, dried olives, almond shells or oak shavings infusion.
Currently, our brandies are made from imported wine distillates. However, two hundred years ago, they were also made from native grapes, and their producers were famous throughout Europe. Brandy can be a noble liquor or just a better or worse moonshine, depending on the quality of the ingredients and the production process. There are many interesting facts about brandy that are worth knowing. Here are a few of them:
- The word “brandy” comes from the Dutch word brandewijn, which means burnt wine.
- Brandy is produced all over the world, but the most famous brandies are from France (cognac), Italy (stock), Greece (metaxa) or Spain (brandy de Jerez).
- Brandy is aged in oak barrels, which give it aroma and color. The longer it ages, the more expensive and better it is. The oldest brandies available on the market are over 100 years old!
- Brandy has different age markings, e.g. VS (very superior), VSOP (very superior old pale), XO (extra old). They mean the minimum aging time of the youngest ingredient in the mixture. VS means aging for a minimum of two years, VSOP – for four, and XO – for ten years.
Brandy can be drunk in different ways: plain, with ice, with cola, with orange juice, with coffee or as an ingredient in cocktails.
