Brandy

Brandy is a broad term for spirits from fermented fruit juice, mostly wine. After distillation the spirit is usually stored in wooden casks. The name comes from the Dutch brandewijn, burnt wine.

Brandies include cognac, armagnac, Weinbrand, Spanish brandy de Jerez, pisco and others. They differ in grape varieties, distilling method and ageing time. Their taste ranges from fruity and floral to powerful and spicy with notes of wood and dried fruit. Designations such as VS, VSOP and XO indicate minimum ageing periods.