467189 Thu Dec 06 19:44:34 -0800 2007 4 36 Spirits 0 3186725 I'm a whiskey lover who would like to learn more about Brandy. Anyone know any good books websites giving the basics of Cognac, Armagnac, Calvados, etc. explaining the differences, what to look for, and suggesting bottles? Thu Dec 06 19:44:34 -0800 2007 10132 sku 1 3187415 First things first . . . Brandy is distilled wine. The wine is always made from grapes. If the brandy is produced from fruit, it's generally called something else: fruit brandy, eau-de-vie, Calvados (if made from apples and from a very specific part of the planet -- more later), Apple Jack (if it's from another part of the planet), etc. Cognac is a type of grape brandy, produced from a very specific part of France and in a very specific manner. Armagnac is another type of grape brandy, produced from a very specific part of France and in a very specific (different) manner. Calvados is another type of French brandy -- this time from apples* -- produced from a very specific part of France and in a very specific manner. Not within that specific area, even if you do everything else exactly the same? It's not Cognac (or Armagnac or Calvados). Not doing it in exactly that way, even if you're within the area? It's not . . . etc., etc., etc. The same is true for Brand de Jerez, from Spain. I couldn't get online last night, but I'll post some links to books and websites later. * or apples + some pears. Fri Dec 07 06:47:41 -0800 2007 3186725 28122 zin1953 2 3188133 Thanks Zin. What types of grapes (or wines) typically go into Cognac, Armagnac and other brandies. Must the grapes be grown in the region or does only the distillation have to take place in the region for it to be given one of the AOC names? Fri Dec 07 10:22:43 -0800 2007 3187415 10132 sku 3 3190475 Everything for Cognac, Armagnac, and Calvados must be grown, fermented, distilled, aged, and bottled within their respective regions. (This is not true of the DO for Brandy de Jerez.) The grapes used for producing Cognac have evolved over the years. In the 18th century, Colombard dominated. In the 19th, it was Folle Blanche. Today -- since the AOC -- it's been St.-Émilion. This grape is also known as Ugni Blanc elsewhere in France, and is the same variety as the widely planted Trebbiano of Italy. For Armagnac, there is also a great deal of Ugni Blanc (this being the name it goes by here, rather than "St.-Émilion as in Cognac) planted, but it is not the only variety. There is still some Folle Blanche here, and indeed you can find some "varietal" Armagnacs from this superior grape, as well as some Colombard. AND . . . there is still -- for a little while, at least, some Baco 22A. This is a French-American hybrid, and Armagnac is the only French appellation that permits a hybrid to be used. It makes great Armagnac, but the AOC was changed and Baco 22A must be replaced by 2010. That said, you can still find some Armagnac from Baco, too, and it's well worth the search, IMHO. For Brandy de Jerez, however, most of the grapes (typically Airén) are actually grown not within the Jerez region but rather in La Mancha. That said, the brandies are indeed aged in old sherry butts and using a classic solera system just like true Sherry wine. Cheers, Jason Sat Dec 08 09:34:00 -0800 2007 3188133 28122 zin1953 1 3189415 Some book ideas: "Cognac," by Nicholas Faith, published by Mitchell Beazley (2005); ISBN-10: 1840009020 http://www.amazon.com/Cognac-Mitchell-Beazley-Drink-Nicholas/dp/1840009020/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197074966&sr=1-2 "Armagnac: The Definitive Guide to France's Premier Brandy," by Charles Neal, published by Wine Appreciation Guild (1999); ISBN-10: 1891267205 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1891267205/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance "Classic Brandy," by Nicholas Faith; published by Prion (2000); ISBN-10: 185375333 http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Brandy-Drinks-Nicholas-Faith/dp/1853753335/ref=pd_sim_b_title_2 "Calvados: The World's Premier Apple Brandy," by Henrik Mattsson; published by Flavourider (2005); ISBN-10: 916315546X http://www.amazon.com/Calvados-Worlds-Premier-Apple-Brandy/dp/916315546X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197075450&sr=1-1 Fri Dec 07 17:06:36 -0800 2007 3186725 28122 zin1953