Of course, Spanish cognac is a phrase that should not exist, since the cognac drink is a brandy from the French province of the same name and it, by definition, cannot be produced in Italy. So this alcohol should be called "brandy."
Spanish cognac is made exclusively in the Jerez region, and aged in barrels from the same strong white wine.
Production process
Brandy in Spain is produced in the same way as in France. For its manufacture, grapes Palomino and Airen are taken here. In this region, distillation is carried out in two ways:
- Distill the wine through a continuous cycle column (distillate).
- Use copper alambiki, which melt using stone oak (olands).
In the first version, the drink is mediocre, it does not have a bright bouquet. Its strength is up to 95%. If the Spanish cognac is made in the second way, you get a drink with an incredible aroma and strength of 40-70 degrees.
Two times the distillate in Spain is almost never distilled. Masters of this country believe that each subsequent procedure “steals” the aroma. And this is one of the main distinguishing features of Spanish brandy.
After distillation, the drink is considered semi-finished, and then it is sent for aging according to the solera system. This means that young alcohol is added to aged alcohol at some point.
Sherry Brandy Requirements
This name belongs to the category of controlled by origin, and therefore, Spanish cognac, the photo of which is in the article, must meet certain requirements:
- Brandy is made in the Jerez region.
- Excerpt takes place in American oak barrels, which previously aged sherry.
- To soak the drink using a system of solera and cryadera.
The taste qualities of a strong drink for the most part depend not so much on the technology of production or aging as on the barrel and the type of wine previously contained in it.
While the Spanish cognac is aging, its strength is declining. Typically, a drink after aging has 36-45% alcohol content. If the output is higher, the drink is diluted with water.
History of Spanish Brandy
This strong alcohol can be made exclusively in the "Sherry Triangle", which is located in Andalusia. A very long time ago this area was inhabited by Moors who do not drink wine because of a religious ban.
But the idea to distill fermented juice belonged to them. They used distillates exclusively for the benefit of medicine. But there is still no exact answer to the question of who thought of withstanding grape spirit.
But there is confirmed evidence that already in 1580 brandy was produced so zealously that the government decided to impose an additional tax on it.
In the XVIII-XIX centuries, the production of Spanish strong alcohol was commercial in nature. He went for export to Western and Northern Europe. The largest buyer was the Netherlands, and already representatives of this country distributed Spanish cognac around the world. Hence the second name of the brandy - holandas.
Types of Spanish brandy
The classification of brandy is based on the exposure and content of volatile substances (the saturation of the aroma depends on their concentration):
- Solera can withstand at least six months, and the concentration of volatile substances is 2 g / l. Most often, such a drink contains 50% distillate and 50% olands.
- Soler reserve called brandy, which is aged for at least three years. Volatiles - 2.5 g / l. In this drink, only 25% of the distillate, the rest is olands.
- The grand reserve is aged from eight to ten years. Volatiles - 3 g / l.
Judging by the reviews of Spanish cognac, it is very soft and incredibly fragrant, but much cheaper than French drinks. That is why the "sherry brandy" has more and more fans every year.
Top Brandy Brands
The first place is occupied by the Spanish cognac Torres. This is a Catalan brand that has a rich centuries-old history. The company was founded in 1870, but the production of strong alcohol was opened here only in 1928. This manufacturer in the assortment has not only upscale brandy, but also a wide range of wines. The products of this brand have many international awards.
The next brand is "Collected." This brand is one of the oldest. Here brandy has been produced since 1896. The main grape variety for production is Airen. This drink has a balanced bouquet, the main notes of which will be citrus oils, vanilla, dark chocolate and figs.
Another worthy competitor to Torres is Gonzales Byass. This brand has been awarded the title of “Spanish Manufacturer of the Year” several times.
Cardinal Mendoza is a brandy with a century of history. Here, strong drinks have been produced since 1887.
Sanchez Romate is the favorite brandy of the Spanish royal family and the entire nobility. This drink is preferred even in the Vatican.
The most famous brandy from Spain
Spanish brandy Torres is in the top 20 of the best brandies in the world. The Torres family is still faithful to the centuries-old traditions of production. Drinks of this brand will surprise you with their incredible aroma and rich taste. Alcohol admirers of this brand are in every country of the world. Below are the main types of this brand.
Five year old Torres
The composition of the blend of this drink includes three grape varieties: Parelyada, Shcharello and Macabeo.
This brandy has a light, fresh taste with hints of silk and vanilla, walnuts and fruits are heard in the background. Its strength is 38%.
In order for the aroma and taste to fully open, it is better to use it at room temperature. According to reviews, it goes well with coffee and meat dishes. Also, this drink is part of the cocktails.
Ten year old Torres
This drink has a golden topaz color. It has a soft, pleasant aroma that cannot be forgotten. It differs from the five-year-old by its mature taste, in which oak notes, prunes and spices are clearly audible. It is this taste that appears after aging at 10 years. Spanish brandy "Torres" ten-year-old has a fortress of 38-40%.
Of course, brandy can be served at any time of the day, but best of all, it manifests itself as a digestif. That is, it is worth drinking a drink after a hearty dinner. The temperature of alcohol should be at room temperature.
Fifteen year old Torres
This brandy is made only from berries collected in their own vineyards. For aging, exclusively American oak is used. Such a container fills its taste with special notes. Consumers say that the drink has a beautiful color of dark topaz and a flavor full of spices. A long aftertaste leaves no one indifferent. Brandy strength is 40%.
An interesting fact: the fifteen-year-old Torres was created for cocktails. But you can serve it as a digestif. The feed temperature is 18-23 degrees.
Twenty Year Old Torres
For the manufacture of this drink uses a special grape - Parelyada. These berries, with the exception of Catalonia, practically do not grow anywhere. The recipe for a twenty-year-old brandy is kept secret. But there are several well-known facts:
- Excerpt takes place in a container of Limousin oak.
- The first six months, aging takes place in fresh barrels that saturate the drink with a unique aroma.
- This brandy undergoes double distillation.
According to reviews, the drink is distinguished by a noble dark amber color, a deep, warm aroma of dried fruit. It has a velvety, long finish with fruity notes and hints of spice.
This line of Spanish cognacs really deserves attention. It is with her that she should begin her acquaintance with the strong alcohol of Spain.