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Other World Brandy

Cognac and Armagnac are not the only brandies produced in France; brandies labeled Fine de Bordeaux, Fine de Bourgogne, and Fine de la Marne are made in each corresponding region, but are rarely seen today.

Spain has a longstanding tradition of distillation in Andalucia that predates Cognac (after all, the Moors invented distillation, and the chalky albariza soil of Jerez is ideal for the cultivation of grapes to be used in distillation). Brandy de Jerez is produced in the region of sherry and aged in a similar solera method. This brandy is produced in copper pot stills called alquitaras from wines based on Airén and Palomino grapes. Used American oak cases comprise the solera, which enables producers to achieve a consistent style year after year. Brandies labeled Solera will have been aged for one year on average, whereas Solera Reserva brandies age for an average three years and Solera Gran Reserva brandies age for an average ten years.

Portugal produces a style of brandy called aguardente, the spirit used to fortify port.

California brandies, made from 100% California grapes, have historically been of lesser quality, but newer entries from producers like Germain-Robin, an artisan producer in Ukiah, are generating great praise.

Pisco, a brandy produced in Chile and Peru, is not aged in wood and is experiencing resurgent popularity in the US as the base of the Pisco Sour cocktail.

In short, if viticulture is prevalent in an area, someone is likely distilling wine into brandy.