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All brandies come from distilled wines. Brandy can come from either the distillate of grape wine, or from any fermented fruit. The word "Brandy" comes from the Dutch word brandewijn, meaning, "burnt wine." It was introduced to Northern Europe from France and Spain by Dutch traders in the 16th century. They described it as wine that had been "burnt," or
boiled in order to distill it.
Brandy, in the broad spectrum, is broken down into three basic groupings:
Grape
Brandy
Pommace
Brandy
Fruit
Brandy
And 3 quality levels:
V.S. - Very Special, also called three-star - at least two and a half years old
V.O. or Reserve V.S.O.P. - Very Superior Old Pale - 4½ - 6½ years old>
XO, Napoleon or Extra - Top of the Line Brandy - At least 6½ years old
Many varieties or types of Brandy come from different countries. Each has its own specific name:
Armagnac - grape brandy from the Pays de Gascogne in south-west France. Winebow carries two Armagnacs - both from the
Bas area where the best Armagnac is produced. Learn more about Samalens or Cerbois Bas Armagnacs.
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Cognac - grape brandy from a region in north-west France (Learn more about Cognac and
the four Cognacs we represent)
Grappa - made from grape skins, stems, seeds etc., the residue of wine-making (Italian - visit our Italian Specialty
Products section for more Grappa information)
Marc - made from the grape skins, stems, seeds etc., the residue of wine-making (French)
Applejack - apple brandy
Calvados - apple brandy from Normandy (Meslon is the Calvados we offer - learn more about
this fine product)
Metaxa - Greek grape brandy
Pisco - grape brandy from South America
Slivovitz - fruit brandy made from plums
Winebow represent these fine Brandy producers
Pitú - Brazilian Brandy
Meslon - Calvados from Normandy
Cerbois - Bas Armagnac
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