Some of the wineries that produce Japanese wine also craft not only wine, but brandy as well.
For that reason, among those who have started to get into Japanese wine, there may be people thinking, "I want to try brandy, too."
Here, for alcohol beginners, we will introduce the basics of brandy, as well as recommended brandies crafted by Japanese wineries.
What Is Brandy?
What kind of alcoholic beverage is brandy in the first place?
Below is a summary of the fundamental knowledge about brandy.
- History of Brandy
- Types of Brandy
- Production Method of Brandy
Let us explain each of them.
A Brief History of Brandy
Brandy began to be produced in earnest around the 16th to 17th centuries.
It is said to have been born as a way to handle a massive surplus of wine in the Cognac region of France. (There are various theories about the history of brandy, but according to one account, records show that an alchemist who was also a physician was already using it as a restorative around the 13th century
)
Incidentally, the origins of Cognac began when Dutch wine traders at the time distilled low-alcohol wine that was not suited for long-term storage to increase its alcohol content.
It is said that around the 17th century, people discovered that double distillation and oak cask aging improved the taste, leading to commercial success.
By the way, the name "brandy" reportedly originates from what was called "brûlot-vin (burnt wine)" in France at the time.
This term translates to "brandewijn" in Dutch, but when the name made its way to England, it came to be called "brandy-wine," and eventually "wine" was dropped from the name, giving rise to "brandy."
Types of Brandy
While wine is generally defined as an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting grape juice, many varieties of brandy exist. (Countries with lenient wine laws allow products to be called wine even if they are not made from grapes *In Japan, there are mandarin orange wine, strawberry wine, pineapple wine, etc.)
Brandy is a general term for spirits distilled from fermented fruit beverages (mainly wine), and it is broadly categorized into "grape brandy" if it is made from standard grape wine, "fruit brandy" if made from fermented beverages derived from other fruits, and "pomace brandy" if made using wine pomace.
Among the traditional brandies...
- Cognac, Armagnac... Grape brandy
- Calvados (apple), Kirsch (cherry)... Fruit brandy
- Grappa, Marc... Pomace brandy
These are generally not called by names ending in "-brandy."
How Brandy Is Made
Here, we will briefly explain the production process of brandy made from grape wine.
First, because high acidity is valued more than sugar content in the grapes used as raw materials for brandy, the base wine that is distilled seems to have a somewhat different flavor profile from what we usually drink. (Acidity is also said to be the lifeblood of base wine for Champagne.)
In the case of Cognac, the main grape variety used is Ugni Blanc, while Armagnac often utilizes grape varieties such as Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, and Colombard.
Once the base wine is ready, the next step is distillation.
The distillation method varies depending on the style: in Cognac, it is distilled twice using pot stills, whereas in Armagnac, it is either distilled twice in pot stills or once using a continuous column still.
Afterward, it is aged in lightly toasted oak casks; several years later, blenders blend it or adjust its flavor, water is added to bring the alcohol content to around 40% to 43%, and then it is filtered, bottled, and shipped to the market.
The flavor varies depending on the style of the brandy, ranging from full-bodied and robust to delicate and elegant, or vibrant and aromatic, depending on the producer.
You may not often have the chance to compare different brandies, but just like wine—or perhaps even more so—it is a deeply nuanced world, making it an addictive spirit that hooks you once you get into it.
Introducing Japanese Brandies!
When people hear "brandy," many probably picture overseas products, mainly from France.
However, since the postwar era, a large amount of brandy has been produced in Japan, with Cognac-style brandies, fruit brandies, and pomace brandies being made in especially large numbers. (It is said that brandy was first produced domestically in 1892.)
Japanese brandy is characterized by a mellow flavor and delicate mouthfeel, making it relatively easy to drink compared to French brandy.
While Suntory's offerings are famous, as a Japanese wine fan, you will surely want to try the unique bottles crafted by familiar wineries.
From here, we will introduce three recommended domestic brandies that we want Japanese wine fans to try.
L'Orient Brandy 78
Shirayuri Winery is well known for its L'Orient Wine.
The brandy produced by this prestigious winery is <L'Orient Brandy 78>.
Crafted from wine made with domestic grapes, this brandy boasts an alcohol content of 78%, just as its name suggests.
It is a rare brandy that can be enjoyed in a wide variety of ways.
Goichi Brandy VSOP
"Goichi Brandy VSOP" is a brandy produced by Hayashi Farm (Goichi Wine), a prestigious winery in Kikigahara.
Additive-free wine made from Niagara grapes grown in Kikigahara is distilled and then aged in oak casks.
It is an exquisite bottle that allows you to savor the rich depth of brandy.
Tokachi Wine 3-Brandy Tasting Set
Tokachi Wine is a famous Japanese wine produced by the Ikeda Town Grape and Wine Research Institute.
This set allows you to compare and taste three types of brandy, including aged brandies and apple brandy.
The contents of the set consist of three types—cask-strength grape brandy, apple brandy, and Morio Muscat brandy—all precious liquids that have undergone long-term aging.
Why not enjoy comparing grape brandy and fruit brandy in a style unique to Japanese wineries?
Brandy Is Fascinating, Too!
Once you fall in love with Japanese wine, you naturally become interested in Japanese brandy as well.
The world of brandy is even deeper than wine, full of intriguing aspects.
If you do not usually drink brandy very often, why not take this opportunity to explore Japanese brandy?
References
Enjoy Alcohol 100%! Takaaki Tamura
Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association | Know & Enjoy Brandy
http://www.yoshu.or.jp/enjoy/brandy/index.html