We have been writing about wine and spirits for many years, and during that time, have been privileged to sample some of the best. One beverage that we enjoy and have been pleased to write about is brandy.
Brandy is the final product when wine is distilled. The process of distillation is relatively simple. Wine is heated to the point where the alcohol separates from the water, after which the alcohol fumes are cooled to return them to a liquid. This liquid is crystal clear and very sharp, so it must be set down to age and mellow. Oak barrels that have been charred on the inside are used to age brandy, and it is the charcoal from the burned wood that aids in the mellowing and also adds the familiar brown color.
Brandy has what is probably the widest variation in price of any alcoholic beverage. There are brandies that sell for just a few dollars and there are those, most specifically the French Cognacs, that retail in the hundreds or even in the thousands of dollars.
We have found there are some brandies in the marketplace that are easy to enjoy and even easier to afford. One producer that has specialized in producing quality brandies is E & J Gallo. Gallo, who has been in the forefront of making wines since 1933, also has been making some nice brandies.
E & J VS ($12) This selection is, like all other Gallo brandies, smooth and well balanced. An outstanding feature of this brandy is the obvious flavor and aroma of cherries. While the VS is a popular mixer, it also is no slouch when enjoyed neat over ice as an after-drink.
E & J VSOP ($13) The VSOP (Very Special Old Pale) has been made mellower and more flavorful by extra aging in oak casks. This brandy has a deep, warm, golden color and the powerful aroma of dried fruits. The finish is long and seems to end in a rush of perfume. This is a smooth and well-made brandy that can stand up to ice cubes and even a twist of lemon without losing quality.
E & J XO Vintage Reserve Brandy ($15) The XO (Extra Old) has been given even more aging in oak barrels than the VSOP so it can achieve depth and smoothness, resulting in a fine sipping brandy. While the E & J XO also is a good mixer, it also can stand by itself as an after-dinner beverage.
E & J VSOP/Peach ($13) Flavored alcoholic beverages are currently trendy and available in every conceivable type, from scotch to bourbon to vodka and even sparkling wines and beer. Gallo presents its version of a flavored brandy by offering its VSOP in a peach-flavored incarnation. As a brandy, it is an excellent after-dinner beverage, but it’s better as a mixer.
Nixa resident Bennet Bodenstein is a wine columnist and manages ArticlesOnWine.com. He can be reached at frojhe@suddenlink.net.[[In-content Ad]]
