Photo by Nika Benedictova on UnsplashDistilled wines take the winemaking process one step further — rather than stopping at fermentation, the wine is heated and the alcohol vapor is captured and condensed into a much stronger spirit. The result is a category of drinks that retains the character of the grapes and regions they come from, but in a far more concentrated and complex form.
Brandy — Brandy is essentially distilled wine. Any fermented fruit juice can technically be distilled into brandy, but grape-based brandy is by far the most common. The name comes from the Dutch brandewijn, meaning “burnt wine” — a reference to the heat used in distillation. Brandy is produced all over the world and varies widely in style depending on the grape varieties used and how long it is aged.
Cognac — Cognac is brandy produced specifically from white wine grapes grown in the Cognac region of southwestern France. It is double-distilled in copper pot stills and aged in French oak barrels, which gives it the smooth, complex character it is known for. By law, only brandy produced in this region using approved grape varieties and methods may be called Cognac.
Grappa — Grappa is an Italian spirit made by distilling the grape pomace — the skins, pulp, seeds, and stems left over after the grapes have been pressed for winemaking. Originally a way of using every last bit of the harvest, Grappa has evolved into a respected artisanal spirit, ranging in style from raw and fiery to smooth and elegantly aged.