Brandy de Jerez is a traditional Spanish spirit made from wine distillates aged in special oak sherry casks. It has an alcohol content between 36-45% ABV and is produced in the Jerez Triangle region of Andalusia.
How it is made
Brandy de Jerez is made from wine distillates that are aged for at least 6 months in special oak casks previously used for sherry. Some producers may sweeten their brandy with sherry. The main grape varieties used are Airen and Palomino.
Types and styles
Brandy de Jerez is classified by aging time: Solera (minimum 6 months), Solera Reserva (minimum 3 years), and Solera Gran Reserva (minimum 10 years). About 90-92% is produced in the Jerez Triangle, with the remaining 8-10% being sherry-style brandy that follows similar production methods.
History
Produced for several centuries in southern Spain, Brandy de Jerez has been officially recognized as a traditional Spanish alcoholic beverage. The aging process is legally required to take place in the Jerez Triangle, located in the province of Cadiz between the cities of Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlucar de Barrameda, and El Puerto de Santa Maria.
Adapted from the Russian Wikipedia article Хересный бренди, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.