Brandy is a spirit distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice, then usually aged in oak. Grape brandies include Cognac and Armagnac (from France), made by distilling high-acid base wines from grapes like Ugni Blanc. Brandy also fortifies wines such as Port and Sherry, where it is added to stop fermentation and preserve sweetness. Aging in cask gives brandy its colour and complexity.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR COLLECTORS
Brandy's link to wine is direct: the same grapes and even the same estates often make both. The grape spirit used to fortify Port or Sherry is essentially a young brandy, shaping the final wine's strength and style.
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