What Brandy Is?
As most of you already knows, brandy is a very popular alcoholic drink and you find it selling all around the world. There are many popular brandy types and most of them are made simple from distilled wine or fermented fruit juice and often aged in wooden casks. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular brandy brands, where they come from, how they are made, and their overall selling price.
10 Popular Brandy Types:
1. Hennessy Cognac
Origin: France
Production: Hennessy is one of the oldest and most famous Cognac producers. Cognac is a type of brandy named after the Cognac region in France. Hennessy uses grapes from the surrounding vineyards. The wine is distilled twice in copper stills to create a strong, clear spirit called “eau-de-vie.” This spirit is then aged in French oak barrels for years, which gives it a rich flavor and smooth texture.
Price: Hennessy offers a range of products. The entry-level Hennessy VS (Very Special) costs around $40 per bottle, while their premium bottles like Hennessy XO (Extra Old) can cost several hundred dollars.
Hennessy Types: Hennessy VS, Hennessy VSOP, Hennessy XO, Hennessy Paradis etc…
2. Rémy Martin Cognac
Origin: France
Production: Rémy Martin is another prestigious Cognac and one of the most popular brandy brands in the world. Similar to Hennessy, Rémy Martin uses grapes from the Cognac region. The double distillation process in copper stills and aging in oak barrels is essential and very important. Rémy Martin is known for its Fine Champagne Cognac, which means the grapes come from the top two Cognac areas: Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne.
Price: Rémy Martin VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) is priced around $50, while Rémy Martin Louis XIII, a very luxurious option, can cost several thousand dollars.
Rémy Martin Types: Remy Martin XO, Remy Martin VSOP, Remy Martin Extra, Remy Martin Tercet etc…
3. Martell Cognac
Origin: France
Production: Martell, established in 1715, is one of the oldest Cognac houses. They also use grapes from the Cognac region and follow the traditional double distillation method. Martell ages its brandy in Troncais oak barrels, which are known to give a lighter taste compared to the Limousin oak used by other producers.
Price: Martell VS costs around $35, while their higher-end Martell Cordon Bleu can go up to $150 or more.
Martell Types: Martell XO, VS, Cordon Bleu etc…
4. Courvoisier Cognac
Origin: France
Production: Courvoisier is another cognac of the popular brandy brands and with a history going back to the early 19th century. They use grapes from four top Cognac areas: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, and Fins Bois. The brandy undergoes double distillation and is aged in French oak barrels.
Price: Courvoisier VS is available for about $30, while Courvoisier XO can reach up to $200 or more.
Courvoisier Types: Courvoisier xo, Courvoisier VS, Courvoisier VSOP, Courvoisier Initiale extra.
5. E&J Gallo Brandy
Origin: So far, in the most popular brandy brands we had cognacs in the top 4. Now among the list we have more popular brandy brands, and one of them is the E&J brandy which it’s origin is in United States.
Production: E&J Gallo, also known simply as E&J, is a popular American brandy. Unlike Cognac, which is specific to France, E&J is made in California. They use California grapes and a combination of column and pot stills for distillation. The brandy is then aged in oak barrels.
Price: E&J VS is very affordable, usually around $15 to $20 per bottle. Their higher-end products like E&J XO are priced around $30.
6. Paul Masson Brandy
Origin: United States
Production: Paul Masson is another well-known American brandy, also made in California. Same as E&J the brandy is distilled from California grapes and aged in oak barrels. They focus on creating smooth, versatile brandy that can be enjoyed neat or in cocktails.
Price: Paul Masson VS is similarly priced to E&J, around $15 to $20. Their more premium options, like Paul Masson Grande Amber, can cost up to $30.
7. Torres Brandy
Origin: Spain
Production: Torres is another one of the popular brandy brands produced in Spain. This Spanish brandy is produced in the Penedès region. They use grapes from their own vineyards and distill the wine in copper stills. The brandy is aged in oak barrels using the solera system, a method where younger brandy is mixed with older ones to maintain consistency and quality.
Price: Torres 10 Gran Reserva is a popular choice, costing around $25. Their higher-end Torres 20 can cost about $50 or more.
8. Fundador Brandy
Origin: Spain
Production: Fundador is another renowned Spanish brandy, with a history dating back to 1874. The brandy is made from Airén and Palomino grapes, distilled in copper stills, and aged in Sherry casks using the solera method. This aging process gives Fundador a unique, rich flavor.
Price: Fundador Solera costs around $20 to $25, while Fundador Supremo, a more premium offering, can cost up to $50.
9. St-Rémy Brandy
Origin: France
Production: St-Rémy is a popular French brandy, but it is not a Cognac since it is produced outside the Cognac region. They use grapes from various French vineyards, distilled in copper stills, and aged in oak barrels. St-Rémy is known for its smooth, versatile flavor.
Price: St-Rémy VSOP is priced around $20, while their higher-end St-Rémy XO can cost up to $35 or more.
10. Metaxa
Origin: Greece
Production: Metaxa is a unique Greek brandy made from a blend of brandy, Muscat wine, and a secret mix of botanicals. The brandy is distilled from Savatiano, Sultanina, and Black Corinth grapes, aged in oak barrels, and then blended with aged Muscat wine from the Aegean islands.
Price: Metaxa 5 Stars costs around $20, while their premium Metaxa 12 Stars can cost about $40.
Now that you got to know most of the popular brandy brands, you should understand that brandy is a diverse and delightful drink with many brands offering unique flavors and experiences. Whether you prefer the luxurious Cognacs of France, the smooth brandies of the United States, or the distinctive spirits of Spain and Greece, there’s a brandy for every taste and budget. Prices can range from as low as $15 to several thousand dollars for the most exclusive bottles, making brandy a versatile choice for both casual sipping and special occasions.
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