Brandy FAQs

What is Brandy?
Brandy is a distilled spirit made from fermented grapes.

What Does VSOP Mean?
VSOP stands for "Very Superior Old Pale," indicating that the brandy has been aged for at least four years. This is how long Solera Gold is aged.

Cognac vs. Brandy
Cognac is a type of brandy that must be made in the Cognac region of France under specific production methods.

What is Cognac?
Cognac is a variety of brandy produced in the Cognac region of France, known for its strict production standards and unique aging process.

Is Cognac Brandy?
Yes, Cognac is a specific type of brandy that comes from the Cognac region in France.

Difference Between Cognac and Brandy?
The primary distinction between brandy and Cognac is their geographic origin and production methods; while brandy can be produced anywhere, Cognac must come from a specific region in France. Given the numerous similarities between Napa Valley and Cognac, it's evident that Napa Valley has great potential to become America's equivalent of Cognac.

What is the Typical Alcohol for Brandy?
Brandy typically contains 40-50% alcohol by volume. Our brandy found that sweet spot right at 43.5%

What Kind of Brandy Cocktails can you make?
Brandy can be enjoyed in various cocktails, including classics like the Brandy Alexander and the Sidecar.

What Does Brandy Taste Like?
Brandy flavors can range from sweet to robust, often with notes of fruits, vanilla, caramel, and oak.

Brandy Alcohol Percentage
Most generic brandies contain around 40% alcohol by volume (ABV). However, craft brandies often adjust this percentage to highlight the intricate flavors they offer. For instance, our Solera Gold Brandy features an ABV of 43.5%, also known as 87 proof. 

How to Drink Brandy
Brandy can be enjoyed neat, with ice, or as part of a cocktail.

What does it mean to drink a spirit neat?

To have a spirit "neat" means to serve and consume it plain, without any mixers, ice, water, or other additives. This method allows you to experience the pure flavor, aroma, and character of the spirit exactly as it was intended by the distiller. Neat servings are typically poured directly into a glass, often a snifter or a similar glass that helps concentrate the aromas.

Types of Brandy
There are several types of brandy. When brandy comes from a specific region, it can be named after that area, such as Cognac or Armagnac. If brandy is made from other fruits, the type of fruit must be specified before the word "brandy" on the label, like Laird's Apple Brandy. However, if the brandy is made entirely from grapes, you can simply label it as "brandy" without specifying the fruit.

How to Store Brandy
Store brandy upright in a cool, dark place, tightly sealed to preserve its quality.

How is Brandy Made?
Brandy is crafted by distilling wine and aging the distilled spirit in oak barrels. To be classified as brandy, it must be aged for a minimum of 2 years in oak. Our Solera Gold Brandy exceeds this requirement, aging for 4 years or more to achieve its exceptional quality.

How to Pair with Food
Brandy pairs well with chocolate, cheese, nuts, and fruit-based desserts.

What are the Unique Characteristics of Brandy?
Brandy is a versatile spirit known for its rich, complex flavor profile, which includes notes of dried fruits, caramel, vanilla, and spices. Aged in oak barrels, it can develop additional characteristics such as a smooth texture and the distinctive "rancio" flavor found in older brandies.

What Kind of Brandy Distillation Techniques Do You Use?
Napa Valley Brandy Co uses only traditional techniques including the double pot distillation method. Most craft distillers will use this method.

How Should I Taste Brandy and Other Spirits?
When tasting spirits, avoid breathing into your lungs while the spirit is in your mouth, as this can cause a burning sensation. Instead, breathe in and fill your lungs while the spirit is still in your glass. Then take a sip and allowing your saliva to dilute the spirit slightly. After about 5 to 10 seconds, swallow the spirit and slowly exhale. Enjoying the beautiful aromas on the exhale. This way, you get all the flavor without the burn!

What does Rancio mean?

Rancio is a distinctive flavor and aroma characteristic that develops in some aged brandies, particularly those aged for extended periods. This term, borrowed from Spanish and French winemaking, describes a complex, nutty, and oxidative quality often reminiscent of dried fruits, nuts, leather, tobacco, and earthy undertones. The rancio flavor results from long-term aging in oak barrels, where exposure to air and the interaction between the spirit and wood contribute to this unique and desirable profile. It is most commonly found in older brandies, such as our Solera Gold brandy.