Brandy

Brandy’s sales have grown faster in last couple of years than they have for a while, this is leading to more investment in the region and the drinks. The big brands continue to dominate but overall things are looking more rosy here... The very finest examples come from France in the form of Armagnac from the South-West and Cognac from Charentes. These spirits are usually blended to offer consistency of style and quality. The age of the spirit indicates the quality level at which it appears, from the everyday VS level through to XO and beyond. The best of them offer a fantastically complex drink to round off any meal. The brandies of Spain tend to be fuller, a little sweeter and darker in colour, while those of Asbach from Germany’s Rhine valley are a little lighter.