Also known as a Japanese rice wine, Sake is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting rice that has been polished to remove the bran. Unlike wine, in which alcohol is produced by fermenting sugar that is naturally present in grapes, Sake is produced by a brewing process more akin to that of beer, where starch is converted into sugars which ferment into alcohol.
A fragrant, grape-based pomace brandy of Italian origin.
Armagnac lies to the south of Bordeaux and the vineyards are split into three areas: Bas-Armagnac, Ténarèze and Haut-Armagnac. Bas-Armagnac produces what are said to be the most elegant spirits and accounts for 65% of the total production of the region. Ténarèze accounts for most of the rest, as it is often more profitable to […]
The Cognac region is just north of Bordeaux, where it borders onto the region’s vineyards. The region is divided into six crus: Grande Champagne, Petit Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois and Bois Ordinaires. (Grande & Petit Champagne have nothing to do with the sparkling wine region).
Agave-based distillates made throughout Mexico are known generically as Mezcal. Mezcal has often been seen as the poor sibling to Tequila, but its quality and reputation are rapidly improving. The process of crafting Mezcal begins by harvesting the plants, which can weigh 40 kg each, extracting the piña or heart by cutting off the plant’s leaves and […]
Extra Añejo (Extra Aged) are super premium Tequilas that must be aged in oak barrels no larger than 600 litres for at least three years.
Añejo (aged) Tequilas must be aged in oak barrels no larger than 600 litres, for at least a year. The agave character in Añejo Tequila, which is much less pronounced than in younger Tequilas, can be well balanced with a rich texture and a vanilla, spicy character from the wood.
Reposado (rested) Tequilas must be aged for a minimum of two months and no more than one year in wooden vessels. The spirit is noticeably mellowed during its short maturation, becoming pale golden but retaining its characterful agave pungency.
