What is brandy?

Brandy is any kind of fruit-based spirit, including Cognac. Cognac must be made in the Cognac region and Armagnac comes from the region of Armagnac. read more

Brandy may be added to other beverages to make several popular cocktails; these include the Brandy Sour, the Brandy Alexander, the Sidecar, the Brandy Daisy, and the Brandy Old Fashioned. Culinary uses. Brandy is a common deglazing liquid used in making pan sauces for steak and other meat. read more

Cognac is a brandy from a specific section of Charente, about two-thirds of the way from Paris to Bordeaux. The region is a patchwork of roughly 15,000 vineyards, some dating back to the Roman Empire, and French law describes in minute detail which grapes can be used in the production of cognac. read more

Brandy is a spirit made by distilling grapes to a higher proof than they achieve as wine. Most is made from actual grape wine, though some may also be made from the pulpy mixture of stems and seeds left after grapes are pressed, and some is made from the fermented juices of fruits other than grapes. read more