Copius
Brandy de Jerez, drawn for Copius

Brandy de Jerez

Brandy de Jerez

Latin nameVitis vinifera 'Airén'
FamilyWines & spirits
OriginJerez, Andalusia
Season (France)All year
FlavourSweet · Woody · Nutty · Rich
Typical price (France)20–45 €/L

What it is

The wine is Airen from La Mancha, but the spirit only becomes Brandy de Jerez by ageing inside the sherry triangle, in butts that already held oloroso or Pedro Ximenez: here the appellation is the cask, not the vineyard. It moves down through criaderas and a solera exactly as the sherry does, so no bottle is ever of one single year.

In the kitchen

It arrives already carrying raisin and oxidised sweetness, so cut the sugar elsewhere - a sauce for kidneys or pork needs no added Pedro Ximenez on top of it. Deglaze and reduce it hard; a light splash leaves the dish tasting of the bottle rather than of the pan.

Goes with

Pork Oloroso Raisin Almond Serrano ham Kidneys Dark chocolate Orange

Same species

Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale DOP Amontillado Armagnac Banyuls Champagne vinegar Cognac

Also used with

Carabinero prawn

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