Brandy: A Global History

Edible

by Becky Sue Epstein

An aromatic spirit made from distilled wine and produced around the globe, brandy is a spirit loved by many. Long associated with refined taste and sophisticated consumption, today it has taken on a new life in the world of mixology. Cognac – an illustrious and elegant amber brandy – is currently one of the most fashionable components of high-end mixed drinks, consumed in the world’s coolest bars.Many cultures have played a part in the history of the beverage, from the Dutch who made brandewijn or ‘burnt wine’ to the Spanish colonials in Peru and California who produced the first brandies in the New World. Brandy takes readers on a journey from the alchemists of the Middle Ages to present-day mixology hotspots, chronicling the history of the drink and the beautiful locations in which it is produced. For those inclined to imbibe, the book offers advice on buying, storing and serving brandy, and features classic and new cocktail recipes for both connoisseurs and first-time drinkers to enjoy.

Genres: Food, Food and Drink, Alcohol

145 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Sesana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way too much information about individual producers.

[Greg · Rating 1 out of 5]

Limited to grape brandies. Well, okay. But more factoids than any real "history", and with a level of detail and convincingness that feels like the author did most of her research on Wikipedia.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started strong before derailing into detailed discussions of individual producers. Ultimately disappointing.

[Jonathon Lapak · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good, concise history of the drink. But written in a very just-the-facts kind of way.