Brandy del Penedés is a type of Spanish wine brandy produced in the Catalonian Penedès region, more precisely in Alt Penedès, Baix Penedés, and Constantí. It is distilled from the fermented grape mash, and it is always oak-aged, usually in French or American oak.
Most producers opt to use native grape varieties, primarily Macabeo, Xarello, and Perellada, which typically have high acidity and low alcohol content. This brandy typically has amber or golden brown color and a full body. The flavors are reminiscent of caramel, wood, toasted nuts, and vanilla, while the aromas include a blend of dried fruit and warming spices.
Brandy del Penedés can be distilled with discontinuous or continuous distillation. They can be aged using both dynamic (solera) and static systems. Read more
The solera is a traditional system in which the distillers age and blend younger and older brandies. The barrels are stacked on top of each other, with the lowest containing the oldest brandy. When some amount of this matured brandy is taken out, it is topped with the brandy from the next row above.
These are then topped with the brandy from the casks in the row above and so on. The top barrels are filled with the most recently distilled spirits. This technique will usually result in more complex brandies. In the static system, the brandy is kept in the same oak barrel and is not mixed with other brandies.
Penedés brandy can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or incorporated into cocktails and mixed drinks.
