Thursday, January 13, 2011

Eau de Vie

Eau de vie is a French term for a clear, colorless fruit brandy, other than grape, that is produced by means of fermentation and distillation. The finished product is often quickly bottled to preserve the freshness and aroma of the parent fruit. Examples are Poire (pear), Mirabelle (yellow plum), Pomme (apple), Framboise (raspberry), Kirsch (cherry) and Fraise (strawberry). Some producers age them a bit, especially in oak, like Calvados. Variations from other countries include Akvavit, Slovovitz, and Schnapps. Generally, they’re not sweet and the fruit flavor is typically very light. Ideal as a digestif after a meal, you’d best sip sparingly as they’re usually 40+% alcohol and pack quite a punch. Cheers!

No comments:

Post a Comment