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Brandy...

A teetotaler handed on this bottle of Brandy, knowing that I will be fascinated by the design which eventually will be added to my private collection. The bottle is fashioned in the make of the Eiffel Tower, a famous icon of Paris, France.

What deemed to be a premium ‘manly’ liquor or symbolic drink of the rich and affluent society has now become a contemporary classic ubiquitously found at bars or social events, enjoyed by both dudes and babes.

Brandy, commonly viewed as an opulent amber-colored spirit with vermilion reflections, is a distilled beverage with no added sugar, aka “Burnt Wine” and it can catch fire and burn easily. You can serve neat, straight up, on the rocks or marry with other beverages. The rich and intense spirit is derived from the harmonious blending of meticulously selected ingredients and experienced master crafting. The exuberant robust aroma will caress your nose and your palate will be smoothened with a lingering finish as you down a shot of Brandy.

Do you know that Brandy consists mainly of 3 types:

First, Grape brandy which is produced from the distillation of fermented grapes. Second, Fruit brandy that is distilled from fruits other than grapes. For example, Applejack Brandy if the brandy is made from apples or Peach Brandy if it is made from peaches. Third, Pomace brandy which is made from the fermentation and distillation of the marc that remain after grapes have been pressed to extract their juice.

Brandy Vs Cognac

Brandy, not to be confused with Cognac; a variant Fruit Brandy aka Eau de vie which is only produced from the Cognac region, South of France. Brandy which is produced from the exterior of Cognac Region will still be known as Brandy even though they may use the same ingredients or production methods. Cognac is the supreme of all brandies and only 6 zones in the Cognac Region are authorized to produce Cognac Brandy: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bon Bois and Bois Ordinaire. Renowned makers of Cognac are Courvoisier, Hennessy, Martell, Rémy Martin and Otard.

So, how do you decipher the acronyms on the bottle labels?

Here’s a quick guide quoted from Wikipedia:

Brandy 

A.C. - aged 2 years in wood.

V.S. - "Very Special" or 3 Stars; aged at least 3 years in wood.

V.S.O.P. - "Very Superior Old Pale" or 5 Stars; aged at least 5 years in wood.

X.O. - “Extra Old", Napoleon or Vieille Reserve; aged at least 6 years; Napoleon at least 4 years.

Vintage - Stored in the cask until the time it is bottled with the label displaying the vintage date.

Hors d'age - Too old to determine the age; 10 years plus is standard and the quality is usually superior.

Cognac

V.S. - "Very Special" or ✯✯✯; a blend in which the youngest brandy has been stored for at least 2 years in a cask.

    

V.S.O.P. - "Very Superior Old Pale"; a blend in which the youngest brandy is stored for at least 4 years in a cask.

XO - "Extra Old"; a blend in which the youngest brandy is stored for at least 6 years but on average for up to 20 years.

Napoleon is a grade equal to XO but generally marketed in between VSOP and XO.

Extra specifies a minimum age of 6 years and is usually older than a Napoleon or an XO.

Vieux is a grade in between VSOP and XO.

Vieille Réserve is similar to the Hors d´Âge; a grade beyond XO.

Hors d'âge - "Beyond Age"; a blend which BNIC states is equal to XO.

How can you enjoy Brandy or Cognac at its fullest?

Tips to swirl & toast Brandy or Cognac
from some professional experts:

“Brandy should be drunk cool as a cool brandy produces a fuller and smoother mouth feel and less of a ‘burning’ sensation. Also, alcohol becomes thin when it is heated.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandy)

Ms Gan Chian Mei, Brand ambassadress of Remy Martin suggests “adding ice to Cognac will not harm the quality of liquor and instead helps to reveal the aroma.” (http://sg.lifestyleasia.com/en/features/wine-and-dine/five-must-knows-for-all-new-cognac-drinkers-8985/)

Master Blender of Courvoisier, Mr Patrice Pinet “prefers a snifter glass to a traditional brandy balloon as its unique shape ensures the complex aromas in the cognac to congregate at the top of the glass. After pouring, give your cognac time to interact with the air to fully release these complex aromas before you taste - He calls this 'The Minute Mystique'." (http://courvoisier.com/neat/)

 Hope you will have a better inclination towards Brandy or Cognac after reading this post.

XOXO from “Zon Recommends”

Other Sources of Info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognac_(brandy)
XOXO means Hugs & Kisses (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugs_and_kisses)

Champagne-Infused Jelly

A bon vivant passed me some remaining Russian Champagne and by chance, I thought of this Holly X’mas Jelly Recipe. This Afters delivers a winey palate bursting with the scent of luscious grapes.

Ingredients: 

250ml Russian Champagne, Abrau

350ml Sparkling Red Grape Juice

120g Unsweetened Konnyaku Jelly Powder

¼ can Delmonte seedless and peeled grapes

Pour the Russian Champagne & Sparkling red grape juice

into a saucepan.

Set over low heat and bring to a boil.

Pour the Konnyaku jelly powder in.

Stir gently and simmer for 5 mins.

Pop 3 grapes into each jelly mould and fill it up with the mixture.

Let it cool down before chilling in the refrigerator.

Serve and Enjoy!

CAVEAT: This Afters is not suitable for the young or teetotalers.

My X’mas Gift – A Foodie’s Notebook

A Foodie’s notebook which I have just received from a boon companion, amazes me with its design concept. This notebook is akin to an AK-47 presented for my future ‘battles’…in food blogging.
“Bang, Bang, Bang, Blog, Blog, Blog”

An interesting quote discovered at the back of the notebook:

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”

Virginia Woolf (A room of one’s own)

Very true, I can’t help but agree totally with her. Ultimately, food gives us energy to do many wonderful things. And of course,  ‘A Cheerful meal is also Good medicine.’ So folks, I wish you all: “Eat Well, Sleep Well & Shit Well!” Oops, please pardon my gaucheness but I meant well.

(Double click for better view)

Luscious Lip gloss in a LOLLIPOP!

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I'm dreaming of a sweet Christmas

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May your lips be merry and bright

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An ideal X’mas gift to pamper her voluptuous lips

without adding to her pounds or hurting your pocketbook!

The flavors du jour:

Caramel,  Cherry, Grape, Mango+Kiwi+Pineapple, Orange & Strawberry

Retailing at SGD $13.90 each

Available at selected Watsons

Brought to you by “Chupa Chups & Kiss Me (Jap Cosmetic Co)”

(These two are purchased at Eastpoint Mall, Simei Watsons Outlet.)