382 SWEETS

eaux-de-vie brandies made as if you’ve been transported to THE GRAND from grape pomace such as an orchard or a berry field. marc and grappa are replacing Some prefer these bran- FINALE fruit liqueurs in popularity. dies served ice cold. We like A true fruit brandy, or eau- them at room temperature, but After-dinner drinks have always de-vie, must be distilled entirely in any case, offer them in your been popular in America. Now, from the fruit itself; the result is finest tiny glasses. They are with our new desire to end a a dry, often colorless liquid expensive, since they are the meal less heavily, Cognac, whose aroma bursts forth from pure essence of the fruit, but Armagnac, fruit brandies, or the uncorked bottle. It’s almost worth experiencing.

ESSENCE FRUIT ORIGIN NOTES Armagnac Saint-Emilion, Gers and Armagnac is amber to brown in color, Meslier, and Landes, France depending on its age. The smoother and Picpoule grapes more richly fl avored are aged fi ve years or longer in oak.

Applejack Apple United States An American favorite, but without the rich body of Calvados.

California Thompson California These pale gold brandies are not yet the Brandy Seedless grape equal of the European, but are pleasant to sip and excellent for cooking.

Calvados Apple Normandy, Rich in color and crisp apple fl avor, it France refl ects the sophistication of aging.

Cognac Saint-Emilion, France Cognacs are brandies; not all brandies Folle Blanche, are Cognacs. A true Cognac is made only and Colombard in the Cognac region, by a lengthy aging grapes process. The resulting amber liquid is worth the price.

Grappa Grape pomace Piedmont and A by-product of the wine-making process. Friuli, Italy It has a fi ery and biting fl avor.

Fraise Strawberry France An eau-de-vie that is not sweet, but fully fruit-fl avored.

Framboise Raspberry France Made from the essence of 40 pounds of fruit per bottle, it fairly explodes with the smell and fl avor of raspberries.

Marc de Grape pomace Burgundy, Another by-product of the wine-making Bourgogne France process; it is often considered harsh and “plebeian,” but in France it is the favorite of the rural gentry.

Mirabelle Yellow plum Lorraine and Clear and delicate—this is a spectacular Alsace, France sipping brandy.

Pear Brandy Williams pear France, An eau-de-vie with the full, elegant fl avor or Poire Switzerland, of pears. An experience. Williams Germany