Fruit Brandies – Eau De Vie
Most spirits called brandy are distilled from grape wine, but some are made from a mash of fresh fruits such as plums, cherries, apples and others. Also, some countries make brandies from starchy vegetables too. The French word for a brandy made from a fruit other than grapes is eau de vie meaning water of life. These fiery spirits are clear and colourless like water. They contain no added sweeteners, as do the flavoured and coloured liqueurs sometimes called fruit brandies.
Pear Brandy
Pear brandy is made by being finely chopped and placed in pure grain alcohol. This mixture is then distilled in a pot still. Fruit spirits are not usually aged in barrels, because the woody taste would interfere with the delicate aromas and flavours. If they are aged at all, they are put in large earthenware jugs for several years. In general, only stone-fruit spirits are aged. Bottles of pear brandy are sometimes sold with a whole pear floating inside.
Poire Williams
The bottle growing on the tree is the astonishing novelty that helps this excellent eau de vie catch the attention of even the most conservative drinkers. In the spring time each year, the carafes are placed on the pear trees, so that the fruit may grow directly into the individual bottles. In the early fall the bottles are removed from the trees, with the pear inside. When both are picked, the remaining space inside the bottle is filled with a brandy made from the same fruit, the Williams pear, also known as Bartlett. Growing the pear in the bottle is a laborious and costly process and such products command a high price.
How To Serve it
Chilled and straight, or use it to give a special pear fragrance to cocktails. Also, ice cold ‘frappé’ for a perfect after meal digestive. Keep the bottle in a cool place or in the fridge.
Santé!