What does "brandy" refer to in terms of production?

Brandy refers specifically to distilled wine, which sets it apart from other types of spirits. The production process involves fermenting grapes or other fruits to create wine, which is then distilled to produce brandy. This process concentrates the alcohol content and enhances the flavors derived from the original fruit, resulting in a spirit that retains the essence of the wine, but at a higher proof.

Understanding that brandy is made from distilled wine is essential when distinguishing it from other alcoholic beverages. For instance, distilled grain would pertain to spirits like whiskey or vodka, while fermented fruit generally refers to products like wine or cider. Infused spirits involve adding flavors to base spirits, typically after distillation, which is not how brandy is produced. Therefore, recognizing brandy as a result of distilling wine is crucial to grasp the fundamentals of its production and classification within the realm of spirits.