Eau de vie
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An eau de vie that is produced by means of fermentation and double distillation. The fruit flavor is typically very light.
In English-speaking countries, eau de vie refers to a
Production
Fruit spirit
Traditional fruit spirits are made with ripe fruit that is fermented, distilled, and quickly bottled to preserve the freshness and aroma of the parent fruit. Eaux de vie are typically not aged in wooden casks, hence they are clear. Although this is the usual practice, some distillers age their products before bottling.[2]
Geist
Some fruits, such as
Varieties
Most commonly available flavors in France are eau de vie de poire (pear, known as eau de vie de Poire Williams when made from the Williams pear), eau de vie de framboise (raspberries), eau de vie de pomme (apple), eau de vie de mirabelle (mirabelle plum), and eau de vie de pêche (peach). When made from pomace, it is called pomace brandy or marc.
While most eaux de vie from the Alpine regions of Europe only rest very briefly in glass containers, others are aged in wooden casks before bottling. Thus,
In the Caribbean, eaux-de-vie are made from tropical fruits such as
The term can also refer to maple eau de vie, made from maple syrup.
Acerum is a Canadian eau de vie made in Quebec from maple syrup.[5]
Serving
An eau de vie is usually served as a digestif. The typical serving size is 30 to 60 ml (1.1 to 2.1 imp fl oz; 1.0 to 2.0 US fl oz), owing to the high alcohol content of the spirit and because it is typically drunk after a meal during which wine, or some other alcoholic beverage, has already been served.
Sometimes, also is used in traditional recipes of the French cuisine, for deglazing, instead of – or together with – the usual white wine.
Eaux de vie should be served cold.[6]
See also
- Akvavit
- Aqua vitae
- Aguardiente
- Brandy
- Chacha
- Damassine
- Grappa
- Kirsch
- Liquor
- Orujo
- Pálinka
- Rakia
- Schnapps
- St. George Spirits – an American producer of eau de vie
- Țuică
- Williamine
Explanatory notes
- ^ English: /oʊdəˈviː/; French: [odəvi]. Plural: eaux de vie. The phrase can also be hyphenated eau-de-vie and eaux-de-vie
References
- ^ a b c d Regulation (EU) No 110/2008 of 15 January 2008 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1576/89 §16, §17
- ^ Asimov, Eric (15 August 2007). "An Orchard in a Bottle, at 80 Proof". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 July 2007.
But his first love are the gorgeous, impeccably pure eaux de vie that he makes from pears and plums, cherries and raspberries, and even, in a distinctly Northwestern touch, from the springtime buds of Douglas firs.
- ^ Apple, R. W. Jr. (April 1998). "EAU de Vie: Fruit's Essence Captured in a Bottle". The New York Times.
- ^ "Beim Schnapsbrenner in Spalt: Destillierte Heimat" [At the Schnaps Maker in Spalt: Distilled Homeland]. Bayerischer Rundfunk (in German). 2 March 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ "Alcools à base d'érable: un marché en pleine effervescence". LaTerre (in French). 22 December 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
- ^ Prial, Frank J. (18 February 1979). "Fruits of the Distiller's Art". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
External links
- Buying guide from Food & Wine