How it’s
made
Spirit
Of Wine
Gran Duque de Alba brandy embodies the spirit of wine.
Its ingredients proceed from the distillation of fine, well-balanced wines, and its ageing process is the same as that for sherries.
A complex and “dynamic” system, criaderas & soleras, exclusive to the area (*), is employed.
At the bottom, the first of these levels is the solera, which contains the oldest Gran Duque de Alba brandy, followed by the first tier (criadera), in order of age, and the second tier in order of age, etc.
For bottling, the same amount is extracted from each barrel on the solera, a process called la saca.
The brandy taken from the solera is replenished with the same amount from the first tier, and, in turn, with that from the second tier, and so on, until reaching the last one, where the holandas (distillates) are found.
This is what is known as rocío (dew).
Through this aging system, it is possible for the consumer to always enjoy a Gran Duque de Alba brandy with the same flavor, aroma and quality. This is the result of the consistency achieved through use of this system, which differs from the “static” vintage system in which wines by the same brand vary in quality depending on the harvest.
Spirit
Of Wine
Gran Duque de Alba brandy embodies the spirit of wine.
Its ingredients proceed from the distillation of fine, well-balanced wines, and its ageing process is the same as that for sherries.
A complex and “dynamic” system, criaderas & soleras, exclusive to the area (*), is employed.
At the bottom, the first of these levels is the solera, which contains the oldest Gran Duque de Alba brandy, followed by the first tier (criadera), in order of age, and the second tier in order of age, etc.
For bottling, the same amount is extracted from each barrel on the solera, a process called la saca.
The brandy taken from the solera is replenished with the same amount from the first tier, and, in turn, with that from the second tier, and so on, until reaching the last one, where the holandas (distillates) are found.
This is what is known as rocío (dew).
Through this aging system, it is possible for the consumer to always enjoy a Gran Duque de Alba brandy with the same flavor, aroma and quality. This is the result of the consistency achieved through use of this system, which differs from the “static” vintage system in which wines by the same brand vary in quality depending on the harvest.
Wood
behind Brandy Gran Duque de Alba.
Not only because they are American oak casks,
whose porosity and capacity to impart color
and flavor is ideal, but, above all, because they
have previously contained some of our extraordinary
Bodegas William & Humbert sherries.
Depending on the wine aged in them, they
will endow the Brandy with unique
characteristics and nuances: old oloroso for GDA,
‘Don Guido’ Pedro Ximénez for GDA XO and
‘Dos Cortados’ Palo Cortado for GDA Oro.
Williams & Humbert brands that have
garnered awards internationally, and are
aged, in the case of the last two, for more
than 20 years, certified by the
Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Regulatory Council.
Wood
behind Brandy Gran Duque de Alba.
Not only because they are American oak casks,
whose porosity and capacity to impart color
and flavor is ideal, but, above all, because they
have previously contained some of our extraordinary
Bodegas William & Humbert sherries.
Depending on the wine aged in them, they
will endow the Brandy with unique
characteristics and nuances: old oloroso for GDA,
‘Don Guido’ Pedro Ximénez for GDA XO and
‘Dos Cortados’ Palo Cortado for GDA Oro.
Williams & Humbert brands that have
garnered awards internationally, and are
aged, in the case of the last two, for more
than 20 years, certified by the
Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Regulatory Council.
Aging
in the elaboration of Brandy Gran Duque
de Alba: 12 years for GDA, 18 for GDA XO,
and 25 for GDA Oro (Gold), brands that fuse
a complex set of flavors and aromas that only
time can combine in such a harmonious way.
Aging
in the elaboration of Brandy Gran Duque
de Alba: 12 years for GDA, 18 for GDA XO,
and 25 for GDA Oro (Gold), brands that fuse
a complex set of flavors and aromas that only
time can combine in such a harmonious way.
(*) Sherry Brandy:
As for sherry brandy, it differs from others for its unique organoleptic characteristics, which are the result of its traditional production system, the characteristics of the wooden vessels in which it is aged, and, naturally, the climate in the geographical area where it originates: the Marco de Jerez, or Sherry Triangle.
(*) Criaderas & Soleras System:
In essence, it is the storage of barrels (botas) divided into levels, each of which is formed by an approximately equal number of these vessels. At the bottom, the first of these levels is the solera, which contains the oldest Gran Duque de Alba brandy, followed by the first tier (criadera), in order of age, and the second tier in order of age, etc. For bottling, the same amount is extracted from each barrel on the solera, a process called la saca.
The brandy taken from the solera is replenished with the same amount from the first tier, and, in turn, with that from the second tier, and so on, until reaching the last one, where the holandas (distillates) are found. This is what is known as rocío (dew).
