The traditional glass for drinking Brandy de Jerez is the characteristic “balloon glass” with a large bowl slightly nipped in at the top and a short stem. Its bulbous shape looks as if it were designed so that the hand could embrace the glass and its contents. It is important to avoid glasses which are too small or too big and so we recommend a glass with a capacity of between 500cl and 750cl which should never be filled beyond one-fifth of its capacity. This allows one to swirl the brandy round the walls of the glass which should be of the finest quality and transparency. Traditionally the glass should be filled to such a level that if laid on its side the brandy would not spill.
This type of glass gives the brandy a large surface area allowing the intense aromas, especially the most volatile components such as alcohol itself, to be released by the warmth of the consumer’s caressing hand.
If the consumer wishes to drink the brandy at a lower temperature and appreciate the distinct aromatic nuances in a subtler way, the ideal glass would have a longer stem allowing the hand to be farther away from the bowl. This glass should have a longer, slimmer shape (like a wine tasting glass) with a gentle tulip shape at the top.
Naturally the enjoyment of Brandy de Jerez is, in the end, up to the consumer’s personal preference. Using the traditional balloon glass with a shape suitable for hand contact gives a suitable temperature to the brandy of some 20 degrees. However we would certainly advise against the old custom of using little glass-heating devices with a flame, or heating the glass before pouring. This upsets the aromatic balance of the brandy by allowing the most volatile components to evaporate and intensifies the sensation of alcohol.
We recommend that Brandy de Jerez should always be served between 10 degrees and a maximum of fifteen degrees centigrade (50-59 Fahrenheit) for the maximum enjoyment of all its aromatic and flavour nuances in perfect harmony. At a temperature of about 12 degrees and helped by gentle movement of the glass the brandy will display all its aromas from the most volatile to the most subtle. With a small sip in the mouth it will gently warm up giving a warm feeling – but not burning – and an expression of great intensity of flavour which will linger on in the aftertaste.
Bodegas Barbadillo
Bodegas Osborne
Bodegas Fundador
Bodegas Dios Baco
Sanchez Romate HNOS. S.A
Bodegas Tradición
Bodega Gutiérrez Colosía
Alvaro Domecq
Bodega de los Infantes de Orleans Borbón
Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana
Bodegas Williams & Humbert
Bodegas Francisco Yuste
Bodegas y Viñedos Diez Merito
Gonzalez Byass
Brandy Fernando de Castilla
Bodegas Lustau
Valdespino y Marqués del Real Tesoro
