As we all know, fermentation acts as the basis of the process for all liquors. It is the breakdown of sugar into ethanol and carbon dioxide by the action of yeast. What we call "wine" is a drinkable liquid containing ethanol (alcohol) with an ethanol content of between 0.5% and 75.5%, as well as certain nutrients and flavor components. According to historical records, wine was the first alcohol enjoyed by human beings, when it was a product of natural fermentation that was discovered by chance. There are tens of thousands of types of wine around the world, and the raw materials used in winemaking and the alcohol content of wine are also very different. In order to make it easier for people to understand and memorize, different methods are used to classify them. If the production of raw materials for the classification of wine, can be roughly divided into grain wine, spices and herbs wine, fruit wine, milk and egg wine, plant pulp wine, mead and mixed wine seven categories; if you drink the timing for the division of alcohol, there are pre-dinner wine (or aperitif wine), wine with meals, wine after meals and the different special drinks; if the alcohol content of the different classifications, but also has a low degree of alcohol, moderate wine and high degree of alcohol; but if you take the nature of wine to be divided, you can be the wine However, if they are divided by the nature of alcohol, they can be categorized into three main types: (1) fermented alcohol, including wine, beer, rice wine and cider. (2) Distilled spirits, including whisky, brandy, Oudeke, rum, Tequila and Chinese baijiu. (3) Refined and synthetically reproduced liquors, including gin, liqueur, mezcal (or vermouth), bitters, dulce de leche, ginseng, and so on. Usually, the last liquor is the more popular and widely used method of categorization.
The following introduction of several kinds of foreign wines and their related knowledge, although part of the vast ocean of foreign wines, but it is the essence of the unknowable, and therefore, has become one of the key points for bartenders to learn professional knowledge. First of all, through the learning and mastery of the knowledge of foreign wines, for the future work and further study to lay a solid foundation, but also to pave the way to a new level. Here to introduce a few kinds of foreign wine: wine brandy mint wine whiskey whisky, wigwam, champagne, gin, vodka, rum, whisky, sherry, port, Tequila
Wine
Wine can only be fresh grapes or grape juice through all or part of the alcoholic fermentation and production of beverages, which contains the alcohol content of the alcohol shall not be less than 8.5%, some regions due to climate, soil, varieties and other factors, its alcohol content can be less than 8.5%, and some regions due to climate, soil, varieties and other factors, its alcohol content can be less than 8.5%. In some areas, due to climate, soil, variety and other factors, the alcohol content can be reduced to 7%. There are red, white and rosé wine colors. Red wines are made from juice pressed with the skins on, while white wines are made from juice with the skins removed. There are red and white table wines, champagne, and port wines. The climate and the soil have an absolute influence on the quality of the wine. That's why Bordeaux, the center of the French Gironde, is known throughout the world. The red wine traded here is called CLARET because it has the quality of aroma and light flavor that can represent red wine. The wine contains minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, a small amount of tannins and vitamins. So it is suitable for people who have just recovered from an illness and those with gastrointestinal problems. The tannins are also suitable for storage, so many have been stored for more than sixty years. Wine is produced in many parts of the world, but it is most famous in France, Italy, Germany and China.
Brandy
Any wine made from grapes and various fruits through the processes of fermentation and distillation is collectively called brandy. It is made by putting the material produced by the above process into wooden barrels and storing it for years to mature. So the predecessor of brandy is actually white wine. The best white wine is produced in France, and naturally, French brandy is also the best. It is said that in the sixteenth century or earlier, when the brandy trade has just begun, for the production of perfume distillation technology has not been utilized to wine. At that time the trade in wine was flourishing between LA ROCHELLE, a dock on the river CHARENTE in France, and Holland. This business was all realized by sea transportation from there. But because of the war, the dangers were great and losses were of course common. Full cases of wine took up a lot of space in the hold. Therefore, a clever Dutch merchant came up with a brilliant idea, which was to remove the water from the wine and concentrate it into alcohol. This way it would not take up much space when it was shipped to Holland and would not be too much of a loss in case of war. When it arrived at the destination, it was blended with water to become the original wine. However, when the merchant arrived in Holland, his friends tried this concentrated wine and found it tasted sweet, but tasted bad after mixing it with water. So the merchant decided to sell it as wine. The Dutch call this wine "brande wine", which means wine that can be burned, and brandy is also simplified from the original Dutch word. What is the difference between cognac and ordinary brandy? Cognac is actually an old town in the southwestern part of France along the Charentie River, which is also the most famous wine-producing region. It is blessed with a favorable climate and soil for grape growing. Therefore, the wine brandy made from grapes in this region is collectively called Cognac to show its preciousness. In order to guarantee the quality of the brandy, the French government has set strict rules for the name of Cognac: only brandy made from grapes grown in the Cognac region and produced in the region can be labeled as Cognac. Another famous brandy region in France is Iwamana. French brandy uses a letter or star to indicate how long the brandy has been stored, the longer the better. V.S.O" is for brandy aged 12-20 years; "V.S.O.P" is for brandy aged 20-30 years; "X.O" generally refers to brandy aged 40 years; "X.O" is for brandy aged 40 years; "X.O" generally refers to brandy aged 40 years; "X.O" generally refers to brandy aged 40 years; "X.O" generally refers to brandy aged 40 years; "X.O" generally refers to brandy aged 40 years. X" is the abbreviation of Extra, which means extra. Brandy wine uses star marks to indicate storage time: one star indicates 3 years of aging, two stars indicate 4 years of aging, and three stars indicate 5 years of aging. The most famous brandies in the world today are: Corovisis, Hai Hennessy, T .F. Martyr, Remy Martin, and Carmex.
Mint liquor
Also called CREME DE MINT, is a kind of mint leaves, lemon peel and other medicinal materials, added to the alcohol distillation, and then put into the sugar and a small amount of peppermint oil made by the mixture of alcohol, there are two kinds of green and white. It has a sweet taste and a unique minty aroma that can be compared to vermouth, which contains absinthe concentrate, and is a typical example of a liquor. It is said to be very effective in cases of indigestion or on a full stomach. In addition, it is more of an evening drink for ladies.
Whisky
Whisky is one of the most representative distilled spirits made from barley, rye, corn, etc., which is fermented and distilled and then put into wooden casks for aging. The market has a large number of sales. Whisky has a wide range of origins, and the manufacturing methods are not exactly the same. From the raw material points, whiskey has "malt whiskey" (MALT, Scotch whisky and Irish whiskey two kinds); "bourbon" (BOURBON); "corn whiskey "(CORN) three kinds. Whiskey is said to be made from the original inhabitants of Ireland in the United Kingdom, the "water of life". The original product was sweeter than the current one because it was used as a tonic to eliminate fatigue. Generally speaking, whiskey has a distinctive aroma. It is said that this aroma is a combination of the flavor of sherry and the red fruit of the cedar tree. Whisky can be classified into the following four types according to its place of origin: A Scotch Whisky is a famous product of Scotland, made from barley malt that has been dried and peat-smoked to produce a distinctive flavor as a distilling ingredient. The minimum aging time for this spirit is 8 years, usually 10 years or longer. Scotch whisky has a unique style, brownish yellow with reddish color, clear and bright, smell of burnt incense, with a strong smoky taste. Famous brands of Scotch Whisky are: Black Square, Chivas Regal, Old Fashioned, Premium. B Irish Whiskey It is made from barley, oats and other grains, distilled three times and aged in wooden barrels for 8-15 years. The style is close to Scotch Whiskey, the most obvious difference is that there is no smoky burnt flavor, and the taste is soft, suitable for making a mixture of other drinks mixed with alcohol. The more familiar brands are: Jimmerson and Sons, Powell's, Old Bushmill, and Tullamore. C Canadian Whisky. Canada began to produce whisky in the mid-18th century, when only the production of barley whisky, strong alcohol. 19th century, began to produce whisky made of corn, the taste is lighter. It is distilled, stored, blended and bottled under the administration of the Canadian government. The aging time in wooden barrels is 4-10 years. The main brands are Canadian Club, Sigur Rums, and Crown. D American Whiskey. Although the United States is only 200 years old, because most of its immigrants came from Europe, they brought with them the techniques of distilling. Bourbon Whiskey A location in the American state of Kentucky, the whiskey produced in Bourbon is known as bourbon whiskey. The main ingredients of bourbon whiskey are corn and barley, which are fermented and distilled and then aged for 2-4 years, not more than 8 years. Its name brands are Four Roses, Old Grandpa, Jim. Bing, Wild Turkey. Whiskey should be drunk with ice and soda so that it tastes less strong and calmer. The soda makes the liquor produce a lot of carbon dioxide gas, which is drunk, and the cold liquor rushes out of the nose. It's somewhat similar to the feeling of burping after drinking a full, cold beer. But the hit smells much more fragrant and is especially pleasant.
Weimar
Also known as pre-dinner wine (APERITIF). It is a kind of white wine as raw material, plus sugar, and then add all kinds of medicinal flavor spices and fortification, such as cornflower, cloves, aniseed and so on. There are two types of this wine: the sweet one is called SWEET VERRMOUTH, or ITALIA VERMOUTH, which has a strong color, and the spicy one is called DRY VERMOUTH, or FRANCE VERMOUTH, which is a mixed wine with a light color and little sweetness. Drinking it before a meal can boost your appetite and eliminate fatigue.
Champagne
Champagne is a type of boiling wine known as sparkling wine. It is so named because it is made from grapes from the region called Champagne (CHAMPAGNE) in the Marne Valley in northeastern France. Like wine, it comes in two colors: red and white. It is said that in the early eighteenth century, Dom Perignon Abbey grape round the person in charge, because of a year of grape production is reduced, so the grapes are not yet fully ripe juice into the bottle after storage. In the meantime, the wine was pressurized by the carbon dioxide produced during fermentation, and it became fizzy. Since the bottle is filled with gas, it makes a pleasant sound when the spigot is removed. Champagne has become an indispensable wine for Christmas and other celebrations. The soil in Champagne is rich in limestone and various minerals. Some minerals absorb heat, keeping the soil temperature in balance. This, combined with centuries of grape-growing tradition and experience, has made Champagne one of the finest wine-growing regions in the world. At the beginning of October, the grapes are picked, selected and pressed, and the juice flows into stainless steel vats for twelve hours to clarify, before being racked into barrels for the first fermentation. The following spring, the wine is bottled and placed in the cellar at a constant temperature of 10°C, where the second fermentation takes place over several months. Turning the bottles is an important part of the Champagne making process. The turning machine turns the bottles one-eighth of a week every day, so that the sediment in the wine slowly sinks to the top of the bottle. After six weeks, the cork is opened and the pressure inside the bottle flushes out the sediment, leaving the champagne pure and unadulterated. In order to fill in the gaps in the bottle after the sediment has drained out, it is necessary to add a filler containing sugar. The amount of filler determines the three types of champagne: plain, sour and slightly sour. The bottle is then closed and the wine continues to ferment slowly in the cellar. This process usually takes three to five years. One of the most important characteristics of Champagne is that it is made from a variety of grapes from different vintages, mixing purple and white grape juice; blending similar wines from different vintages. As for the method of mixing and the proportion of the preparation, it is a secret that is not shared by the wineries.
Gin
Gin, also known as gin, can be divided into two categories: Dutch gin and English gin. A Dutch-style gin. Adopting barley, malt, corn and barley as raw materials, it is distilled after saccharification and fermentation, and juniper berries and other herbs are added to it during distillation, and it is distilled twice. Gin is transparent and bright in color, with a prominent aroma and a unique style, making it suitable for single-drinking. Its famous brands are: Boles, Poma, Hans. B English-style gin. Gin is made from barley, corn and other raw materials, and after fermentation, it is put into a continuous distiller to distill a high alcohol liquor, add juniper berries and other spices, and then put into a single distiller to distill it again. English Gin can be drunk neat or used in mixers. English Gin is also known as Thousand Gin, which is colorless and transparent, with a distinctive aroma and a mellow, refreshing taste. The more popular brands are: Gordon's Gin, General's Gin, Budos Gin, Tankari Gin.
Vodka
Vodka is divided into two main categories, one is colorless, odorless vodka, and the other is to add a variety of spices vodka vodka vodka is a representative of Russia's spirits, raw materials are potatoes and corn. The original distilled vodka is slowly filtered for more than 8 hours to purify the original liquor into pure vodka by making full contact with activated charcoal molecules. Vodka is colorless and odorless, and is the most odorless of the liquors. Some of the more famous brands of vodka are: Crown, Skinrishna Wicked Worker, and Moscow Voskaja Green.
Rum
Rum is a by-product of the sugar industry, made from sugar cane, and is mostly produced in the tropics. The production process of rum is similar to that of most distilled spirits, in that after the raw materials are processed, the alcohol is fermented, and the spirit is distilled, it must be aged for another 1-3 years so that the spirit can take on the color and aroma of oak. Rum can be divided into three categories according to flavor, i.e. light rum, medium rum, and strong rum. Rum can also be divided into three categories by color, namely white rum, gold rum, and dark rum. Some of the famous brands of rum are: White Rum with White Caddy, Meyer's Black Rum, and Captain Morgan.
Mémeth
Mémeth is made from white wine and about 30 different spices. The recipe for the production of Mimosa is never kept secret, and there are four types of Mimosa wines. White Mimosa is consumed as an aperitif in Western cuisine. The famous places of origin of Mimosa are Italy and France. Famous Mimosas: made with distilled or brewed alcohol as the main liquor plus other ingredients.
Sherry
Produced in Cadiz, Spain, it is a double blend of locally produced wine and brandy, aged for about 15 years. The wine is divided into two categories, one is golden yellow and bright, giving a sense of freshness; the other is golden brown, excellent transparency, aroma rich nose, Ken has a typical walnut flavor, the more the more fragrant. The famous brands of this wine are: Heavenly Cup Sherry, Pan Martin Sherry, San Diemen's Sherry.
Port
Port is the most famous wine produced in Portugal. The majority of port wines are red wines, but there are also a few dry white port wines. Depending on the production process, there are aged port, wine-scaled port, ruby red port and tea port. Dry white port is suitable as an aperitif, while teal port is served with cheese. Famous brands of port include Croft, St. Germain, and Taylor.
Tequila
Tequila is produced in Mexico and is a strong liquor made from a cactus-like plant called agave. Agave has a growth period of 8-10 years, and its bulbous cactus class is used to make the spirit, which is first split and put into a still to distill, and then the removed agave is put into a tumbler to be crushed, poured with warm water, and put into the mother of the spirit to be fermented, and then distilled again, and then aged in wooden barrels. Tequila is amber in color, with a strange aroma and a fierce taste. The most common Tequilas are: Tequila Ancho, Ore, Mariasi, Socha.