Aging & Maturation

How long must Weinbrand age in the cask? Under EU law, at least one year in oak vessels of 1,000 liters or more, or at least six months in smaller oak casks. That's considerably less than Cognac, which must spend at least two years in oak. Even under the name "Deutscher Weinbrand," nothing may be bottled below these minimum periods.

The brandy changes in the wood. It picks up vanilla, toasted notes, and spice, turns amber in color, and sharp edges soften. A small portion evaporates through the wood — known in the trade as the angels' share.

The color may be adjusted with caramel coloring, so that every bottling looks consistent. Up to 35 grams of sugar per liter are permitted to round out the flavor. Added flavoring or foreign alcohol, however, are forbidden.

Age statements on the label may only refer to the youngest component of the blend, since any blend is made up of many casks. "Asbach Uralt" is a brand name, registered since 1908. The word therefore says something about the house style, not about a minimum age in years.

For Cognac, the age categories are precisely defined. VS requires at least two years, VSOP at least four, and since April 1, 2018, XO requires a minimum age of ten years — previously it was six. This is the quickest way to explain the difference between Cognac and Weinbrand in terms of aging: Weinbrand only needs to meet the EU minimum, while Cognac's rules only begin at two years.