Definition: Wine brandy

This designation is reserved for spirits produced exclusively from the distillation of wine. In France, only two regions benefit from the AOC designation: Cognac and Armagnac. Other wine-producing regions are entitled to a regulated designation of origin.

Swiss regulations cover grape marc spirits, marc and grappa.

1 Grape marc spirit (marc) is a spirit drink made from fermented grape marc, by steam distillation or distillation, with the possible addition of water or lees. The distillate must be distilled to less than 86% alcohol by volume. Redistillation to the same alcohol content is permitted.

2 Grape marc spirit must have a volatile substance content of at least 1.4 g per litre of pure alcohol.

3 The quantity of lees added may not exceed 25 kg per 100 kg of grape must. The quantity of alcohol derived from the lees may not exceed 35% of the total alcohol content of the finished product.

4 Grappa is a grape marc spirit produced in Italy, Switzerland, the canton of Ticino, Val Calanca, Val Bregaglia, Val Mesolcina or Valle di Poschiavo from grapes grown in the regions concerned. These different types of grappa have the following names: grappa del Ticino, grappa Ticinese, grappa della Val Bregaglia, grappa della Val Calanca, grappa della Val Mesolcina and grappa della Valposchiavo.

Waste disposal is now subject to stricter requirements than before. The contents of the still can no longer be poured directly onto fields or into drains. Acidic sludge must no longer be sent to the sewage treatment plant. In general, the sludge is stored in a pit where it is neutralised with lime or caustic soda. After a certain period of time, the purified sludge can be spread on fields.