What defines a brandy?

The definition of brandy centers around its primary ingredient, which is fruit. Specifically, brandy is a spirit that is distilled from fermented fruit juices, most commonly grapes. This process often involves fermentation of the fruit to produce wine, which is then distilled to create the brandy. This characteristic is what distinctly sets brandy apart from other spirits, as each type of spirit is defined by its base ingredient.

In contrast, options referring to vegetables, grain, or sugarcane describe spirits like vodka or rum, which have different production processes and ingredient profiles. Vodka is typically made from grains or potatoes, while rum is distilled from sugarcane or molasses. Thus, recognizing that brandy originates specifically from fruit underlines its unique identity within the wide array of spirits.