All About Spirit Wines

The health benefits of consuming alcohol cannot be ignored. However, not all alcoholic beverages are good for you. Compared with beer and spirits, wine provides more benefits to your health.

Wine has vitamins and minerals. In addition, wine has antioxidants, which makes the blood less likely to clot.

We all know what wine is and where it comes from. But what are spirits? Generally speaking, spirits are extracted or purified alcohol. They are produced through a process called distillation in which heat is applied to a fermented liquid. Once heated, the liquid changes to a gas, and then is squeezed back into liquefied form.

Spirits can be made from any organic material that can be “fermented.” It is possible for a wine could become a spirit by simply increasing the amount of alcohol.

Measurements

Both wines and spirits are distilled from organic substances, which give the drink its alcohol. These beverages are classified by their alcohol content. Most nations that produce and sell spirits use a recognized means of measurement. The most common form of measuring a spirit’s alcohol content is to use ABV (alcohol by volume).

For example, if a spirit has 40 percent alcohol it will be classified as 40 percent ABV. In the US, all alcoholic beverages are classified in accordance to alcohol content by using “proof of scale.” The “proof” of an alcoholic beverage, is simply their ABV doubled. So, if a spirit has a 20% ABV, it is classified as 40 proof.

Classifications

Spirits are generally grouped according to the kind of fermenting material that is used in for distillation.

Below is a short list and brief descriptions of some of the more popular groups of spirits.

1. Brandy

Brandy is a spirit that is produced from “fermented” grape sap. It derives its alcohol content from the distillation of grape juices, often from wines.

2. Gin, Vodka, etc.

These spirits are produced from distilled beers that are made from grains.

3. “Fortified wines”

These are spirits that are made by combining fermented wine and extracted spirits, usually brandy.

These are only a few of the many groups of spirits. And, while different organic materials are used for fermentation, all must be distilled to make alcohol.

Experts have known for some time now that that wine is chock full of vitamins, minerals, and natural sugars that are often good for you. Wine is also a good source of potassium and is low in sodium. Red wines in particular have lots of Vitamin B which comes from the grape skins.