Miscellaneous Wines and Spirits
Liqueurs are made from infusing spirits with fruit, nuts, cream or herbs and can
be said to have descended from 13th century herbal remedies such as Chartreuse.
The name liqueur comes from the Latin word liquifacere (to liquefy). There
are several different types Berry (Chambios), Coffee (Tia Maria, Kahlua), Cream
(Baileys, Advocaat), Fruit (Cointrau) are among the most popular.
Spirts are produced by the distillation of either grains, fruit or vegetables that
have already been through the fermentation process. The result is a spirit that
is high in alcohol. It was not until the early 15th century that distillers began
to use rye, wheat and barley rather than the more expensive grapes that the populartity
of spirits gave rise to the traditional association of a spirit with a nationality.
For example: England - Gin; Germany – Schnapps; Italy - Grappa; and Russia – Vodka.
Both spirits and liqueurs can be consumed either individually, with an accompaniment
or together with all elements combined in a cocktail.
Specialists
 | Brian Goodison-Blanks
Joint Department Head
|  | Martin McIlroy
Joint Department Head
|