Cachaça Unveiled: Understanding the Spirit Through a Legislative Lens
Annelize SteensmaCachaça is a distilled spirit made from fermented sugarcane juice, produced exclusively in Brazil. Its name is legally protected, ensuring that no other country can use the term for a spirit made in the same manner.
Cachaça is classified based on three key aspects of its production: the distillation process, the ageing process, and the sugar content. It is bottled at an alcoholic strength between 38% and 48% ABV and retains the characteristic aromas of the raw material.
The table below provides an in-depth explanation of these classifications:
|
Classification |
Name |
Description |
|
Distillation process followed |
Cachaça de alambique |
Produced exclusively using a batch-operated alembic copper pot still. |
|
Cachaça |
Produced using other types of stills, such as plate column stills or a combination of different stills. |
|
|
Ageing process |
Cachaça envelhecida (aged) |
At least 50% of the volume is aged in wooden barrels (maximum 700L capacity) for a minimum of one year. |
|
Cachaça Premium |
100% of the volume is aged in wooden barrels for at least one year. |
|
|
Cachaça Extra Premium |
100% of the volume is aged in wooden barrels for at least three years. |
|
|
Sugar Content |
Cachaça adoçada |
Contains added sugar with a concentration higher than 6g/L but less than 30g/L of the final volume. |
|
Cachaça |
Contains added sugar in concentrations equal to or less than 6g/L. |
Understanding the Label
Specific technical regulations govern the labelling and packaging of alcoholic beverages. These regulations ensure transparency for consumers regarding the production process of each bottle of Cachaça.
For Cachaça, the label must include the following details in a specific order:
1) Distillation Process:
- If a batch-operated copper alembic pot still was used, the term "alambique" may be displayed on the label.
- If any other still type is used, no reference to the still type will appear on the label.
2) Maturation Process:
- The terms Envelhecida, Premium, and Extra Premium can be used based on the volume of spirits aged in wooden barrels and the ageing duration (refer to the table above).
- The specific number of years the spirits were aged may be indicated in the case of premium and extra premium Cachaça.
- The type of wood or oak from which the barrels were made must also be specified
3) Sugar Content:
- If the Cachaça contains more than 6g/L of sugar, the term "adoçada" must be present on the label.
Label Example
The following is an example of a label for an Extra Premium Cachaça, distilled using a copper pot still, aged for at least four years in American oak barrels, with a sugar content of less than 6g/L.
This refined classification system ensures clarity for consumers and preserves the authenticity of Brazil's signature spirit.