Corsican Citron Brandy | Brana
The Corsican CitronBrandy is one of the most unique creations from Maison Brana, a family-owned distillery based in Ossès, in the Basque Country. It embodies Martine Brana’s desire to expand the house’s aromatic horizons beyond traditional fruits. When it was launched in 2017, only 722 50-cl bottles were produced. This deliberate rarity reflects the island identity so dear to this family-run distillery.
The citron selected here is Citrus medica var. Corsican, a cultivar that has historically been predominant in Corsica. It has a notable characteristic: its pulp is naturally sweet, almost entirely free of acid, which sets it apart from all other citrons grown on an industrial scale. In the 19th century, this citrus fruit was the island’s primary citrus crop. Brana is reviving this heritage.
Terroir and Fruit
The citrons come from small Corsican orchards managed using organic farming methods. This cultivation method preserves the fruit’s aromatic integrity, free from synthetic residues that could alter the distillation process. The size of the plots requires a completely manual harvest, fruit by fruit, directly from the tree. Nothing is picked before it is fully ripe. This meticulous approach is no mere formality: it is what determines the concentration and freshness of the final product.
Winemaking and Distillation
After harvesting, the citrons are transported by refrigerated truck to the distillery in Ossès. The cold preserves the most volatile aromatic compounds, which would otherwise disappear within a few hours at room temperature. The fruit is then cut by hand and left to macerate. Regular tastings of the macerating fruit help determine the optimal time for distillation: neither too early nor too late. Distillation takes place in copper pot stills, a process that refines and concentrates the aromas without damaging them. The development of the esters is then monitored until optimal maturity is reached before bottling. Ageing takes place in stainless steel tanks to preserve the fruit’s full purity.
Corsican Citron Brandy | Brana: The Sommelier’s Review
Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin
What strikes you right away is the coherence of the project: Brana does not seek to imitate a grappa or a marc. The distillery distills the whole fruit, in all its botanical uniqueness. The Corsican citron, with its sweet pulp and thick skin rich in essential oils, is an ideal ingredient for distillation. The combination of the technical precision of the pot still and the quality of the organic fruit produces a brandy of a rare aromatic purity in this category. I serve it well chilled, between 5 and 6°C, as a digestif or an aperitif. It also pairs remarkably well with a chocolate dessert or a lemon roll.
The Nose
The nose opens with fresh citron zest, crisp and precise. This is followed by light, almost delicate floral notes. A pastry-like base emerges, evoking warm brioche or vanilla sugar. The overall impression remains wonderfully fresh, without any heaviness.
Palate
On the palate, the attack is dense and smooth, carried by a lovely freshness that lightens the body. The texture is enveloping without being heavy. The fruit unfolds with fullness, true to the nose. The finish is very long and elegant, with notes of zest and flowers.
Contact
en / €
.svg)
.svg)
