Steve Leblon
05-08-2008, 01:10 PM
Hi everyone, my name is Steve Luttmann from Leblon Cachaзa (http://www.liveloveleblon.com).
I know many of you may question, 'is Cachaзa a Rum?' having heard many passionate arguments on both sides, my answer tends to be 'yes' and 'no.' not necessarily to dodge the question, but I think that is the reality: the answer is somewhere in the middle (like anything):
- technically using the US regs definition, Cachaзa is a rum since it is a derivative of sugar cane. 'brazilian rum' is required on the label.
- however, Cachaзa's historical roots are completely separate from the English (and French) colonial roots of rum in the Caribbean: Cachaзa is a definitive Brazilian invention (initially from the slaves boiling sugar hundreds of years ago...), and has a legislated definition under Brazilian law (made from fresh cane, distilled b/w 38 and 54 abv, produto do brasil...)
Currently the Brazilian government has petitioned the US/TTB to recognize Cachaзa as an appellation, in much the way Cognac, Tequila, and Champagne are legally defined within the Brandy, Mezcal, and Sparkling Wine categories.
in any case, Cachaзa is an exciting new world for people discover, and although it has sensorial differences than rum, rum lovers tend to enjoy cachaзa (especially those that like tequilas as well, which i do as well).
also want to mention that this site is really put together very very well - very inspiring out there for all of us who have sites or visit a lot of sites. Really easy to figure out and use.
Steve
I know many of you may question, 'is Cachaзa a Rum?' having heard many passionate arguments on both sides, my answer tends to be 'yes' and 'no.' not necessarily to dodge the question, but I think that is the reality: the answer is somewhere in the middle (like anything):
- technically using the US regs definition, Cachaзa is a rum since it is a derivative of sugar cane. 'brazilian rum' is required on the label.
- however, Cachaзa's historical roots are completely separate from the English (and French) colonial roots of rum in the Caribbean: Cachaзa is a definitive Brazilian invention (initially from the slaves boiling sugar hundreds of years ago...), and has a legislated definition under Brazilian law (made from fresh cane, distilled b/w 38 and 54 abv, produto do brasil...)
Currently the Brazilian government has petitioned the US/TTB to recognize Cachaзa as an appellation, in much the way Cognac, Tequila, and Champagne are legally defined within the Brandy, Mezcal, and Sparkling Wine categories.
in any case, Cachaзa is an exciting new world for people discover, and although it has sensorial differences than rum, rum lovers tend to enjoy cachaзa (especially those that like tequilas as well, which i do as well).
also want to mention that this site is really put together very very well - very inspiring out there for all of us who have sites or visit a lot of sites. Really easy to figure out and use.
Steve