Jewish Dietary Law and Distilled Spirits

Factual Questions
1

I know that there are some restrictions about drinking wine which has been prepared by non-Jews, but I’m not clear on them exactly.

I’m wondering if this prohibition extends to distilled spirits - or are spirits ever kosher? Would they count as “cooked wine”?

(It’s not even Friday night!)

2

Distilled spirits can be kosher. The restriction on wine prepared by non-Jews applies only to wine made from grapes, not to all alcoholic beverages.

3

Would the restrictions on wine prepared by non-Jews apply to brandy as well?

4

I don’t follow those restrictions. I’m Conservative, and we consider all wine to be kosher these days (but you should use kosher-certified wine for kiddush, and for Passover).

This site says brandy and cognac do require kosher certification because they are made from wine.

5

Anne, how come Conservative Jews require hashgaha for kiddush?