Principal Grape Varieties

Folle Blanche - high-pitched floral notes

Ugni Blanc - floral aromatics & spice

Colombard - herbal & grassy notes

Bacco 22a - full-bodied & plum notes

GRAPE VARIETIES IN ARMAGNAC

The Appellation Contrôlée approves ten grape varieties, however Armagnac is made by distilling white wine vinified mainly from the following grapes:

Folle Blanche which is a low yielding variety, prone to mildew and rot and today comprises less than 3% of total vineyard plantings.

Ugni Blanc that has largely replaced Folle Blanche and now is over 75% of plantings, comprising about 55% of the grapes used in Armagnac production.

Colombard which is not especially favoured for production of Armagnac and only 10% of production is distilled for Armagnac.

Bacco 22a, a hybrid, that is being phased out and while it represents 40% of the vines planted in the region, but only 10% is distilled.

FACTS ON GRAPE GROWING & WINE-MAKING in ARMAGNAC

Size of the vineyards: 3,700 hectares out of available 14,000 hectares (38,000 acres)

Production volume: 19,002 hectolitres TOTAL SPIRIT(2007) 6 million bottles

Grapes: Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Folle Blanche, Bacco 22a

Vineyards:1,000 stockholders, 50 negociants, 9 co-operatives, 300 producers selling in bottles

Soil: Soils vary from sandy and silty soil (Bas-Armagnac), to clay/limestone (Armagnac-Tenarèze), limestone (Haut-Armagnac).

Weather: Mild winters and sunny summers and autumns, summer has average temperatures froom 22 to 30 degrees C.

THE ARMAGNAC RANGE Aragnac is produced in different styles determined by a number of factors. The selection of grapes both in respect of the variety and the quality, barrel selction, the cellar treatment and length of cellaring.

Armagnac Armagnac is usually between 4 and 40 years old, however at 15 to 25 years old it is considered to exhibit the largest range of character. classified similarly to Cognac by age. Eau de Vie blanche The Eau de Vie blanche ( a white spirit) that has not been barrel aged and is usually cut top 40% alcohol. Marketed as an alternative to Vodka for cocktails and mixed drinks. It can be served between courses of meal, (to refresh the palate) or with smoked salmon, foie gras or charcuteries. Floc de Gascogne Floc de Gascogne is made from grape juice and Armagnac (16% alc). The white or rosé fortified wine finds its place as an aperitif, with melon, foie gras, cheese or with a dessert. Pousse Rapière Pousse Rapière can be drunk as aperitif or cocktail, and is a mixture of sparkling wine and armagnac, somewhat inspired by the legend of the Three Musketeers. Home           Wine Tours          Cuisine           French Cookery         About Us           Regions          Accommodation          Driving in France          Contact Us