ARMAGNAC (DRINK)

'Armagnac' (IPA [aʁmaɲak]) is a distinctive kind of brandy or ''eau de vie'', made of mainly the same grapes as cognac and undergoing the same aging in oak barrels, but mainly with column still distillation (cognac and part of armagnac is distilled in pot stills). Armagnac production is overseen by INAO and the Bureau National Interprofessionel de l'Armagnac (BNIA).
Along with cognac in Cognac, France and sherry in Jerez, Spain, it is one of only three officially demarcated brandy regions in Europe.
Armagnac is one of two rivals for cognac wine recognition as the finest producer of eau de vie (brandy) in the world. Its name comes from the Armagnac region of France where it originates.
Calvados is another brandy from apples made in France is from the Basse-Normandie or Lower Normandy region.
Its quantity of production is significantly lower than that of the Cognac region; for every six bottles of Armagnac sold around the world there are one hundred bottles of cognac sold.
Armagnac has been making brandy for around 200 years longer than Cognac.

Contents

Geography

Production

Grapes

Producers

Health benefits

External links

References

Geography

The Armagnac region lies between the Adour and Garonne rivers in the foothills of the Pyrenees. A part of this historical region is permitted to grow the grapes that are used in the manufacture of brandy that may be labelled with the Armagnac name. This area was officially demarcated when Armagnac was granted AOC status in 1936.
The official production area is divided into three districts which lie in the departements of Gers, Landes and Lot-et-Garonne. The May 25th 1909 Falliere’s decree describes 3 types of soils, these are:

★ Bas Armagnac - the most famous area of production. with its capital city Eauze, extends over the Landes and Gers departments, and represents 57% of the vineyards. This sandy and silty soil produces fruity, light, delicate and highly praised eau-de-vie.

★ Tenarèze - around the small town of Condom, covers the north-west of the Gers and the south of the Lot-et-Garonne area. It represents about 40% of the vineyards planted for distillation. The clay and limestone soils produce rich and full-bodied spirits which reach maturity after a long period of ageing.

★ Haut Armagnac - called “white” Armagnac because of the abundance of limestone, includes the east of Gers and a small part of the Lot-et-Garonne area. Viticulture was developed here in the 19th century to face a high market demand. Today, this vineyard still exists but only represents a small amount of the production.
Each of these areas is controlled by separate appellation regulations. Although the term "bas" means lower in French, the best armagnacs are principally produced in Bas Armagnac.

Production

The region contains 40,000 acres (160 km²) of grape-producing vines.
The production of Armagnac differs in several ways from that of cognac and it is the oldest ''eau de vie'' dating back to the 12th century.
Armagnac is mainly distilled once and at a lower % of alcohol than cognac, meaning that the former retains more of the fruit character, whereas Cognac's second distillation results in a lower balance. Part of the production is also distilled twice. Armagnacs are aged for nearly the same period as cognac, which has a significant impact on the grape once it has been distilled. Armagnac is mainly aged in local oak casks giving them nice and delicate colour, as well as an intricate flavour more complex than that of cognac.
Armagnac ages in oak barrels which give it its complex flavour and colour. Armagnac exists in several ages: the minimum for bottles is 2 years. In the case of assemblies, the age on the bottle refers to the youngest component. An "XXX" or "VS" armagnac is a mix of several armagnacs of at least 2 years of ageing in wood. For the VSOP, the ageing is at least 5 years, and for XO, at least 6. Richer and more interesting flavours appear from 15 or 20 years of aging, or more. Elder and better armagnacs are dated ('vintages') ; these bottles contain armagnac from one single year.
Ageing in the barrel removes a part of the alcohol by evaporation (known as "''part des anges''", "angel's tribute" or "angel's share") and allows more complex aromatic compounds to appear by oxidation, which further improves the flavour. When the alcohol part reaches 40% or more, the armagnac is kept in large glass bottles, called ''Dame Jeanne'', for storage. From then on, the armagnac does not age, and can be bottled for sale from the next year on.
As any ''eau de vie'', armagnac is stored vertically to avoid damaging the stopper with alcohol. Once opened, a bottle of armagnac stays drinkable for years.
Aging Requirements for Armagnac are:

★ 'VS' ''[Very Special]'' " XXX "- at least 2 years old

★ 'VSOP' ''[Very Superior Old Pale]'' or 'Réserve' - at least 5 years old

★ 'XO', 'Napoléon', 'Extra', 'Vieille Réserve' - at least 6 years old.

★ 'Hors d'age' - at least 10 years old

Grapes

Ten different varieties of grape are authorised for use in the production of Armagnac. Of these, four form the principal part:

★ Ugni Blanc

★ Baco 22A

★ Folle Blanche

★ Colombard
The remaining varieties include Jurançon and Picquepoul.

Producers

The main producers of Armagnac are:

★ La Martiniquaise

★ Cave des producteurs Réunis

★ Sempé/Chabot

★ Clés Des Ducs

★ Janneau

★ Larressingle

★ Laubade

★ Samalens

★ Delord

★ Laberdolive

★ Gelas

★ Armagnac Baron de Sigognac

★ Marquis de Caussade

★ Domaine de Pellehaut

★ Ryst-Dupeyron

★ Marcel Trépout (Marques & Domaines de Gascogne)

★ Chateau Laballe

★ [1]Domaine d'Esperance

★ Château de Briat

★ Château Lacquy

★ Darroze

★ Domaine de Bordeneuve

★ De Montal

★ Cerbois

Health benefits

Research has suggested that Armagnac has health enhancing qualities.^[1]
Research has shown that it can help prevent heart disease and serve to obviate obesity. Scientists at Bordeaux University have concluded that a moderate daily dose of Armagnac could lengthen one's life. For example, those living in Gascony, the area of France wherein Armagnac is made, tend to live around five years longer than the average in France. Some speculate that Armagnac's health benefits relate to its unique distillation process and aging. Experiments have suggested that a modest dose of Armagnac each day could also reduce the likelihood of heart disease. The south western area of France where Armagnac is produced has some of the lowest cardio vascular disease rates in the world. It has to be taken in moderation, though. The best amount seems to be three centilitres a day--greater amounts being potentially unhealthful. Researchers have concluded that Armagnac's health benefits are unrelated to its alcohol content.
In the 14th century, the benefits of Armagnac were written down and in 1313 Prior Vital Dufor, a Cardinal, claimed it had 40 virtues. A translation stated: ''"It makes disappear redness and burning of the eyes, and stops them from tearing; it cures hepatitis, sober consumption adhering. It cures gout, cankers and fistula by ingestion, restores the paralysed member by massage and heals wounds of the skin by application. It enlivens the spirit, partaken in moderation, recalls the past to memory, renders men joyous, preserves youth and retards senility. And when retained in the mouth, it loosens the tongue and emboldens the wit, if someone timid from time to time himself permits." ''

External links

★ BNIA Armagnac official website

References

1. Daily Mail 11 May 2007 - Brandy can ward off heart attacks