ARMAGNAC Flashcards
Where is Armagnac located?
Southeast of bordeaux
What are the 3 regions of production in Armagnac?
- Haut-Armagnac
- Bas-Armagnac
- Armagnac-Ténarèze.
What are the primary grapes in Armagnac production?
- Ugni Blanc
- Colombard
- Folle Blanche (Picpoul)
- Baco Blanc (the only hybrid grape authorized in any French AOC/P appellation). Unlike Cognac, Armagnac is more frequently produced from a blend of varieties than a single grape
What is the only hybrid grape authorized in any French AOC/P appellation?
Baco Blanc
In general is Armagnac more frequently produced from a blend of grapes or a single grape?
blend of varieties
Approximately 85% of brandy from Armagnac undergoes how many distillations in what kind of still?
one distillation in a copper continuous still. Armagnac may be distilled twice in a Charentais pot still, but approximately 95% of brandy from this region undergoes only one distillation in a copper continuous still. The continuous still used in Armagnac is a simpler version, predating Aeneas Coffey’s 1831 model
The single distillation in a copper continuous still used in armagnac productuion produces what kind of alcoholic spirit?
Produces a more flavorful, less pure, and less alcoholic spirit than double distillation in a pot still.
What is Armagnac aged in?
The young Armagnac is aged in oak casks until it reaches its desired state, or bottled after 3 months in an inert container as Blanche Armagnac AOC, a clear spirit that achieved appellation status in 2005.
In the past, what did VS, VSOP, and XO indicate in Armagnac? and when did this change?
In the past, VS indicated that the youngest eau de vie in the blend was aged for at least 2 years in wood, VSOP indicated at least 5 years, and XO promised at least 6 years of oak aging prior to release. New labeling went into affect in 2013
Who oversees production in Armagnac?
However, the Bureau National Interprofessionel de l’Armagnac (BNIA),
What does VS or *** indicate in the Armagnac grading system?
VS or *** indicates that the spirit rested in barrel for between 1 and 3 years,
What does XO indicate in the Armagnac grading system?
XO or Hors d’Age denotes spirits that spend at least 10 years in barrel
What does VSOP indicate in the Armagnac grading system?
VSOP signifies 4 to 9 years of age
As in Cognac, the cellarmaster will blend a number of _____________ in order to achieve a desired style that remains consistent throughout the years.
barrel selections (coupage)
What is added to the blend of Armagnac prior to bottling and why?
A mixture of distilled water and Armagnac (petites eaux) is added to the blend prior to bottling, to achieve the appropriate strength of spirit—a minimum 40% abv.
