Armagnac and Calvados Flashcards
What are the AOPs of Armagnac? (5)
Armagnac AOP
Armagnac-Ténarèze AOP
Bas-Armagnac AOP
Haut Armagnac AOP
Blanche Armagnac AOP
What styles are produced in Armagnac AOP?
VS / ***: 1-3 years old
VSOP / Napoléon: 4-9 yrs
XO / Hors d’Age: > 10 yrs
XO Premium: > 20 yrs
Vintage: > 10yrs, must be date of harvest, not distillation
*Blanche Armagnac is a separate AOP with < 3mos aging
What is the min ABV of Armagnac AOP?
40%
What types of stills are permitted in the production of Armagnac AOP?
Pot Still
Alambic Armagancais (Continuous still that predates Coffey’s version)
What is the primary spoil type of Bas Armagnac?
silicious-clay soils, sand, and boulbènes
What is the primary soil type of Armagnac-Ténarèze?
clay-limestone and boulbènes
What is the primary soil type of Haut Armagnac?
chalk, clay and limestone
What is Production Fermière?
Calvados that was produced on the same estate where the fruit was harvested and fermented
What is Haut Tige?
“High Stem” - Orchard training system where the branches are at least 1.6m (apple) or 1.8m (pear) above the ground
What is En Basse Tige?
“Low Stem” - Orchard trellising system where the branches are lower than 1.6m (apple) or 1.8m (pear) above the ground
What is the minimum planting density for the Calvados AOPs?
“Haut Tige” apple - 250 trees/ha
“Haut Tige” pear - 150 trees/ha
“En Basse Tige” - 1,000 trees/ha
What are the Calvados AOPs?
Calvados AOP
Calvados Domfrontais AOP (min 30% Pear)
Calvados Pays d’Auge AOP (min 30% Pear)
What are the aging requirements for the Calvados AOPs?
Fine / Trois Étoiles / Trois Pommes / VS: min. 2 yrs
Vieux / Réserve: min. 3 yrs
VO / VSOP / Vieille Réserve: min. 4 yrs
Hors d’Age / XO / Très Vieille Réserve / Très Vieux / Extra / Napoléon: min. 6 yrs
*Youngest Calvados in the blend
What is the minimum aging for Fine Calvados?
AKA: Trois Étoiles / Trois Pommes / VS
Min 2 yrs
What is the minimum aging for Vieux Calvados?
AKA: Réserve
Min 3 yrs
