Armagnac and Cognac Flashcards
The home of Armagnac, 100 miles south of Bordeaux
Gascony
3 subdistricts of Armagnac
Bas Armagnac
Armagnac Tenareze
Haut Armagnac
The most prestigous and productive subregion for Armagnac
Bas Armagnac
Armagnac vs Cognac general style
Armagnac more rustic, robust, fragrant, full bodied
Legal exception made in 2005
Hybids are banned for AOC usage - Baco Blanc grape is allowed for Armagnac production
distillation difference cognac vs armagnac
cognac - double distilled in a pot still
armagnac - continuous still
grape differences cognac vs armagnac
cognac - majority ugni blanc
armagnac - ungi blanc only about half
classifications for armagnac
vs (very superior) or *** 1-3 years
vsop (very superior old pale) 4-9 years
napoleon 6-9 years
XO (xtra old) and hors d’age 10-19 ys
xo premium 20+ years
vintage
napoleon armagnac is aged for how long?
6-9 years
How many crus of Cognac are there?
6
the 3 most important crus of Cognac
Grand Champagne
Petite Champagne
Borderies
What does “champagne” refer to on a bottle of Cognac?
One of the crus - zero relation to the region Champagne. originates from a latin term meaning “open fields”
these four Cognac firms account for 80% of sales
Remy Martin
Hennesy
Courvoisier
Martell
What do aging designations in both Armagnac and Cognac indicate?
the age of the youngest eaux-de-vie used in the blend
Cognac aging terms
VS or *** 2 years
VSOP 4 years
Napoleon 6 years
XO or hors d’age 10 years
XXO (xtra xtra old) 14 years
Vintage
