Cognac & Armagnac Flashcards
What characteristics differentiate Armagnac from Cognac?
Sometimes described as more rustic; fuller aroma and flavor, rounder texture. It also ages more quickly
What are the 3 sub-regions of Armagnac, and how are they defined?
Bas-Armagnac: Most westerly, highest quality, and largest producer
Tenareze: Central growing area. high quantity of chalk, producing round, complex spirits
Haute-Armagnac: Most easterly, least prized, and lightest style.
Name the 4 most important grapes in Armagnac production, as well as what they contribute
Ugni Blanc (Saint-Emilion) - floral character and acidity
Baco Blanc - fruitiness, earthiness, weight
Folle Blanc - subtlety and floral aromas
Colombard - spicy, peppery edge as well as fruitiness and aroma
What is an armagnac still?
An early, small-scale version of a continuous still
At what ABV is Armagnac generally taken off the still, and what do distillers aim for?
52-72%, but they aim for 60%
What type of oak is used for aging Armagnac?
Black oak from the local Monlezun Forest. Usually only for the first year, as the tannin content is quite high
Minimum Aging requirement for Armagnac
1 year in wood
What are the 5 categories of aging for Armagnac?
Blanche d'Armagnac: maximum 3 months in inert containers ***/VS: minimum 1 year in wood (1-3yrs) VSOP: minimum 4 years in wood (4-9yrs) XO: minimum 10 years in wood (10-19yrs) XO Premium: minimum 20 years in wood
Explain the 2 non-age labeling terms for Armagnac
Hors d’Age - “without age” or “age unknown”. This represents the highest-quality armagnacs
Vintage: Produced with the grapes a single year’s harvest and dated with that year. Many vintage armagnacs are aged for 20+ years
What are the two French departments located within the legally-defined Cognac region
Charente & Charente-Maritime
What year was cognac granted its original AOC status?
1936
Name the cognac crus in order of most prestigious to least renowned
- Grande Champagne
- Petite Champagne
- Borderies
- Fins Bois
- Bon Bois
- Bois Ordinaires
When may the term ‘Fine Champagne’ be used?
to indicate a cognac made with a combination of grapes from Petite Champagne and Grande Champagne. 50% must come from Grande Champagne
What differentiates the soil of the Cognac region?
Chalk content
Leading grape variety of the cognac region
Ugni Blanc
What grape varieties make up 90% of the base wine for cognac?
Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, and/or Colombard
Other permitted grape varieties for cognac
Montils, Semillon, Folignan (Folignan limited to a max 10% of all plantings), Jurancon Blanc, Meslier Saint-Francois, Select
Type of still used in the distillation of Cognac
Charentais Still
Term used for the two-stage distillation used in Cognac production
A repasse
Term used for the first stage of Cognac distillation, and the distillate it produces
Premiere chauffe - distillate is 28-32% ABV and known as Brouillis
Term used for the second stage of Cognac distillation, and ABV of the distillate it produces
Bonne Chauffe - 60% ABV
Date by which all Cognac distillation must be completed for the season
March 31st of the year following the harvest
What is the Martell Method?
The lees left over after fermentation are discarded, creating a lighter spirit that matures earlier
What is the Remy Martin Method?
The lees are used to impart a richer character to the spirit and allow for longer aging potential
What type of oak is preferred for aging cognac? Why?
Limousin barrels are preferred, and typical. It is low in harsh tannins, and its porosity allows for slow oxidation of the spirit
Minimum aging time for Cognac
2 years in oak
Name the Cognac labeling terms, including their requirements
***/VS: min 2 yrs
Superieur: min 3 yrs
VSOP: min 4 yrs
VVSOP/Grand Reserve: min 5 yrs
Napoleon: min 6 yrs
Extra: min 6 yrs (same as Napoleon, but marketed as higher in quality)
Vielle Reserve: min 6 years (must match the age of Extra, but is usually much older)
Hors d’Age: min 6 years (must match vielle reserve, but marketed as higher quality)
XO: min 10 years
French governement agency that oversees the production of Cognac
Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC)
What is an ‘Acquit Regional Jaune d’or’?
The ‘golden certificate’. This is issued by the local tax office and must accompany every consignment of Cognac; it warrants that the product has been produced and distilled in Cognac
Where is the Armagnac region located?
It is more landlocked than the Cognac region, located southeast of Bordeaux in the department of Gers
Name and characteristic of a unique topsoil in Bas-Armagnac
Boulbenes - consists of a combination of sand, chalk, clay and stones
Parentage of the Baco Blanc grape
American Noah Grape X Folle Blanche
What are the six “phantom grapes” of Armagnac?
Clairette de Gascogne, Meslier Saint-Francois, Plant de Graisse, Jurancon Blanc, Mauzac Blanc, Mauzac Rose
