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Continuing Studies > Spirits: Armagnac > Flashcards

Spirits: Armagnac Flashcards

1
Q

Still wines made in the Armagnac area could be released as what designations?

A

Cotes de Gascogne IGP
Floc de Gascogne PDO

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2
Q

What type of distillation methods are allowed for Armagnac?

A

Pot still/double distillation AND a single continuous distillation are both allowed.

95% of Armagnac is made in a continuous still “Alembic Armagnacais”

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3
Q

What is the allowable ABV range for the final distillate in the production of Armagnac?

A

Pot still: 65% to 72%
Continous: 52% to 72%

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4
Q

What is the maximum ABV allowed for the final Armagnac distillate?

A

72% for both continuous and pot still

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5
Q

How does the distillation of Armagnac in a continuous still differ from a pot still?

A

Continuous still: keeps heads/tails which lend complexity, more flavor, and some rusticity. Finished ABV has a wider allowable range… 52-72%

Pot still: more refined/delicate flavors. 65-72% allowable ABV in final distillate

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6
Q

What is the allowed size of barrels used for aging Armagnac?

A

400 to 420L

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7
Q

What is the minimum aging period for Armagnac?

A

Min. 1 year in oak (from April 1 after harvest)

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8
Q

How old is an Armagnac labelled ***/VS?

A

1-3 years

(*Cognac/Calvados is min. 2yrs)

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9
Q

How old is an Armagnac labelled VSOP/Napoleon?

A

min. 4 years

(*Cognac VSOP = 4yrs, Napoleon = 6yrs)
(**Calvados VSOP = same as Cognac)

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10
Q

How old is an Armagnac labelled XO?

A

Min. 10 yrs
(*Cognac is also min. 10yrs)
(**Calvados is min. 6yrs)

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11
Q

How old is an Armagnac labelled Hors d’Age?

A

Min. 10 yrs

(*Cognac is also min. 10yrs)
(**Calvados is min. 6yrs)

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12
Q

What labelling term would indicate the min. age of an Armagnac is 20 years?

A

XO Premium

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13
Q

What would the term XO Premium indicate on a bottle of Armagnac?

A

Min. 20 yrs old for the youngest Armagnac in the blend

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14
Q

What is the minimum aging requirement for a vintage dated Armagnac?

A

Min. 10yrs in oak

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15
Q

What are Armagnac’s 3 sub-regions?

A

Bas-Armagnac: the most planted and the premier zone. Main soil type is sand, preferred for Armagnac production

Ténarèze: boulbenes and clay/limestone. Fuller-bodied, more powerful eau-de-vie style

Haut-Armagnac: very few plantings. Flat limestone soils are preferred for other crops

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16
Q

What is the most planted of Armagnac’s subregions?

A

Bas-Armagnac with about 3550ha
(vs Tenareze’s 1695 and Haut’s 58ha)

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17
Q

Which of Armagnac’s sub-regions is the least planted?

A

Haut-Armagnac - the flat limestone land is preferred for other crops like corn, wheat, etc

18
Q

Armagnac’s climate & biggest climatic threats?

A

Atlantic influence brings cool winds, and moderation.
Mediterranean brings hot air.
Frost is a threat - especially with Bas-Armagnac’s sandy soils. Traces of clay in Tenareze help prevent frost. Late summer hail is a challenge.

19
Q

Explain Armagnac’s soils by subregion and how they affect the style of eau-de-vie produced.

A

Bas-Armagnac features sandy, highly acidic soils and iron-rich sand that produce high acidity, low sugar base wines
[elegant and balanced. Fruity, floral, lightly tannic, slightly sweet]

Tenareze: boulbenes (small pieces of limestone) and terreforts (clay/limestone). Slightly cooler dirt - less frost susceptibility and more water retention.
[Full-bodied, powerful and intense. Very ageable]

Haut-Armangac: flat, nutrient-rich and limestoney. High sugar, low acid base wine. [Fresh, youthful, not complex eau-de-vie]

20
Q

4 main Armagnac grapes

A

Ugni Blanc
Folle Blanche (known locally as Picpoul)
Colombard
Baco Blanc (Noah x Folle Blanche hybrid)

21
Q

What is the most planted grape in Armagnac?

A

Ugni Blanc with 75% of plantings

22
Q

What is Baco Blanc a crossing of?

A

Noah x Folle Blanche

23
Q

Folle Blanche’s local name in Armagnac is?

A

Picpoul

24
Q

Armagnac’s Picpoul is also known as?

A

Folle Blanche

25
Q

What was Armagnac’s most planted grape prior to Phylloxera?

A

Folle Blanche

26
Q

What is the average yield per hectare in Armagnac? What is the maximum amount of it that is allowed to be distilled?

A

100 - 120hl/ha total yield
Max 90hl/ha may be distilled

27
Q

Name 3 of Armagnac’s “lesser used” varieties?

A

Plant de Graisse
Meslier Saint François
Clairette de Gascogne
Jurançon Blanc
Mauzac Blanc
Mauzac Rosé

[main 4: Ugni Blanc
Folle Blanche (known locally as Picpoul)
Colombard
Baco Blanc (Noah x Folle Blanche hybrid)]

28
Q

What is Armagnac’s favored soil type?

A

Sand
(unlike Cognac where sand is shit)

29
Q

Cognac or Armagnac: which would typically have a higher ABV in the finished product?

A

Cognac is usually reduced to 40% ABV
Armagnac is higher at 46 to 48% (often)

30
Q

Cognac or Armagnac: which has a higher rate of consumption in France vs. export?

A

Cognac exports 98% and drinks just 2%

Armagnac exports 55% of product and France consumes 45%

31
Q

For context: what is Armagnac’s top export markets?

A

Armagnac: China, USA, UK, Russia, Germany, Spain

Cognac: USA, China, Singapore, UK, Latvia, South Africa

32
Q

For context: how do Cognac and Armagnac compare in size?

A

Armagnac = 15,000ha
Cognac = 83,100ha

(217 million bottles vs. 6 million bottles in 2019)

33
Q

Compare and contrast the flavor profile of Cognac vs. Armagnac?

A

Cognac is typically more floral, subtle and lighter in fruit character. More spice and herb from oak interaction.

Armagnac’s ABV is higher, lending more smoke and earth. Oak interaction yields more caramel, pepper, toffee. Fruit tones are more apricot, plum, orange. Texture is broader and often more rustic.

34
Q

What types of oak are allowed for aging Armagnac? Which type is most commonly used?

A

Limousin is the most common, but any type of oak is allowed. Contrary to Cognac which only allows Limousin and Troncais.

*Gascon oak (white oak nicknamed black oak) was historically used but few plantings remain in the Monlezun and Monguilhem forests in the heart of the region

35
Q

What additives are allowed for Armagnac?

A

Sugar - up to 2% of content. Sweetens and rounds the edges.

  1. Oak chips/Boisé: boisé is made by boiling oak chips then reducing the liquid. Lends tannin/wood character that mimics aging.
  2. Water: Alcohol adjustment
  3. Caramel: adjusts color
36
Q

What the name of the substance created by boiling oak chips to create a syrup for use in Armagnac and Cognac?

A

Boisé

37
Q

Floc de Gascogne
- styles
- grapes
- fortification

A

Vin de Liqueur
Blanc: min. 2 varieties.. Colombard, Gros Manseng, Ugni Blanc
Rosé: varietal (not Tannat) or blends. CF, CS, Merlot, Malbec, Fer, Tannat
* fortified with Armagnac

38
Q

What is the allowable ABV range for Floc de Gascogne?

A

16 to 18%

39
Q

What is Blanche Armagnac?

A

AC debuted in 2005 - a clear, fruity, fresh and floral Armagnac aged in inert containers for at least 3 months

40
Q

What is that squat, round traditional Armagnac bottle size called?

A

Basquaise Flacon

41
Q

What is a Basquaise Flacon?

A

Armagnac bottle shape traditionally used - squat, round, space intensive.

Cognacaise shape is more modernly used

42
Q
A

Continuing Studies (80 decks)

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