SPIRITS: Armagnac Flashcards
Armagnac subzones (3)
- most planted?
- favored subzone?
Bas-Armagnac: the most planted and the premier zone. Main soil type is sand, preferred for Armagnac production. Produce high acidity, low sugar base wines
[elegant and balanced. Fruity, floral, lightly tannic, slightly sweet]
Ténarèze: boulbenes and clay/limestone. Slightly cooler dirt - less frost susceptibility and more water retention.
[Full-bodied, powerful and intense. Very ageable]
Haut-Armagnac: very few plantings. Flat limestone soils are preferred for other crops. High sugar, low acid base wine. [Fresh, youthful, not complex eau-de-vie]
[Bas-Armagnac with about 3550ha
(vs Tenareze’s 1695 and Haut’s 58ha)]
Armagnac Grapes
- main 4
- most planted?
Main 4:
1. Ugni Blanc (75% of plantings)
2. Colombard
3. Folle Blanche (locally called Picpoul; was most planted pre-Phylloxera)
4. Baco Blanc (Noah x Folle Blanche - hybrid)
[Unlike Cognac, Armagnac is more commonly a blend]
[Baco Blanc, Blanc Dame, Colombard, Folle Blanche, Graisse, Jurançon Blanc, Mauzac, Mauzac Rosé, Meslier Saint-François, Ugni Blanc]
Armagnac Distillation
- allowed methods + ABV
- main method?
- max ABV
- Double distilliation in pot still: 65% to 72%
[more refined/delicate flavors] - Single distillation in continuous: 52% to 72%
[keeps heads/tails which lend complexity, more flavor, and some rusticity]
MAX AVG ABV of distillate: 72% (Cognac is 73.7%)
95% of Armagnac is made in a continuous still aka “Alembic Armagnacais”.
Still wines made in the Armagnac area could be released as what designations?
Cotes de Gascogne IGP
Floc de Gascogne PDO
Armagnac Oak
- sizes
- type
SIZE: 400 to 420L
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]
What is the minimum aging period for Armagnac?
Min. 1 year in oak from April 1 after harvest
[Cognac is min. 2 years from April 1]
How old is an Armagnac labelled ***/VS?
1-3 years
(*Cognac/Calvados is min. 2yrs)
What is the average yield per hectare in Armagnac? What is the maximum amount of it that is allowed to be distilled?
100 - 120hl/ha total yield
Max 90hl/ha may be distilled
What is Armagnac’s favored soil type?
Sand
(unlike Cognac where sand is shit)
Cognac or Armagnac: which would typically have a higher ABV in the finished product?
Cognac is usually reduced to 40% ABV
Armagnac is higher at 46 to 48% (often)
For context: what is Armagnac’s top export markets? Cognac?
Which has a higher rate of consumption in France vs. export?
Armagnac: China, USA, UK, Russia, Germany, Spain
Cognac: USA, China, Singapore, UK, Latvia, South Africa
Cognac exports 98% and drinks just 2%
Armagnac exports 55% of product and France consumes 45%
For context: how do Cognac and Armagnac compare in size?
Armagnac = 15,000ha
Cognac = 83,100ha
(217 million bottles vs. 6 million bottles in 2019)
Compare and contrast the flavor profile of Cognac vs. Armagnac?
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.
What additives are allowed for Armagnac?
- Sugar - up to 2% of content. Sweetens and rounds the edges.
- Oak chips/Boisé: boisé is made by boiling oak chips then reducing the liquid. Lends tannin/wood character that mimics aging.
- Water: Alcohol adjustment
- Caramel: adjusts color
What is boisé?
substance created by boiling oak chips to create a syrup for use in Armagnac and Cognac?
Floc de Gascogne
- styles
- grapes
- fortification
Vin de Liqueur // Mistelle
ABV: 16 - 18%
GRAPES
Blanc: min. 2 varieties.. Colombard, Gros Manseng, Ugni Blanc
Rosé: varietal (not Tannat) or blends. CF, CS, Merlot, Malbec, Fer, Tannat
* fortified with Armagnac
What is Blanche Armagnac?
AC debuted in 2005 - a clear, fruity, fresh and floral Armagnac aged in inert containers for at least 3 months
What is that squat, round traditional Armagnac bottle size called?
Basquaise Flacon
Armagnac bottle shape traditionally used - squat, round, space intensive.
Cognacaise shape is more modernly used
