Armagnac... Secrets and recipes

Armagnac...

Secrets and recipes


As promised in our last issue, we complete the article about Armagnac with:
- The grape varieties
- How to read an Armagnac label
- Different ways to enjoy Armagnac

If you missed Part I.

The Grape Varieties (Les cépages)

Of the ten grape varieties (Cepages) authorized in Armagnac production, four in particular are mostly used:

1. UGNI-BLANC is the distillation variety par excellence. It produces acidic wines with low alcohol content which, after distillation, produces fine and high quality eaux-de-vie. The Ugni-blanc is equally adaptable to Bas-Armagnac and Armagnac-Tenarèze.

2. FOLLE BLANCHE is the best known. This is the historic variety which dominated the wine area before its destruction by phylloxera in 1878: it was then called piquepoult or "pinched lips". Folle Blanche produces fine eaux-de-vie, often found in white and young Armagnac.

3. BACO 22A is quite rare, and is a hybrid of Folle Blanche and Noah grapes. Invented by a teacher, Mr. Baco, after the phylloxera epidemic, this grape type has adapted well to the sandy soils of the Bas-Armagnac region. It gives to the eaux-de-vie, a round and suave character, and after a long ageing process, the aromas of ripe fruits.

4. COLUMBUS is very much present in production, Columbus is mostly appreciated in the Vins de Pays des Cotes de Gascogne. The distillation process of this grape variety is a well kept secret. Its fruity and spicy aromas are mostly appreciated in the blending process.

The other grape varieties such as the Clairette de Gascogne, the Jurançon blanc, Plant de Graisse, Meslier Saint Francois, the Mauzac Blanc and the Mauzac Rose are grown today on just a few hectares of land.

How to read an Armagnac label

To understand the labels on the Armagnac bottles, it is important to know the standard commercial names designated to Armagnacs depending on the length of time spent ageing in wood. In young Armagnac for example, The Three Stars means it is over 3 years old. V.S.O.P means over 5 years old, and the XO is for over 6 year olds.

These indications, with the exception of Vintages, refer to the age of the youngest eau-de-vie contained in the blend. An Hors d'Age Armagnac is a blend of eaux-de-vie, the youngest component of which, has been aged for over ten years. Sometimes the age is directly indicated: 15 years, 20 years, 30 years, etc…

Finally, the Vintage Armagnac (Millesime), which is specific to Armagnac, means that it is at least 10 year old and corresponds exclusively to the year of the crop indicated on the label (1934, 1965, 1976, etc…).

Today, Armagnac producers are moving towards simplification to make labels more readable and easier to understand. Their aim is to eventually end up with 2 categories: Armagnac for blends under 5 years and Old Armagnac for blends beyond 5 years.


Different ways to enjoy Armagnac

After last month's How to taste Armagnac, we have here a few suggestions of how to enjoy it.

The astonishing diversity of Armagnac enables it to harmoniously accompany an entire meal. Simply moderate the suggested doses and to serve a glass of water on the side. Considering the measures usually served, there is as much alcohol in 3 glasses of wine as in 3 glasses of Armagnac (preferably served in tulip or ball shaped glasses).

Armagnac as a digestive

Armagnac & chocolate: A marriage made in heaven.

Armagnac & cigars: The qualities of both depend on the local soil, geology, climate and craftsmen. Both can be chosen according to the time of day, meal, company and circumstances. Both reveal aromas and flavours, notwithstanding the pleasure that they give...

Armagnac & coffee: This combination places the accent on the aromas. The bitterness of the coffee "erases" the acidity of the eau-de-vie and reinforces its sense of fullness. An old Armagnac with fine aromas will prolong the delicious and fine flavours of a Kenyan coffee. A young and vigorous Armagnac merges well with the power of an Ethiopian coffee.

Armagnac as an aperitif

The white eau-de-vie, barely out of the still, is consumed naturally very fresh or with a dash of lemon. To a young Armagnac (VS, VSOP...) simply add a few ice cubes, a little sparking water or tonic water.

Floc de Gascogne, AOC since 1990, is a fruity fortified wine. White or rosé depending on the grape variety used, it is made by marrying fresh grape juice and Armagnac from the same estate. It is perfect as an aperitif and during meals.

Armagnac based liqueurs brighten up sparkling wine and the fruits in Armagnac (prunes, cherries, raspberries, oranges...) joyously punctuate a meal.

Armagnac as a "trou gascon"

In the middle of a meal as a "trou gascon" - a cold glass of Armagnac served with plum sorbet between courses.

Armagnac as a cocktail base

Armagnac also makes an excellent base cocktail ingredient:

Armagnac Orange
- Armagnac (1/5)
- Orange juice (4/5)
- A dash of grenadine syrup
Decorate with a slice of orange and a straw

Armagnac Tonic
- Armagnac (1/5)
- Schweppes (4/5)
Decorate with a slice of lemon

Le Torito
- Armagnac (1/7)
- Red Orangina (6/7)
Best served cool, but without ice

Armagnac & Brut Champagne
- Armagnac (1/8)
- Orange liqueur (1/8)
- Champagne frappé (6/8)
Pour the liqueur and Armagnac into a flute, mix, and fill with the Champagne.
Decorate with a Maraschino cherry

After dinner Armagnac
- Armagnac (3/5)
- Garden mint (1/5)
- Gin (1/5)
Shake the ingredients with ice and serve in cocktail glasses with a mint leaf

And last but not least…

White Armagnac, and its unparalleled fruitiness, is the perfect accompaniment for smoked salmon, cold cuts, foie gras and lemon tart.

Young Armagnac enlivens sauces, flambé shellfish, meat or cakes, and can be used as an original substitute for vinegar in salad seasonings. It goes well with herb cheeses such as Roquefort.

Old Armagnacs are ideal for sweet and sour dishes such as guinea fowl with peaches or breast of duck with honey. They are also delicious poured over desserts: black forest gateaux, tarte tatin, pear charlotte, orange conserve... the sugar of the dessert softens the vivacity of the eau-de-vie.




Guess now you will appreciate this brandy much better…

We would like to thank the Bureau National Interprofessionnel de l'Armagnac for the information provided.