Armagnac
Armagnac comes from the land of d'Artagnan, a land
of vines, geese and horses. The area is part of Southwest
France, south of Bordeaux in Gascony. Rumors have it,
that witches are still found in Armagnac. Armagnac
brandy, matching the extreme climate in which it is
nurtured and the determined character of the people
who make it, is full-bodied, pungent and strong. In
1909, in order to establish the name and capture a
market after the example of Cognac, the region of Armagnac
was marked out.
It is mostly in the department of Germs, although a little of the best corner just into Les Landes south of Bordeaux. The main centre is Condom, surrounded by Bas -Armagnac and Haut - Armagnac. Armagnac age and vintage are regulated. In late September / October the wine is made and distilled almost immediately; its age is designated as compte 00 .
On the 30th of April all distillation must stop and all brandy be distilled. The harvest becomes compte 0. Every year on April 1st the brandy gains another year. The minimum age at which Armagnac is sold is compte 2 for 3 Star, compte 4 for VSOP and compte 5 for Extra and Hors d'Age.
Armagnac labelled as 10 year old is a blend but none of the Armagnac's used for this blend, must not be younger than 10 years old. After 50 years Armagnac will no longer improve in the wood but will not deteriate when in Glass.
Armagnac labelled as 10 year old is a blend and produced from Armagnac with a minimum age of 10 years or even older. The same blending is used for 20 year old Armagnac and so on.
Have a look at our vast selection of Armagnacs dated back to 1848.