Armagnac
Armagnac is France's oldest brandy, and nearly all of ours comes from Bas-Armagnac.
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Armagnac questions
Is Armagnac better than Cognac?
Neither is better, they're different. Armagnac comes from Gascony, is usually distilled once in a column still and is often made by small family producers, so it tends to be fuller, more rustic and more varied. Cognac is distilled twice in pot stills and is dominated by large houses, which gives a smoother, more polished style. Armagnac often costs less at the same age.
What is Armagnac made from?
Armagnac is distilled from white wine made with up to ten approved grapes, mainly ugni blanc, baco blanc, folle blanche and colombard. Baco gives roundness and folle blanche adds floral elegance. The new spirit then ages in oak barrels, traditionally local black Gascon oak, which adds color, vanilla and spice.
What do VS, VSOP and XO mean?
They mark the minimum age of the youngest brandy in the blend. VS or three stars means at least one year in oak for Armagnac, VSOP at least four years, and XO at least ten years. Hors d'âge also means ten years or more. Armagnac is also famous for vintage bottlings, which come from a single harvest year.
How long does Armagnac last once opened?
An opened bottle stays good for years if you keep it upright, tightly closed and out of the sun. The spirit doesn't spoil, but when the bottle is less than a third full, the extra air starts to flatten the aroma faster. At that point, try to finish it within a year or pour the rest into a smaller bottle.