Introduction to Armagnac

Armagnac, the oldest French eau-de-vie is celebrating 7 centuries of history in 2010. To celebrate, 3 UK Armagnac Ambassadors have been elected to promote the world's finest grape spirit. Read all about it at

http://www.armagnac.fr/actu-idActu_346-pageActu_1.html

At the beginning of the 14th century, Maitre Vital Dufour, prior of Eauze in Gascony, considered that this eau-de-vie had '40 virtues or uses' to 'conserve one's health and stay on top form'.

Today, Armagnac is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, made essentially from 4 grape varieties : Ugni-Blanc, Folle blanche, Baco and Colombard. It covers 3 areas : Bas-Armagnac, Haut-Armagnac and Armagnac-Ténarèze. The Armagnac eaux-de-vie belong to a 'terroir', that of Gascony in the South West of France, and their notoriety relies on the traditional production methods carefully passed down through generations that makes each one of them original; an 'authors' eau-de-vie.

As an aperitif, pure or with ice, in cocktails, as an accompaniment to certain dishes, or as a digestive, Armagnac will seduce any palate. It is also wonderful for cooking and in dressings, sauces, ice-cream...you name it.

Armagnac, unlike cognac, is made with a wine philosophy: vintages, varietals and retention of fruit. A wonderful drink, aged in local Monlezun or Troncais oak, and usually single distilled in a continious still to retain more fruit at a lower distilled alcoholic strength.



Sunday 18 April 2010

Comte de Lauvia "8" VSOP

Region: Eauze, Bas-Armagnac.
Age: 8 years, twice the minimum required ageing.
Appearance: medium, amber, wonderful legs.
Nose: Peach, apricot, nectarine, orange zest, vanilla and oak.
Palate: Medium acidity and body, peaches, apricots and vanilla with a very good length.

Price: £15.57 at Sainsburys for 50cl.

Value for money: bargain. Better than any Cognac for the same price.
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2 comments:

  1. The Coffee Bloke5 May 2010 at 03:17

    You are right about that price. I sell it at Alwoodley Wines and I know that the are selling it below current cost price. Which only means they want to clear it off the shelf. Get it while you can. Lovely write up Glen, can I please use it on my shelf display (with referance to your blog?)

    ReplyDelete
  2. ArmagnacUK8 May 2010 at 13:13

    Of course -please do!

    ReplyDelete

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