Armagnac - alcoholic drink made in the South-West of France in the region Of armagnac (armagnac) Gascony province by distillation of white wine in the Armagnac distillation apparatus, followed by aging in oak barrels. Brandy refers to grape brandy. Armagnac is made from grapes: Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche (Picpoul), Colombard, 22A-Bako.
Armagnac is the oldest alcoholic beverage in France, a classic digestif (drink consumed after a meal). It has a bright Golden or amber color, sometimes mahogany. Armagnac is largely similar to cognac in its organoleptic qualities, but at the same time different originality of taste and aroma, which is based on the tones of nuts, violets, prunes. Just unlike cognac, characterized by a single distillation continuous method and it is not diluted with water, to reduce the fortress, before bottling. The reduction of the fortress occurs in a natural way, when exposed, due to the evaporation of alcohol through the pores of oak.
Armagnac is a more ancient drink than cognac. The first mention of it dates back to the XV century, and the first sale dates back to 1411. The dispute about the comparative advantages of Armagnac and cognac continues to this day. The French say about Armagnac: "we gave Cognac to the world, and Armagnac left itself!»
Armagnac classification of aging is very similar to the classification of cognac:
Blanche — the white spirit without aging
VS or "* * * " - at least two years in oak barrels
VO or VSOP-at least 5 years in oak barrels
Napoleon or XO-at least 6 years in oak barrels
Hors d'age-at least 10 years in oak barrels
millesime Armagnac, which is especially appreciated.
By other classification:
Blanche d'armagnac – young spirits not aged in oak barrels;
Armagnac-assemblage with an extract of less than 6 years;
Vieil Armagnac-assemblage with aging more than 6 years;
Vintage-Armagnac made from alcohols of one year.
Despite the elite of the drink, do not forget that the alcohol contained in it, with excessive use has a detrimental effect on the human body.
Other strong alcoholic beverages
