Armagnac is a French brandy made from white wine grapes and aged in black oak barrels. It is less famous than cognac but can be found in French liquor stores and specialty stores. It is typically consumed as a digestif and can be paired with desserts or cheeses. When buying Armagnac, it is recommended to read reviews to find the best product in your price range.
Armagnac is a French brandy made in the Armagnac region of France. This southwestern French brandy is much less famous than its cousin cognac, despite being much older, and some people think very fine Armagnac tastes superior to that of cognac. Many French liquor stores, markets, and specialty stores carry this brandy, and depending on where you live, you may be able to order this brandy direct from artisanal producers in France.
The origins of Armagnac seem to date back to the 12th century. This brandy is made from white wine grapes such as Colombard, Folle Blanche, Ugni Blanc, Piquepoul and Baco 22A, a hybrid grape variety. The grapes are pressed to produce a dry wine which is distilled only once, often using a column distillation technique, before being poured into black oak barrels for ageing. Because Armagnac is only distilled once, it has an alcohol content of about 53%, which is lower than other brandies, and it also has a stronger fruit flavour, which can develop into a very complex and elegant sensation if the ‘Armagnac is aged enough.
Typically, Armagnac is aged for at least two years and sometimes much longer. It is possible to find Armagnacs that have aged for 40 years or more, along with blends of multiple vintages that are designed to showcase the best of various Armagnacs. Some producers also add substances such as caramel to their Armagnacs to create an impression of age, although others frown on this practice.
In France, Armagnac is generally consumed as a digestif, in small quantities at the end of a meal. Most people drink it from glasses with wide bases and narrow tops, and typically one holds the base of the glass rather than the glass itself, as heating the glass causes a release of alcoholic aromas, which can overwhelm the natural fruitiness of a good Armagnac. It is also not uncommon to see Armagnac paired with various fruit and chocolate desserts, and sometimes even with cheeses.
When buying brandy from the Armagnac region, try looking up some reviews of particular producers and vintages to find the best brandy in your price range. Some Armagnacs can get extremely expensive, so it’s worth checking reviews first to ensure you’re getting the best product possible. Remember that Armagnac stops aging once it’s bottled, so storing it for years won’t make much difference in flavor, although you should store your Armagnac in a cool, dry, dark place to avoid affecting its flavor.
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