The western part of the Armagnac area; see there.
Although the famous French brandy is several centuries older than cognac, it is somewhat overshadowed by its "big brother". Its home is Gascony, a hilly landscape in the centre of south-west France. It includes the department of Gers as well as parts of Landes and Lot-et-Garonne. The Gascon people learnt the art of distillation from the Moors as early as the 12th century. The first written record of Armagnac (aqua ardens = burning water) dates back to 1411, while a document from 1461 states that "the distilled spirit of wine soothes pain, keeps the memory fresh and people young and brings joy and well-being". In 1909, the designation of origin "Armagnac" was decreed for the first time. The BNIA (Bureau National Interprofessionel de l'Armagnac) monitors the strict regulations. The gold-coloured seal is awarded to those who pass the test.
There are three zones, each with characteristic features of different soil types. In the west is Bas-Armagnac (clay and sand), the middle zone is Ténarèze (calcareous clay soil) and in the east is Haut-Armagnac (limestone). The best distillates with a specific flavour come from Bas-Armagnac (Armagnac Noir), which accounts for 55% of production. Strict regulations apply to these Armagnacs. The elite is distilled in the small "Terre de Bouc" (goat country) area, these products may be called "Grand Bas-Armagnac". The "Haut-Armagnac" (Blanche Armagnac) area accounts for only 5% of production. Sparkling base wines are predominantly produced there, a good proportion of which is exported to Germany.
Until the appearance of phylloxera around 1878, the white variety Piquepoul Blanc was...
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