Armagnac

Armagnac is the oldest brandy (and liquor) recorded to be still distilled in the world. In 1310, Prior Vital du Four, a cardinal, wrote of its 40 virtues. Vital du Four was born in Bazas, in the centre of Armagnac. He was known as the prior of Eauze, today the location of the Bureau National Interprofessionnel de l'Armagnac (BNIA). But historians have not found evidence that he ever visited Eauze, much less that he was writing specifically about distilled eau de vie from Armagnac. In the past it was consumed for its therapeutic benefits, as were other liquors. Between the 15th and 17th centuries, Armagnac was traded on the markets of Saint-Sever, Mont-de-Marsan, and Aire-sur-l'Adour. Subsequently, Dutch merchants began promoting the trade more widely and providing or financing alembics. ==Geography==

The Armagnac region lies between the Adour and Garonne rivers in the foothills of the Pyrenees. The region was granted ''Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée'' (AOC) status in 1936. The official production area is divided into three districts that lie in the departments of Gers, Landes, and Lot-et-Garonne. The region contains of grape-producing vines. The Fallières Decree of 25 May 1909 names the three districts as: • Bas-Armagnac, responsible for about 62% of production • Armagnac-Ténarèze, accounting for 37% • Haut-Armagnac, a tiny area producing about 1% of all Armagnac == Production ==

, domaine d'Ognoas, Arthez-d'Armagnac, Landes, 1936 Armagnac is traditionally distilled once, resulting in alcohol content between 52% and 60%. The Armagnac region produces 3 million bottles a year of brandy, compared to the 220 million produced in Cognac. However, the French drink only 4 million bottles of Cognac compared to 1.5 million of Armagnac. Grapes Ten different varieties of Armagnac grapes are authorised for use in the production of Armagnac. Of these, four are most common: • Baco blanc • Colombard • Folle blanche • Ugni blanc ==References==