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Armagnac |
Armagnac is a grape brandy from the Gascony region of Southwestern France. Its closest relative is Cognac, another grape brandy from an appellation located about 100 miles north of Armagnac. Even though it is related to and often confused with Cognac, armagnac is very different with regards to its grapes, terroir, distillation, élevage, blending, aromas, tastes and textures. In truth, France's two finest brandies made from wine are not very much alike at all.
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During the distillation of the 1994 vintage, Armagnac lost one of its great personalities, Léon Lafitte. Lafitte, son a local merchant, was also an army officer and Mayor of Labastide for 18 years, taking over Domaine Boingnères when his father-in-law passed away in 1953. That same year, he purchased another parcel of land lying adjacent to an existent parcel in Le Frêche.
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The Château de Briat has a long and impressive history. Built in 1540, it first served as the hunting manor for Queen Jeanne d'Albret. Her son, Henri de Navarre, later Henri IV, King of France, often stayed in the castle, but in 1587 gave it to one of his fellow officers as a reward for saving his life in battle. After changing ownership several times, the domaine was taken over by Baron Raoul de Pichon-Longueville in 1864.
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Castles have graced the property of what is now the Château de Ravignan since the 12th century. The name Ravignan itself comes from the deep ravines surrounding the property that once served as a natural defense. The château was later occupied by feudal barons and partially destroyed during the religious wars of the Sixteenth century. In the mid-17th century, a Louis XIII manor was built on the property. In 1732 vineyards were planted. Around the same time, the property was sold to Jean La Croix who later took the name Ravignan.
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In this detailed study, Charles Neal takes us to Gascony, in the hidden backwoods of Southwestern France. All the factors that go into making a great armagnac are explained, as are the differences between it and cognac.
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A Must Read for Armagnac Fans
Get your signed copy for only $33.00.
- Biographies and reviews of over 140 producers and négociants
- Precise differences between armagnac and cognac explained
- Tasting notes for more than 750 vintage armagnacs
- More than 200 photographs
- 320 pages, hard back, 6 X 9
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