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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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Domaine Boingnères recently celebrated its 200th anniversary. The estate was acquired on June 20, 1807 by Jean Boingnères, an ancestor of proprietor Martine Lafitte. It is located in the small commune of Le Frêche, perhaps the best growing soil of the Bas-Armagnac.
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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.
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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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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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What is Armagnac?
Domaine Boingnères
Château de Ravignan
Château de Briat
Armagnac - The Definitive Guide to France's Premier Brandy by Charles Neal