Cognac & Armagnac

Question 1

What characteristics differentiate Armagnac from Cognac?

Answer 1

Sometimes described as more rustic; fuller aroma and flavor, rounder texture. It also ages more quickly

Question 2

What are the 3 sub-regions of Armagnac, and how are they defined?

Answer 2

Bas-Armagnac: Most westerly, highest quality, and largest producer

Tenareze: Central growing area. high quantity of chalk, producing round, complex spirits

Haute-Armagnac: Most easterly, least prized, and lightest style.

Question 3

Name the 4 most important grapes in Armagnac production, as well as what they contribute

Answer 3

Ugni Blanc (Saint-Emilion) - floral character and acidity
Baco Blanc - fruitiness, earthiness, weight
Folle Blanc - subtlety and floral aromas
Colombard - spicy, peppery edge as well as fruitiness and aroma

Question 4

What is an armagnac still?

Answer 4

An early, small-scale version of a continuous still

Question 5

At what ABV is Armagnac generally taken off the still, and what do distillers aim for?

Answer 5

52-72%, but they aim for 60%

Question 6

What type of oak is used for aging Armagnac?

Answer 6

Black oak from the local Monlezun Forest. Usually only for the first year, as the tannin content is quite high

Question 7

Minimum Aging requirement for Armagnac

Answer 7

1 year in wood

Question 8

What are the 5 categories of aging for Armagnac?

Answer 8

Blanche d'Armagnac: maximum 3 months in inert containers
***/VS: minimum 1 year in wood (1-3yrs)
VSOP: minimum 4 years in wood (4-9yrs)
XO: minimum 10 years in wood (10-19yrs)
XO Premium: minimum 20 years in wood

Question 9

Explain the 2 non-age labeling terms for Armagnac

Answer 9

Hors d’Age - “without age” or “age unknown”. This represents the highest-quality armagnacs
Vintage: Produced with the grapes a single year’s harvest and dated with that year. Many vintage armagnacs are aged for 20+ years

Question 10

What are the two French departments located within the legally-defined Cognac region

Answer 10

Charente & Charente-Maritime

Question 11

What year was cognac granted its original AOC status?

Answer 11

1936

Question 12

Name the cognac crus in order of most prestigious to least renowned

Answer 12

• Grande Champagne
• Petite Champagne
• Borderies
• Fins Bois
• Bon Bois
• Bois Ordinaires

Question 13

When may the term ‘Fine Champagne’ be used?

Answer 13

to indicate a cognac made with a combination of grapes from Petite Champagne and Grande Champagne. 50% must come from Grande Champagne

Question 14

What differentiates the soil of the Cognac region?

Answer 14

Chalk content

Question 15

Leading grape variety of the cognac region

Answer 15

Ugni Blanc

Question 16

What grape varieties make up 90% of the base wine for cognac?

Answer 16

Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, and/or Colombard

Question 17

Other permitted grape varieties for cognac

Answer 17

Montils, Semillon, Folignan (Folignan limited to a max 10% of all plantings), Jurancon Blanc, Meslier Saint-Francois, Select

Question 18

Type of still used in the distillation of Cognac

Answer 18

Charentais Still

Question 19

Term used for the two-stage distillation used in Cognac production

Answer 19

A repasse

Question 20

Term used for the first stage of Cognac distillation, and the distillate it produces

Answer 20

Premiere chauffe - distillate is 28-32% ABV and known as Brouillis

Question 21

Term used for the second stage of Cognac distillation, and ABV of the distillate it produces

Answer 21

Bonne Chauffe - 60% ABV

Question 22

Date by which all Cognac distillation must be completed for the season

Answer 22

March 31st of the year following the harvest

Question 23

What is the Martell Method?

Answer 23

The lees left over after fermentation are discarded, creating a lighter spirit that matures earlier

Question 24

What is the Remy Martin Method?

Answer 24

The lees are used to impart a richer character to the spirit and allow for longer aging potential

Question 25

What type of oak is preferred for aging cognac? Why?

Answer 25

Limousin barrels are preferred, and typical. It is low in harsh tannins, and its porosity allows for slow oxidation of the spirit

Question 26

Minimum aging time for Cognac

Answer 26

2 years in oak

Question 27

Name the Cognac labeling terms, including their requirements

Answer 27

***/VS: min 2 yrs
Superieur: min 3 yrs
VSOP: min 4 yrs
VVSOP/Grand Reserve: min 5 yrs
Napoleon: min 6 yrs
Extra: min 6 yrs (same as Napoleon, but marketed as higher in quality)
Vielle Reserve: min 6 years (must match the age of Extra, but is usually much older)
Hors d’Age: min 6 years (must match vielle reserve, but marketed as higher quality)
XO: min 10 years

Question 28

French governement agency that oversees the production of Cognac

Answer 28

Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC)

Question 29

What is an ‘Acquit Regional Jaune d’or’?

Answer 29

The ‘golden certificate’. This is issued by the local tax office and must accompany every consignment of Cognac; it warrants that the product has been produced and distilled in Cognac

Question 30

Where is the Armagnac region located?

Answer 30

It is more landlocked than the Cognac region, located southeast of Bordeaux in the department of Gers

Question 31

Name and characteristic of a unique topsoil in Bas-Armagnac

Answer 31

Boulbenes - consists of a combination of sand, chalk, clay and stones

Question 32

Parentage of the Baco Blanc grape

Answer 32

American Noah Grape X Folle Blanche

Question 33

What are the six “phantom grapes” of Armagnac?

Answer 33

Clairette de Gascogne, Meslier Saint-Francois, Plant de Graisse, Jurancon Blanc, Mauzac Blanc, Mauzac Rose