ARMAGNAC
There
are lands where secret liaisons between Earth, Water and Fire
had enfanted a mysterious child: Armagnac or "Aygue Ardente"
Three civilizations created it: Romans introduced the vine,
Arabs invented the distillation process and Celts developed
the use of oak casks. The bravery of the Monsquetaires gave
it its Sumptuous Destiny.
Given the attribute of a supernatural power by church in the
middle ages, a king's table's must at the age of Enlightment.
Armagnac is today the blazon of Man's everlasting love towards
nature.
The oldest Armagnac dates from 1411. First it is "distilled
continuously" and then aged patiently in handmade gascony
oak casks.
There are three areas within the region Bas Armagnac, Haut Armagnac and Ténarèze
Haut: chalky soil producing a dry Armagnac
Ténarèze: chalky-clay soil, violets and vanilla
are predominant
Bas: sandy soil making the best and most complex eau de vie
releasing an explosion of earth, forest and fruits aromas.
Very old Armagnacs can be so aromatic that the smell can linger
up to a week in an emptied glass.
In the mouth "aygue ardente" is elegant, smooth but eloquent
with tremendous suavity and a "longueur en bouche" that seems
eternal.
All around you will be enveloped by prunes, figs, vanilla,
coffee, pain d'epices and almonds....
c'est peut-être cela gôut du paradis.... |