The Grapes

Armagnac only exists because every year, on the slopes of beautiful Gascony, different grapes are grown that will eventually be vinified, distilled, and aged. While ten different varieties are permitted by decree, only the following three play in the MdM band.

Ladies and gentlemen…

ON DRUMS…. UGNI BLANC
The workhorse of grapes is very well adapted to clay and limestone soil and produces wines of high acidic concentration, which makes it very interesting for the production of brandy in general and Armagnac in particular.

ON GUITAR…..FOLLE BLANCHE
This was once the traditional grape variety in Cognac and Armagnac production until it was replaced by its hybrid offspring, Baco 22A, due to phylloxera damage. It requires an enormous amount of care and treatment and is very receptive to black and grey rot.

ON BASS….BACO 22A
A French-American hybrid grape variety bred by François Baco in 1898 shortly after the disaster caused by phylloxera, Baco 22A is the only hybrid variety still used in an AOC area. It is only authorised for use in the production of Armagnac.