Recent research at Bordeaux University has produced data that extols the virtues of Armagnac for its apparent health giving qualities. The researchers concluded that a moderate daily intake of Armagnac could lengthen life as well as preventing heart disease and obesity.
This certainly seems to be the case for the lucky residents of the Gascony region of France, where it is made. Apparently, they live five years longer than the French average. It is also documented that the incidence of cardiovascular disease in this region is among the lowest in the world.
There are many tales about Armagnac and Cognac, which is the best and which came first. Not in dispute is the fact that when the Moors invaded France from Spain, they brought a unique piece of equipment that was used by their alchemists to produce perfumes and potions. Used for distillation, the 'Alhambic' was made from beaten and shaped copper and heated from beneath by wood or charcoal.
Arnaud de Villeneuve is attributed to being the inventor of the first Armagnac as far back as the early 1400’s using an Alhambic and transferring the fiery liquor into oak barrels for ageing. Armagnac is made from one distillation process from the still whereas Cognac is made from two, but both are aged in the same way. They are fine drinks and both have their ardent supporters.
There are those who consider bas-Armagnac to be the best of the Armagnac’s, and a particularly fine example is available from a winedrive listed Gascony vineyard. The domaine's Armagnac’s are made without using animal products making them acceptable to vegans and vegetarians.
Traditional methods are used to produce the wine after harvesting in the autumn, and before distillation using a wood fired Alhambic. The colourless ‘Eau de Vie’ is then aged in new oak barrels for the first years. It is during this stage that it gains its colour. It is then transferred to older oak barrels to continue the ageing process. As it ages it develops complexity and extra sweetness, arriving at the perfect state of balance between tannins, aromas and alcohol.
The ageing process can take decades and requires the utmost patience as only time can do the work, one reason why a 1.5 ltr bottle of 1929 vintage will cost you €744!
But if you want to try and prolong your life on a budget, don't worry - they also list more recent vintages from €8.67 for 0.2 ltr bottle...