The province of Gascony in France, which is also called the “Armagnac Valley” has three sub-regions: Bas-Armagnac, Haut-Armagnac, Tenareze. Each of them is famous for its lands and vineyards. But the most prestigious area for doing business is Bas-Armagnac.
It is here that the famous Armagnac Baron G. Legrand (Baron Legrand) is produced. Brief history of the brand and Lero House
What is the difference between cognac and armagnac
History in brief
Mark Armagnac Baron Legrand belongs to the cognac House Lheraud (Leraux). For the first time, this estate was talked about in 1680, then the company was managed by a certain Alexander Lero. But in 1970, the reins of government passed to Guy Lheraud, and in order to emphasize this status, Guy launched the production and sale of cognac under his own name “Cognac Guy Lheraud”.
In order to expand the product line, Lero bought the estate with a large supply of aged Armagnac. That is how Baron Legrand got into the Lheraud Cognac House.
Today, the estate of Armagnac has about 80 hectares of land, which grows grapes of the best varieties.
Production features
As you know, most Armagnac houses in France use the double distillation method in the production process, but the Lero company tends to use only one distillation.
For aging Armagnac Baron Legrand use exclusively new oak barrels, in which the drink spends about 6-7 years. During this time, grape alcohol manages to draw in all the aromas of the tree, and turns into a rich amber color.
Then the Armagnac is poured into old barrels for slow maturation. It is important to note that, unlike brandy, Armagnac can be kept in such barrels for no more than 40 years. According to experts, this is how many years this drink can retain its taste.
And at the final stage of maturation, the drink is poured into glass bottles.
Aging barrels
The house of Lheraud approaches the choice of wood from which barrels are made for aging Armagnac with great trepidation.
For this case, only old centuries-old oaks are used, on which there are very few all kinds of knots.
Baron G. Legrand Collections
Cognac House Lheraud presents six unique collections of drinks, ranging from more modern items to vintage drinks from 1935.
Old Armagnac 1935
Armagnac has a magnificent amber color.
The taste and bouquet of aromas are balanced, have a light shade of dried fruits, citrus fruits, and woody notes are revealed in the aftertaste.
This drink is recommended to be served as a digestif, but it can also be put on the festive table, with a well-thought-out menu. Which will include game flambé, gourmet cold cuts, foie gras and national Gascon dishes.
Bas Armagnac 1964
The drink has a rich amber color with golden hues, a soft woody taste and a spicy aftertaste.
The aroma has an interesting combination of wet wood and dried fruit.
Sommeliers strongly recommend serving it after the main meal with Agen prunes, raspberries, cherries or oranges.
Bas-Armagnac VS
The taste of the drink has vanilla notes and a long warming aftertaste.
The aroma has many fruity notes. Armagnac VS has a rich amber color.
Bas Armagnac VSOP
A drink with a touch of amber and a wonderful fruity taste.
The bouquet captures light aromas of fruit, vanilla and a wooden barrel.
Armagnac VSOP can be served as a digestif in tandem with coffee or a cigar.
Decanter Elisa Bas Armagnac 1963 (Box Collection PG Crystal Decanter)
Armagnac beautiful dark amber color.
In the process of tasting, a pleasant oily taste with harmonious herbal shades is felt.
The aroma is revealed gradually, it is dominated by notes of chocolate, oak and walnut.
Bas Armagnac 1975 Reproduction of 17th Century Pansy Bottle (2L)
The drink has a luxurious amber color, has a rich, velvety taste, which reveals a range of shades of dried fruits with a wonderful aftertaste.
The aroma contains licorice, woody and vanilla notes.
As the Gascons say: “Cognac is like a girl, and Armagnac is a mature woman with experience, very changeable, whom not everyone dares to introduce to their mother.” Perhaps, having tried this elegant drink once, you will become its true connoisseur.
Relevance: 08.02.2018
Tags: Brandy and Cognac, Brandy Brands