Shabo drinks, produced for 200 years by a family company in the village of Labastide d’Armagnac in southwestern France, are now known throughout the world.
At the dawn of its existence and until the middle of the XNUMXth century, Armagnac was made according to a secret recipe exclusively for close friends and local nobility.
Today, Chabot products are the best-selling brand of Armagnac in the world: you can buy it in hundreds of countries.
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History of the brand
The first Armagnacs, named after the region of production, began to be made in France over 700 years ago. The technology was based on the developments of three great cultures: Romans, Arabs and Celts. The Chabot family took the most valuable of their heritage and in 1828 opened their own winery in the hills of Gascony.
A small company supplied local residents with decent wines and spirits, gradually acquiring new vineyards, buildings and facilities.
The enterprise is a full-cycle plant: all stages of production – from processing raw materials to bottling drinks – are carried out on its territory.
In the middle of the XNUMXth century, the first attempt was made to show the local Armagnac to the world, which was crowned with success. Consumers appreciated its excellent quality and outstanding taste.
John Genzburger made a significant contribution to the development of the Shabo company: he paid great attention to strengthening the brand and promoting it abroad.
Father’s work was continued by Mark Genzburger. In 1997, he founded his own distribution company, MG Cellars, to glorify the family Armagnac throughout the world.
In 2015, his wife Kathleen took over the company. Today, she is the guardian of Shabo’s philosophy and continues to work on its transformation into a global brand.
Production features
The rich and complex taste of “Chabot” is the result of the influence of unique natural conditions and adherence to traditional technology. There are 4 main stages:
Ripening of raw materials in a special microclimate with a sufficient amount of sun, protection (in the form of forests) from sharp temperature fluctuations and regular blowing with humid Atlantic breezes.
Good growth and fruiting of the vines is facilitated by nutritious soils with a high iron content.
Use in the production of certain white grape varieties: expressive rustic Baco Blanc, gentle early ripening Colombard, light jasmine Folle Blanche, fresh fruity Ugni Blanc.
Harvesting of raw materials (vendange) is carried out in September and early October, selecting only the best fruits.
Single distillation in a specially designed copper pot still – Armagnac Alambique. The result is a colorless “eaux de vie” (water of life) with a strength of 52 to 60% with rich aromatics.
Aging in handmade barrels of Gascony oak, mined in the forests of Monlezun. The choice of wood and its careful processing are given special attention, since it is she who completes the process of forming a unique bouquet and character of Armagnacs.
After maturation, the drinks are placed in old barrels for a while to improve the taste.
Interesting Facts
Большинство арманьяков – это винтажные напитки, состоящие из спиртов одного года. В подвалах Шабо хранится коллекция винтажей с 1888 года. Создают на предприятии и бленды (Napoleon, X.O., V.S.O.P.), которые требуют от мастера виртуозного владения искусством смешивания.
Due to the greater popularity and prevalence of cognac, it is believed that Armagnac was born much later. In fact, its history is 150 years older than cognac.
In a medical treatise written in 1310 by Abbé Vital Dufour, he talks about 40 virtues of Armagnac, which he called “fire water”.
Here are just a few: “enlivens the spirit, reminds of the past, makes people joyful, preserves youth and delays old age.”
In France, the “Armagnac paradox” is widely known: the life expectancy in Gascony is one of the highest in the country, despite the active consumption of saturated animal fats by its inhabitants. This amazing fact is associated with the healing properties of a unique drink.
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Species overview
The Chabot collection consists of 9 delightful Armagnacs and 3 exclusive series in a luxurious design:
Prestige N°8
An amazing blend that combines 8 vintage spirits of different aging periods (the oldest is 1938). Each component brings its own notes to the bouquet.
VSOP Deluxe
A 5-year-old drink with a deep copper color.
Aroma: rich, with plum accents, smoky and oaky notes.
Taste: rounded, with hints of dried fruits, grapes, wood spices, light floral flair. Good neat and in cocktails.
VSOP Gold
An exquisite 7-year-old elixir with a complex, full-bodied taste, bright copper tint.
Main notes: white plum, burnt wood.
Napoleon Special Reserve
A special drink bottled in dark bottles with a “frosty” effect. Armagnac No. 1 in Asia.
Цвет: янтарный, с бликами красного дерева. Аромат: дубово-сливовый.
Taste: balanced, with accents of aged wine and dried fruit, long finish. Good as an evening digestif.
XO Superior
The flagship of the Shabo collection, an outstanding blend bottled in handmade crystal decanters. Consists of mature spirits aged for at least 35 years.
Colour: smooth amber gold. Aroma: bright, with notes of almonds and plums.
Palate: full-bodied, fruity-floral, with a powerful woody-spicy finish.
Extras
A chic drink that includes 50-year-old spirits in a romantic “perfume” bottle.
Colour: deep mahogany with copper highlights. Aroma: vanilla-tobacco.
Taste: fruity-woody-spicy with floral undertones.
38 Year Old
Exclusive Armagnac from a mixture of the oldest vintage Shabo spirits. The balanced bouquet harmoniously combines shades of mature oak and dried fruits.
Finish: long, soft, with accents of citrus zest and a slight interspersing of tobacco.
30 Year Old
Элегантный напиток яркого медного оттенка с бликом топаза. Главные ноты: сладкая Мадера, экзотические специи, фрукты, цветы. Идеальная пара: дорогая сигара.
20 Year Old
Armagnac for true connoisseurs. Main notes: wood, dried fruits, spices and flowers.
Heart
A perfect elixir of the XO category, bottled in silver, rose and gold heart-shaped decanters.
Vintage
Collection of vintage drinks for special occasions. Includes the oldest copies of “living water” in 1888 and 1901.
Goose
A collection of aged Armagnacs in original bottles in the form of a goose – a symbol of power and good luck. “White Goose” contains Armagnac XO Private Reserve, “Gold” and “Blue Goose” – Extra Private Reserve.
Miniature Set
The series includes three of the company’s popular mini-packs: VSOP Deluxe, XO Superior and Napoleon.
What is the difference between cognac and armagnac
Relevance: 08.06.2019
Tags: Brandy and Cognac, Armagnac