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Armagnac is the oldest eau-de-vie with records going back to the 14th Century. In fact Prior Vital Dufour, or the Prior of Eauze, was a medical man and in 1310 wrote about the 40 virtues of Armagnac:
"This water, if taken medically and soberly is said to have 40 virtues... It enlivens the spirit, partaken in moderation, recalls the past to memory, renders men joyous, preserves youth and retards senility..."
Actually the history of Armagnac precedes even the 14th Century, as
it began with the Romans who brought vines to the area, continued with
the Arabs who contributed the still, and the Celts who introduced the
barrel.
Armagnac is thought to be derived from 'Herreman', a knight who was granted the fiefdom of Gascogny by Clovis, King of France in the 5th Century. 'Herreman' is believed to have been Latinised and then distorted into 'Armagnac' by the local dialect.
The Armagnac region is situated at the heart of Gascony, which has become world famous for its wines, its eaux-de-vie and its gastronomy. It was officially recognized as an 'Appellation d'origine controllée' in 1936.
M. Jean-Pierre Gimet's distillery near Cazeneuve, inbetween Eauze and Condom, corresponds exactly with our philosophy of family concerns, making hand-crafted products, using skills passed down through generations.
T: +33 5 57 84 94 75 M:+33 6 71 70 44 20 E: info@france-uncorked.com