The Grape Varieties

Although regulations permit ten different grape varieties, only three play a major role in current production. Ugni Blanc is the most widely used grape variety. It is well suited to clay and limestone soils and produces wines with high acidity, a characteristic that makes it particularly suitable for brandy production in general and for Armagnac in particular. Folle Blanche was historically the traditional grape variety used in both Cognac and Armagnac production. Following severe damage caused by phylloxera, it was largely replaced by the hybrid variety Baco 22A. The grape requires intensive care and is highly susceptible to black and grey rot. Baco 22A is a French-American hybrid grape variety developed by François Baco in 1898 after the phylloxera crisis. It is the only hybrid grape variety still authorised within an AOC appellation and may be used exclusively for the production of Armagnac.