Armagnac · Explainer
Which grapes are permitted in armagnac?
The cahier des charges of the AOC Armagnac permits 10 grape varieties: baco blanc, blanc dame, colombard, folle blanche, graisse, jurançon, mauzac, mauzac rose, meslier saint-françois and ugni blanc. The BNIA names four that define the picture: ugni blanc, baco, folle blanche and colombard. Baco blanc is a cross from 1898. All ten are white varieties; no blue grape goes into armagnac.
In brief
The key figures
| Number of permitted varieties | Ten, laid down in the cahier des charges of the AOC |
|---|---|
| The full list | Baco blanc, blanc dame, colombard, folle blanche, graisse, jurançon, mauzac, mauzac rose, meslier saint-françois, ugni blanc |
| The big four | Ugni blanc, baco, folle blanche and colombard, according to the BNIA |
| Ugni blanc | Called “the distillation grape par excellence” by the BNIA |
| Baco blanc | Cross of folle blanche and noah, created in 1898 by François Baco |
| Colour | All permitted varieties are white; mauzac rose is a pink mutant of mauzac |
| Sulphur | The wine for armagnac is fermented without added sulphur |
| Planting density | According to the BNIA, about 3,700 vines per hectare |
| Age limit | NIX18: verkoop vanaf 18 jaar |
Which ten varieties are listed in the cahier des charges?
The cahier des charges of the AOC Armagnac names ten permitted grape varieties.
- baco blanc
- blanc dame
- colombard
- folle blanche
- graisse
- jurançon
- mauzac
- mauzac rose
- meslier saint-françois
- ugni blanc
They are all ten white varieties. Mauzac rose is a pink-mutated form of mauzac and, like the others, yields a white must.
Which four varieties are used in practice?
In practice armagnac revolves around four varieties: ugni blanc, baco, folle blanche and colombard.
The BNIA calls ugni blanc “the distillation grape par excellence” and attributes fine, often floral eaux-de-vie to folle blanche. According to the BNIA, baco brings roundness and ripe fruit, colombard fruity and spicy notes. The other six varieties are in the regulations but rarely appear on the label.
What is baco blanc and why is that variety special?
Baco blanc is a cross between folle blanche and noah, made in 1898 by the French breeder François Baco.
Folle blanche is a European wine grape, noah an American cross. Baco blanc combines the two and is included as a hybrid in the cahier des charges of armagnac. The variety was planted back then because folle blanche proved susceptible to disease after the phylloxera plague.
Why is the wine for armagnac made without sulphur?
The wine that goes to the still is fermented without added sulphur.
Sulfur would end up in the still and return in the eau-de-vie. The wine therefore keeps for a short time only and goes to distillation soon after the harvest; distillation must be finished by 31 March after the harvest at the latest. It is a wine not meant for drinking, but for distilling.
Is the grape variety on the bottle?
The grape variety is not required to appear on a bottle of armagnac, but it may.
Bottlings of only folle blanche or only baco exist and state this on the label. With most bottles the contents are a blend of varieties and nothing is said about it. If you want to know what is in a bottle, the label is the only thing to go by; we are happy to look it up with you at the Brink 2.
From the shop in Bathmen
Which armagnac brands are there in Bathmen?
In the shop in Bathmen there are 34 armagnacs from 12 different brands. Prices range from € 21.99 to € 224.99. The alcohol percentage ranges from 40% to 50.5%.
- Armagnac de Montal VS 40% · 70 cl · France
- Armagnac de Montal VSOP 40% · 70 cl · France
- Armagnac de Montal XO 40% · 70 cl · France
- Armagnac Delord 25 Years Old 40% · 70 cl · France
- Armagnac Delord Fine 3 Years Old 40% · 70 cl · France
- Armagnac Delord Napoleon 10 Years Old 40% · 70 cl · France
- Armagnac Delord VSOP 5 Years Old 40% · 70 cl · France
- Armagnac Delord XO 15 Years Old 40% · 70 cl · France
- Armagnac Delord XO Premium 25-45 Years Old 42% · 70 cl · France
- Chateau Du Tariquet Bas Armagnac XO 40% · 70 cl · France
Related questions
How long does armagnac keep after opening?How is armagnac distilled?What do VS, VSOP, XO and Hors d’âge mean on armagnac?
Short answer
Short answers to related questions
- How many grape varieties are allowed in armagnac?
- Ten, according to the cahier des charges of the AOC. Four of them shape the picture in practice: ugni blanc, baco, folle blanche and colombard.
- Are there black grapes in armagnac?
- No. All permitted varieties are white. The colour of armagnac comes from the oak, not from the grape.
- Does cognac use the same grapes as armagnac?
- Partly. Ugni blanc, folle blanche and colombard occur in both; baco blanc is permitted in the armagnac cahier des charges and not in that of cognac.
- What is a mono-cépage armagnac?
- An armagnac from a single grape variety, for example only folle blanche or only baco. That is then stated on the label.
- From what age may you buy armagnac?
- Vanaf 18 jaar. NIX18 geldt in Nederland voor alle dranken met alcohol.
The reasoning
Sources
- Cahier des charges de l’appellation d’origine contrôlée « Armagnac », INAO, Institut national de l’origine et de la qualité (accessed 2026-09-25)
- Cépages et terroir, BNIA, Bureau National Interprofessionnel de l’Armagnac (accessed 25 September 2026)
- Baco blanc, Wikipedia, English edition (accessed 25 September 2026)
- L’Armagnac en chiffres, BNIA, Bureau National Interprofessionnel de l’Armagnac (accessed 2026-09-25)
This page was written and checked by ’t Bockje Bathmen, wine & spirits shop at Brink 2 in Bathmen. Last updated on 25 September 2026.
Verkoop van alcohol onder de 18 jaar is verboden. NIX18.