Will you soon be distilling your own Armagnac?

It really is hands-off with this domaine in the Gers. The house comes with everything on, on and in it. Yes, even the entire contents and even the wine stock in the barrels are yours once the decisive handshake is given. - Renée Salome

Gold plaque

Let's start with that wine stock. The wine estate is in the middle of the Grand-Bas-Armagnac, that little piece of earth where the best armagnac comes from
comes. So you will soon be making that one (or having it made). To refresh, armagnac is an eau de vie made from distilled wine. Unlike cognac, armagnac is distilled only once, and
at a higher temperature. That distillation, it is done using a copper alambic. Until the alambic rears its head, the winemaking process is identical to that of 'ordinary' wine. And as always, it starts with grapes - which grow around the residence. The total vineyard area that you might sway comprises 15 hectares, planted with baco, ugni blanc and folle blanche, not entirely coincidentally the classic armagnac grapes. The vineyards are superbe maintained and certified organic since 2012. Does that pay off? Of course! Some vintages have already won a gold plaque in prestigious wine competitions. It also helps that the current owners enlisted the help of none other than Marc Darroze, proclaimed the pope of armagnac by Robert Parker.

Crackling fireplace

Those current owners, an American couple, have been commuting between their hideaway in the Gers and their other home for about 20 years. You can do the same, but you don't have to. Indeed: why should differenceje? Granted, winters can be bleak in this part of France and the area is not very exciting. But very beautiful and blissfully peaceful. And the domaine itself has plenty to offer. The main house is a picture, with four chimneys, pale blue shutters and wrought-iron fencing around the French balcony above the original wooden double front door. It has bright, spacious rooms and is simply furnished. So no curvaceous Versaillechic, but rustic cosiness to match the rural surroundings. The semi-open kitchen has all modern conveniences, but also retains the original bread oven. Both the living room and the dining room have a stone fireplace - can you see yourself sitting by the crackling fire with a good book and your home-made Armagnac? Surely a winter can't last long enough like this? In summer, there is the swimming pool, with a partly covered wooden sun terrace that is part of the pool house. A few friends over, the barbecue on and summer can't go wrong either.

Read more in the latest Winelife Magazine edition 70. You can order this one here!

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