As regards the grape varieties, the diversity and suitability of the terroir have to be taken into account.
Among the ten varieties authorised in the production of Armagnac, four main ones lend their character to this eau-de-vie :
Ugni-Blanc is the distillation variety par excellence. is the ideal variety for distilling as it gives acidic wines that are low in alcohol and produces elegant, quality eaux de vie. It can be grown easily in Bas-Armagnac and in Armagnac-Tenareze.
The climate is gentle and temperate. In the West of the Appellation, it is the damp oceanic influence, moderated by the Landes forest that presides, whilst in the East, it is more of a Mediterranean climate that prevails with a predominant Autan winds.
The undulating valleys of Bas-Armagnac in the West of the region grow vines on meagre and acidic silicious-clay soils. Parts are mixed with ferrous elements that colour the earth, from hence comes the name 'tawny sands', and the boulbènes, are silty sediments characteristic of the region. This area produces light, fruity, delicate and highly praised eaux-de-vie.
The centre of Ténarèze Armagnac is a transitional zone where one finds boulbènes and strong clay/limestone soils. The eaux-de-vie are generally more full-bodied and reach their full maturity after a long ageing.
Haut Armagnac in the South and the East is very spread out. Its hills are predominantly chalky with areas of clay/limestone and sometimes a boulbènes covering in the valleys. The vines here are represented in small plots.
Folle Blanche As regards the grape varieties, the diversity and suitability of the terroir have to be taken into account.
Among the ten varieties authorised in the production of Armagnac, four main ones lend their character to this eau-de-vie : is the most well known. It is the historic Armagnac variety that dominated the vineyards before the total destruction by phylloxéra in 1878 and was called 'piquepoult'. Today, grown on rootstock, its cultivation is more difficult and vulnerable, therefore it is less widely represented. Folle Blanche produces delicate eaux-de-vie that often display a floral character and a great degree of finesse that are particularly valued in Blanche or young Armagnacs.
Baco 22 A is an unconventional variety in the French vineyards. It is a hybrid, son of Folle Blanche and Noah that was created by Monsieur François Baco, a Landais schoolmaster following the plague of phylloxera. It is particularly suited to the sands in Bas-Armagnac where it gives round, suave eaux-de-vie with aromas of ripe fruits, especially after a long ageing.
Colombard.........The Clairette de Gascogne, the white Jurançon, the Plant de graisse, the Meslier Saint François or the white and rosé Mauzac are the older varieties permitted though are quite rare today and represent only a few hectares of vines.
A natural vinification
The grapes harvested in October are pressed and the juice left to ferment naturally without any addition of oenological products. The wines are generally acidic and low in alcohol; it has therefore a good conservation capacity retaining all the freshness and aromas until distillation.
Terroirs
In Armagnac, the terroir comes in three parts. Bas-Armagnac, Ténarèze Armagnac and Haut Armagnac form an area of vines in the form of a vine leaf and extend over 15000 hectares planted in three departments: the Gers, the Landes and the Lot-et-Garonne.
Ugni-Blanc is the distillation variety par excellence. is the ideal variety for distilling as it gives acidic wines that are low in alcohol and produces elegant, quality eaux de vie. It can be grown easily in Bas-Armagnac and in Armagnac-Tenareze.
Colombard.........The Clairette de Gascogne, the white Jurançon, the Plant de graisse, the Meslier Saint François or the white and rosé Mauzac are the older varieties permitted though are quite rare today and represent only a few hectares of vines. 
FLUX ARMAGNAC
