When talking about Armagnac, we often mention the age, the vintage, the house. We less frequently talk about the grape variety — yet it is what shapes the deep character of the brandy, long before it goes into the barrel. At ARTEZ, we work with two emblematic grape varieties of Armagnac, sourced from our organic farming, vinified and distilled separately, without blending: Baco and Folle Blanche. Two stories, two profiles, the same philosophy of single grape variety and the same organic commitment, from grape to bottle.
Baco: power and structure
Baco is the most widely planted grape variety in Armagnac today, but it remains unjustly associated with mere robustness. In reality, it is a grape variety that produces brandies of great aromatic richness, capable of both power and complexity depending on their aging.
Our Armagnac Baco VSOP, made from grapes sourced from organic farming, expresses this identity in its most expressive version: ripe fruits, warm spices, subtle woody notes, with a long and enveloping finish. It is a generous Armagnac, crafted for lovers of characterful spirits both for pure tasting and in cocktails.
Pushed further in time, our Armagnac Baco Napoleon reveals a whole other dimension: dried fruits, candied spices, toasted wood, and a hint of vanilla, for a dense and persistent palate. It is Baco at its maturity, an Armagnac for connoisseurs, designed for those seeking depth.
Tasting advice: serve the baco slightly warmed, in a tulip glass, to allow its aromas of spices and ripe fruits to fully unfold.
The Folle Blanche: finesse and elegance
The Folle Blanche is a rarer grape variety, more difficult to cultivate, but remains one of the most emblematic of the historic South-West, the one that established the ancient reputation of Armagnac before the rise of Baco. It produces more delicate eaux-de-vie, focused on finesse rather than power.
Our Armagnac Folle Blanche VSOP, also certified organic, perfectly illustrates this profile: floral and fruity notes, a subtle woody touch, freshness, and true complexity despite its apparent lightness. It is an elegant and accessible Armagnac, ideal for those discovering the category without ever sacrificing character.
Tasting advice: serve the Folle Blanche slightly chilled, it then reveals all its floral freshness, an ideal gateway into the world of Armagnac for palates less accustomed to strong spirits.
An organic Armagnac, from grape to bottle
Beyond the choice of grape variety, our entire range comes from organic farming. A requirement that goes hand in hand with our artisanal approach. No chemical treatments on the plots, a vine cultivated in respect of the Gascon terroir, for eaux-de-vie that express their grape variety without intermediaries. For us, organic is not an added marketing argument: it is a logical continuation of handmade and single-varietal, three different ways of saying the same thing, fidelity to the raw product.
Why choose a single grape variety rather than a blend?
Most of the major Armagnac houses blend several grape varieties to achieve a consistency of taste from year to year. At ARTEZ, we make the opposite choice: to preserve the identity of each grape variety, without compromise, to offer singular expressions that can be traced back to the vineyard. This is more demanding in production, requiring us to treat each harvest separately, from pressing to bottling, but it allows you to truly taste the difference between a Baco and a Folle Blanche, rather than a generic armagnac.
This is also the heritage we have been perpetuating since 1995, passed down today to the second generation of the family: a handcrafted production, done by hand, that refuses standardization.
Which one to choose?
- You like spirituous powerful and structured → start with the Baco VSOP, and extend the experience with the Baco Napoléon for a more mature version.
- Do you prefer a smooth, floral, and fresh → the Folle Blanche VSOP is your best entry point into the world of Armagnac.