Floc de Gascogne

The Floc de Gascogne is a typical regional aperitif out of the Côtes de Gascogne and Armagnac area, in southwestern France, in French called the Sud-Ouest.

Characteristics

It is a mistelle, a vin de liqueur (a fortified sweet wine) made of 1/3 of Armagnac and 2/3 of fresh grape juice both from the wine area "Armagnac " / "Côtes de Gascogne". Both of these must be produced by the same vineyard.

There is a rosé and a white version the alcohol percentage is between 16-18 % vol. After blending, the Floc is kept for 10 months in the cellar of the producer and must be approved by a committee of experts before it can be sold under the Appelation d'Origine Floc de Gascogne. [Maison des Producteurs du Floc de Gascogne, F-32 800 Eauze.] Since 1990 the de "Floc de Gascogne" can call itself Appellation d'origine contrôlée.

It is used as an aperitif and sometimes with the dessert. One drinks it cooled and never on ice. Almond, jasmine, roses, honey, black fruit and condiments are the characteristics of the aromas. Floc should be drunk within a year after the production.

The area produces mainly white Vin de Pays and Armagnac it is for the greater part situated in the departement Gers and is a part of the French region Midi-Pyrénées.

The Armagnac / Côtes de Gascogne region

The region is divided in three distinct production areas [ [http://www.floc-de-gascogne.fr Comité Interprofessionnel du Floc de Gascogne] ] :

*"Bas-Armagnac"
*"Armagnac-Ténarèze"
*"Haut-Armagnac"

it lays over three departments Gers, Lot-et-Garonne and the Landes. Only grapes harvested in this region may be distilled to Armagnac. The Armagnac area and the Côtes de Gascogne have the same borders. The whole AOC covers vineyards totaling 15.000 hectares.

Grape varieties

* Floc de Gascogne blanc: Colombard, Ugni blanc and Gros Manseng.
* Floc de Gascogne rosé: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

References