🥃 Armagnac Ténarèze

Armagnac Ténarèze is an additional geographical name for armagnac from the central part of its zone in Gascony. The grapes for this brandy are harvested in 76 communes of the Gers and Lot-et-Garonne départements, notably around Condom, Montréal and Nérac, while winemaking, distillation and ageing take place within the AOC “Armagnac” zone.

Ténarèze lies between the sandy west and the clayey east. The 2025 specification notes that both formations occur in the centre of the zone: marine “Sables fauves” (tawny sands) with acid soils, and continental molasse with hard limestone layers. The rivers here, as in Gascony generally, have cut asymmetric valleys: the east-facing slopes are gentle, while the west-facing ones are steep and often wooded.

The technology is the same as for all armagnac. The wine, from ten permitted varieties, is 7.5–12% ABV, is not sulphited and is distilled by 31 March of the following year. The continuous copper “Armagnac” still yields a spirit of 52–72.4% ABV, the alembic à repasse after the second distillation 65–72.4% ABV. Ageing lasts at least a year in oak barrels, and only then is the armagnac sold, at 40% ABV or more.

The name “Armagnac Ténarèze” is written in the same field of vision as “Armagnac”; in the old EU list it carried a hyphen: “Armagnac-Ténarèze”. The boundaries of this part were set as early as the decree of 25 May 1909. Armagnacs are often blended from different years and varieties, and sometimes released with a vintage year.

Why this matters to you. “Ténarèze” on a label guarantees that the grapes come from the centre of the zone; it is neither a separate drink nor a mark of age. Age and style depend on ageing and blending, so read the whole label. WHO reminds: there is no safe dose of alcohol.