Floc de Gascogne

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Accessory grape varieties

Terroir

• The temperate oceanic climate shows a gradual gradient from west to east, moving from a strong oceanic influence to a more continental climate.
• The western half experiences regular and abundant rainfall with no dry spell in summer, while the eastern half undergoes summer drought until the late-summer storms.
• In the west, the "Sables Fauves" predominate, a marine formation partly covered by loess-derived silts, bearing leached, acidic silty to silty-sandy soils called "boulbènes".
• Further east, the Sables Fauves give way to molasse, a clayey continental formation with hard limestone bands, giving deep clay soils called "terreforts" or shallow, stony calcareous soils called "peyrusquets".
• The geographical area extends over three départements: Gers with 245 communes, Landes with 25 communes, and Lot-et-Garonne with 16 communes.

• The term "Floc" means "bouquet of flowers" in Gascon, and the name "Floc d'Armagnac" first appeared as a brand during 1954 and 1955.
• The must and the Armagnac brandy used in making Floc de Gascogne must both come from the same estate.
• The appellation d'origine contrôlée was recognised in 1990 for white and rosé wines, following the creation in 1976 of the Syndicat de défense du Floc de Gascogne.

• The vin de liqueur has an actual alcoholic strength by volume of between 16% and 18%, resulting from a balance between the contributions of the must and those of the Armagnac appellation brandy.
• In rosé vins de liqueur, red-berry aromas generally dominate, while in whites, floral and white-fruit aromas are often expressed, in a young, fresh and fruity style in which aromas of evolution are generally not sought.
• Floc is enjoyed as an apéritif, chilled and without ice, at an optimal tasting temperature of 6°C. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

• Heavy rainfall in the west or soils with a high water-retention capacity in the east ensure a steady water supply, which preserves freshness in the musts and an acidity that balances the warmth of the Armagnac brandy.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in France

Sources

• Official INAO text (show_texte)
• INAO product entry
• Official trade body site — BNIA