A place for organic Armagnac?

The development of sustainable agriculture, organic and even biodynamic is a worldwide trend and specifically in France.  Particularly concerned about their environment, the Armagnac producers are also very involved in the sustainable process.

Working the land requires respect for the environment.  Aware of what’s at stake, the Armagnac producers have been working for decades towards adopting a sustainable viticulture.

As regards the network, the producers are committed to a reduction in phytosanitary treatments, notably for the grape varieties like Baco that is naturally resistant to vine diseases. Meanwhile, in 2009, the sector established an energy audit in order to reduce its consumption of energy and emissions of greenhouse gas effects.  The use of sulphites in wine is otherwise prohibited.

Additionally, certain producers have chosen to take on a 100% organic viticulture approach.  This certification, that only currently covers the work on the vines, requires stopping the use of pesticides and replacing them with natural products whether it be for enriching the soils (plant compost and manure) or for fighting against the vine diseases (Bordeaux mixture and limited sulphur).

Going even further still, a few producers have adopted the principles of biodynamic agriculture.  This practice of organic agriculture also takes into account the influences of the lunar cycle and telluric forces for the work in the vines.  The use of plants is pushed even further to strengthen the immune system of the vines and enrich the ecosystem that surrounds them by introducing other species into the heart of the vineyard.

All of these efforts from generation to generation are aimed at preserving both the Armagnac territories and the human activity that depend on it for future generations.  Protect, improve and transmit: the key words for a sustainable agriculture that apply also to Armagnac.