Armagnac Academies returns to New York
After an over subscribed event last year, the educational programme ‘Armagnac Academies’ returns to the Astor Center, 399 Lafayette Street in central New York on Tuesday 8th March 2016.
Organised by the B.N.I.A. (Bureau National Interprofessionnel de l’Armagnac), the official Armagnac office in Gascony, Armagnac Academies is a day-long programme of lectures and tastings specifically for the trade that will cover the subject in great depth taking the privileged audience into the rural world of the Armagnac region in southwest France.
Candidates will learn all about the history, the people and philosophy, the different productions zones, soil types, grape varieties permitted in the AOC, the wine making, distillation methods, the oak used, ageing, cellars, nomenclature and more.
Distillates from the main grapes straight from the alambic will be tasted to show the influence and diversity that varietals bring, blends from the different regions will be compared, a plethora of different blends from different houses will show the complexity of styles, not to mention six vintages from various houses and Blanche Armagnac.
This year, Jillian Vose, from The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog, the acclaimed bar that won World’s best bar 2015 at Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award will be our guest speaker whilst Amanda Garnham, from the BNIA in France will present the Academy alongside May Matta-Aliah, the BNIA’s New York Armagnac Ambassador.
At the end of the day, a 100 question multiple-choice exam will be held and successful candidates will earn an official BNIA diploma issued from France. Marks are awarded as follows: Pass 50-70, Credit 71-90, Distinction <90.
The highest score achieved will be rewarded with a trip to the Armagnac region to witness the Armagnac distillation first hand.
This is a fabulous opportunity for sommeliers, bartenders, spirits merchants and importers to widen their knowledge of Armagnac enabling them to reply to demands from their customers with confidence and credibility. There are only 36 places available so it is advisable to book as soon as possible. To find out more about the event, visit http://armagnac-academy-nyc.com
The last Armagnac Academy was held in Guanghzhou, Canton, China last November and there will be one coming soon in London.