
Tuscany, Armagnac
Tuscany is the oldest wine region in Italy, with a long history dating back over 2700 years. The region is on the Western coast of Italy, stretching from the coastline of the Tyrrhenian Sea all the way to the Apennine mountains, with the majority of the region being quite hilly.
Contributing to around 6% of Italy's total wine output, Tuscany is the third most planted region, but only the eight biggest producer. Much of this can be attributed to the hilly terroir and poor soils leading to lower yields, but generally higher quality wines. The region produces far more red than white wine, and is responsible for two of the most famous Italian red wines, Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino.
Chianti was first classified in 1716, and the region of Tuscany now has 29 DOC and 7 DOCG classifications. In the 1970s 'Super Tuscan' wines emerged of supreme quality, commanding very high prices. Although they were initially produced outside the DOC or DOCG zones, most of the regions have since been classified, though some producers still opt to use the simpler and less restrictive IGT labelling.
The famous red wine Chianti is based on the the Sangiovese variety, though is most commonly blended with Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon. The blending of multiple grapes is common, even Bordeaux blends can be found. White wines produced include Vermentino, Vernaccia, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay.
Although Armagnac is the oldest brandy distilled in France it has taken a back row seat to its more famous cousin Cognac. Not to be confused with Cognac (to the North of Bordeaux,) Armagnac lies between the Adour and Garonne rivers in the foothills of the Pyrenees.
Armagnac was never produced in the same vast quantities that Cognac has been produced and as such, was and continues to be produced by mainly smaller, family-owned producers rather than the ‘big players’ in Cognac.
There are ten different grape varieties used in the production of Armagnac, but four grape varieties in particular provide the backbone for the majority of Armagnacs. Always blended, the four main grape varieties are Baco 22A, Colombard, Folle Blanche and Ugni Blanc.
United Cellars import a wide range of Armagnacs from key producers such as Delord, Castarede, Comte de Lamaestre, Maison Gélas and many more!
Contributing to around 6% of Italy's total wine output, Tuscany is the third most planted region, but only the eight biggest producer. Much of this can be attributed to the hilly terroir and poor soils leading to lower yields, but generally higher quality wines. The region produces far more red than white wine, and is responsible for two of the most famous Italian red wines, Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino.
Chianti was first classified in 1716, and the region of Tuscany now has 29 DOC and 7 DOCG classifications. In the 1970s 'Super Tuscan' wines emerged of supreme quality, commanding very high prices. Although they were initially produced outside the DOC or DOCG zones, most of the regions have since been classified, though some producers still opt to use the simpler and less restrictive IGT labelling.
The famous red wine Chianti is based on the the Sangiovese variety, though is most commonly blended with Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon. The blending of multiple grapes is common, even Bordeaux blends can be found. White wines produced include Vermentino, Vernaccia, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay.
Although Armagnac is the oldest brandy distilled in France it has taken a back row seat to its more famous cousin Cognac. Not to be confused with Cognac (to the North of Bordeaux,) Armagnac lies between the Adour and Garonne rivers in the foothills of the Pyrenees.
Armagnac was never produced in the same vast quantities that Cognac has been produced and as such, was and continues to be produced by mainly smaller, family-owned producers rather than the ‘big players’ in Cognac.
There are ten different grape varieties used in the production of Armagnac, but four grape varieties in particular provide the backbone for the majority of Armagnacs. Always blended, the four main grape varieties are Baco 22A, Colombard, Folle Blanche and Ugni Blanc.
United Cellars import a wide range of Armagnacs from key producers such as Delord, Castarede, Comte de Lamaestre, Maison Gélas and many more!
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- Winner of a Gold medal at the Mundus Vini Grand International Wine Award for Meininger's Magazine 2018. A nose of complex earthy spices and a more obvious oak character (16 months in 40% new French Barriques) speak of the quality of this wine ... Learn MoreRenzo Masi Basciano Chianti Riserva Docg 2016$29.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Bas Armagnac Delord XO is aged for a minimum of 6 years and has a gorgeous burnished/tawny/bronze colour. ... Learn MoreDelord Xo - 10 Years Bas Armagnac (200Ml)$39.99 Per item
- The grapes come from vineyards consisting of shale (Galestro) 70%, sandstone (Arenaria-Calcare-Pietraforte) 20%, limestone (Alberese) 10%. The vineyards age range from plantings 2003-2010. The vinification and maturation is reminiscent of a more traditional style Chianti Classico. Intense mountain herbs, aromas of cranberry, wild ... Learn MoreRetromarcia Chianti Classico Docg 2017$39.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Villa Antinori is, firstand foremost,an idea,a way of conceiving the production of wine: on the one hand, experimentation and evolution, on the other hand, continuityin tradition. Sangiovese and other complementary grape varieties render their homage to an historic ... Learn More
- Le Miccine is a family owned winery and vineyard that is lead by a dynamic and young team. Winemaker Paula Cook was born in Quebec, Canada, but moved to her grandparent's ancestral home of Tuscany in 2008, buying an estate that ... Learn MoreLe Miccine Chianti Classico Docg 2017$44.99 Per item
- Subtle and elegant. Composed of 2/3 of grape juice and 1/3 of Cognac (approximately, the exact percentage is our secret), blended just after the grape harvesting. Aged in oak barrels more than 18 month after the blend Aromas of fresh fruit with hints ... Learn MoreFrancois Voyer Mistelle Blanc$46.99 Per item
- Winemaker Notes - Estate-grown, hand-harvested grapes are fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with approximately 15 days maceration. During fermentation, delestage and pumping-over takes place twice a day. After the malolactic fermentation, the wine is racked into barrels and 4,000 liter casks ... Learn MoreIsole E Olena Chianti Classico Docg 2017$50.00 Per itemOut of stock
- "Querciabella has been on a roll over the last few years" Antonio Galloni Perfumed and pretty, red cherry and strawberry, dusting of pepper and spice. Light and fresh, wonderful savoury note to go with the beautiful cherries notes of Sangiovese. ... Learn MoreQuerciabella Chianti Classico 2016$50.00 Per item
- “Without a shadow of a doubt, Andrea Cortonesi of Uccelliera lands high on my list of favorite Brunello di Montalcino producers.” – The Wine Advocate ... Learn MoreUccelliera Rosso Di Montalcino 2015$55.00 Per itemOut of stock
- Ornellaia has established itself among the iconic wine estates in Italy (and beyond). The estate is dedicated to producing charming and opulent wines, full of Mediterranean character and finesse, reflecting the estate’s unique terroir in Bolgheri on the Tuscan ... Learn MoreLe Volte Dell' Ornellaia 2017$59.99 Per item
- Montalcino is one of the grand Italian wine regions, developed in the 19th Century by Ferruccio Biondi-Santi from a clone of Sangiovese known as Sangiovese Grosso or locally Brunello. One of the first varietal Tuscan wines intended for ageing. Rosso ... Learn MoreVal Di Suga Rosso Di Montalcino 2017$59.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Le Miccine is a family owned winery and vineyard that is lead by a dynamic and young team. Winemaker Paula Cook was born in Quebec, Canada, but moved to her grandparent's ancestral home of Tuscany in 2008, buying an estate that ... Learn MoreLe Miccine Chianti Riserva Docg 2016$59.99 Per itemOut of stock
- One of the grand Italian wines, developed in the 19th Century by Ferruccio Biondi-Santi from a clone of Sangiovese known as Sangiovese Grosso or locally Brunello. One of the first varietal Tuscan wines for ageing. Ageing is for 50 months for ... Learn MoreVal Di Suga Brunello Di Montalcino 2014$89.99 Per itemOut of stock
- In 1987, Paolo De Marchi grafted Chardonnay onto existing vines on the Isole e Olena estate. Since then they have produced some of Tuscany’s finest Chardonnay. An inviting golden colour with perfumes of toasted, buttery almonds. An inviting golden colour. ... Learn MoreIsole E Olena Chardonnay Collezione Privata Igt 2017$94.99 Per itemOut of stock
- A remarkably lingering Armagnac, eloquent proof that a four-year-old brandy can already be very good. ... Learn More
- Le Miccine is a family owned winery & vineyard that is lead by a dynamic & young team. Winemaker Paula Cook was born in Quebec, Canada, but moved to her grandparent's ancestral home of Tuscany in 2008, buying an estate that had been ... Learn MoreLe Miccine Chianti Gran Selezione Docg 2014$99.99 Per item
- Grape Variety : Ugni blanc, Folle Blanche , Colombard, Baco 22 A ... Learn MoreDelord 1996 Bas Armagnac$110.00 Per item
- The delicate finale emphasises the recent marriage of the fruit and the woody structure. A remarkably lingering Armagnac, eloquent proof that an eight year old brandy can already be very good ... Learn More
- Poggione was established in the 1800's and has built a reputation for high quality Brunello at below market pricing - Brunello di Montalcino is the most pure expression of Sangiovese that can be found. Sourced from the oldest vines on ... Learn MoreIl Poggione Brunello di Montalcino 2015$119.99 Per itemOut of stock
- The appellation Napoleon is a blend of Armagnac of at least 5 years old. Our Napoleon is a blend of Armagnacs which are around 15 years old. Gives ripe prune aromas and dry fruits. Is very smooth with some rancio notes. ... Learn MoreCastarede Napoleon - 15 Years Bas Armagnac$119.99 Per itemOut of stock
- ‘one of the great wines of Tuscany, but beyond that, it can also stand next to the very best Cabernets from anywhere in the world’ Antonio Galloni ... Learn MoreIsole E Olena 'Cepparello' Igt 2014$125.00 Per itemOut of stock
- Serving circumstance: After meal drinkServing temperature : Room TemperatureReady to drink ... Learn MoreDelord 1985 Bas Armagnac$129.99 Per item
- Light intensity, amber in colour and with pretty orangey tints ... Learn MoreDelord 1983 Bas Armagnac$132.99 Per item
- Founded in 1971 by Giovanni Neri who with his great vision and passion understood the huge potential of wine in the Montalcino territory, it was passed on to his son Giacomo in 1991.The production started in the Eastern part of Montalcino ... Learn MoreCasanova Di Neri Brunello Di Montalcino 2015$135.00 Per itemOut of stock
- Old gold, orange reflections ... Learn MoreComte De Lamaestre 1990 Bas Armagnac$144.99 Per item
- Founded by Primo Pacenti in 1962, in 1987 Primo was joined by son- in-law Pier Luigi Ripaccioli, and since 2001, Canalicchio di Sopra has been in the highly capable, thoughtful hands of Pier Luigi’s three children, Francesco, Simonetta and Marco. The Rosso ... Learn MoreOut of stock
- The exciting news from Le Ragnaie is the release of a new wine, made entirely with fruit from Montosoli. Otherwise, about half of the estate vineyards are located in the higher-elevation parts of the appellation. These locations usually show lots ... Learn MoreLe Ragnaie Brunello Di Montalcino Docg 2015$150.00 Per itemOut of stock
- An intriguing and complex Armagnac. ... Learn MoreComte De Lamaestre 1979 Bas Armagnac$159.01 Per item
- A clean, intense nose expressing softness with vanilla and a pleasant note of cocoa. The esters are subdued, and reveal exotic fragrances when the brandy is exposed to the air. This unusual Bas Armagnac brandies offer a comprehensive and surprising ... Learn More
- The aromas of crystallised stone-fruits and liquorice are the sign of a great Armagnac of which Gascony can be proud ... Learn More
- Serving circumstance: After meal drinkServing temperature : Room TemperatureReady to drink. ... Learn MoreDelord - 25 Year Old Bas Armagnac$165.00 Per item
- A boisterous 12 year old Bas Armagnac blended and bottled by the incomparable Darroze as part of their Grands Assemblages range. Hints of liquorice and cinnamon here, this really blossoms after a minute or two breathing in the glass. ... Learn More
- Fontodi is located in the heart of Chianti Classico precisely in the valley which lies south of the town of Panzano and is called the “Conca d’Oro” (the golden shell) because of its amphitheatre shape. A genuine and characteristc “ ... Learn MoreFontodi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 'Vigna Del Sorbo' 2015$170.01 Per itemOut of stock
- Folle Blanche is the historic variety of Armagnac which once dominated the vineyards before their destruction by phylloxera in 1878 ... Learn More
- It is impossible to exaggerate my enthusiasm for this set of new releases from Giovanni Manetti's venerable Fontodi. - Monica Larner ... Learn MoreFontodi 'Vigna Del Sorbo' Chianti Gran Selezione 2013$179.99 Per item
- The Il Carbonaione is a lovely mid-weight expression of Sangiovese produced by Podere Poggio Scalette ... Learn More
- Aged in oak barrels. This vintage bottled in 2016 has been aging for 29 years in oak barrels. This 1987 vintage is a powerful expression, fresh and fruit-driven on the nose. Hints of liquorice as well. It’s not as earthy as some ... Learn MoreCastarede 1987 Armagnac Ba$199.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Absolutely stunning Armagnac with incredible richness, spice, and balance. Big wood, lots of spice and vanilla, and a rustic fruit character with seamless execution. ... Learn MoreDarroze Armagnac Gba 20Yrs$204.99 Per item
- Founded in 1971 by Giovanni Neri who with his great vision and passion understood the huge potential of wine in the Montalcino territory, it was passed on to his son Giacomo in 1991.The production started in the Eastern part of Montalcino ... Learn MoreCasanova Di Neri Brunello Di Montalcino 'Tenuta Nuova' 2015$220.00 Per itemOut of stock
- Serving circumstance: After meal drinkServing temperature : Room TemperatureReady to drink ... Learn MoreDelord 1972 Bas Armagnac$220.00 Per item