The history of vineyards in the Gers dates back to ancient times, even before the Gallo-Roman era. Vines cover most of the western part of the department. The combination of ground, climate and know-how all give the wines of Gascony a unique wealth and variety. Wine production is famous mainly for Armagnac, the king of eau de vie, which is thought to be one of the oldest spirits in the world, but there are the AOC regions of Madiran and Pacherenc and the VDQS of Saint Mont.. 1. ARMAGNAC Armagnac is divided into three production areas (totalling 15,000 hectares), the outline of which curiously resembles the form of a vine leaf. - Bas-Armagnac - Armagnac-Ténarèze - Haut-Armagnac The wooded hills of Bas-Armagnac tend to produce a supple, fairly fast-maturing brandy. Ténarèze style is richer, aromatic and needs more time to develop. Haut-Armagnac only accounts for 2% of Armagnac production, but many consider it to have the finest nose and is the drink of the true connoisseur. The vineyards of Armagnac concentrate on four grape varieties: Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Folle Blanche and the hybrid Baco Armagnacs are classified according to their age. The young clear Armagnac eau de vie is often drunk between courses as 'Trou Gascon'. Older Armagnacs are classified as follows: Trois Etoiles - Armagnacs at least two years of age. VO et VSOP - Armagnacs of five years or more. XO - Armagnacs of six years or more. Hors d'Age - blended eaux de vie with at least 10 years in the barrel. Le Millesime - the vintages corresponding to the year on the label (10 years minimum) Armagnac is also used in the preparation of a number of fruit-based products (such as prunes in Armagnac) or for Gascon cocktails. 2. FLOC DE GASCOGNE The result of blending fresh grape juice and young Armagnac, prepared according to an old 16th century peasant tradition. Available in red, white or rosy, it is excellent as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to melons, foie gras, desserts or fresh fruit. Today 1.3 million bottles are produced by 200 producers, exports mainly to Belgium and Canada . 3. THE MADIRAN VINEYARDS (A.O.C.) These vineyards are mainly in the south west Gers but extend over three departments. Madiran was used for a long time as a wine for mass, where it gained its renown thanks to the pilgrims who sampled it on the route to Santiago de Compostella. Receiving it's AOC in 1948, these dark reds are very rich in tannin, full-bodied and well constructed. Their uniqueness comes from the Tannat grape, which generally accounts for 60-80% of the blend. When young, Madiran gives aromas of red and black fruits (blackcurrants and raspberries), as it ages the tannins round out and develop a more spicy, coffee and vanilla aroma. The wine is ideal with the local duck and cassoulet cuisine. The white wines are called Pacherenc and are available either dry or sweet and are powerful and rich, exuding complex perfumes of fruits and flowers. The sweet Pacherenc Vic Bilh is an ideal companion to foie gras. 4. CÔTES SAINT-MONT (VDQS) Bordering Madiran in the south west of the department right in the heart of Gascony, Saint Mont is a very old vineyard which went into decline in the 19th and early part of the 20th century. It was revived in 1958 to produce good quality wines and received the VDQS status in 1981; thanks to the efforts of the local wine growers it is now producing wines whose quality is unquestionable. Red, white or rosé-they are all fine wines thanks to the quality of the soil. 5. CÔTES DE GASCOGNE (Vin de Pays) The 8th largest wine producing region in France and the largest white wine exporting area. Grape varieties grown include Colombard, Ugni Blanc, Cabernet Franc and for the red and rosé wines Tannat and Merlot. Over 90% of the wine produced is white and most is exported, the UK being a major consumer. There is an increasing number of very good value and widely acclaimed wines bearing the imprint of the local soil and the knowhow of the Gascon vine growers. The 56 independent wine producers of the region welcome visitors for tastings and there are five recommended wine routes to explore. 6 CÔTES DE CONDOMOIS (Vin de Pays) The smallest AOC in France this wine-growing area stretches around the town of Condom. Grapes grown include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to make a soft quaffable every day drinking red wine, Colombard and Ugni-Blanc for the refreshing whites and for blending to make the pleasant summer-drinking rosé.