I haven’t been doing enough brandy videos recently, to my shame. But now we’re hopping back in and going full nerd on it.
Today we pay homage to Folle Blanche, also known as Picpoule and Gros Plant, and the original grape of French brandy (before phylloxera wiped it out and it mostly got replanted with Ugni Blanc and Baco). I’ve done videos on 100% Folle Blanche Armagnacs before – e.g., the Tariquet 8 at and the Artez at – but never really drawn attention to the unique nature and history of the grape. But today that’s the main topic of discussion. We’re reviewing another pair of Armagnacs, and then there’s a bit of wonkery afterwards. Stats:
– Domaine de Baraillon Folle Blanche 2011 Bas-Armagnac (SCEA Claverie; bottled 10/19/21; 49% ABV), 87+/100
– Domaine d’Esperance Folle Blanche 2002 Bas-Armagnac (Cask No. 64, bottled 7/22; 49% ABV), 87/100
Guest starring a recent, 100% Folle Blanche batch of Atmosphères sparkling wine by Jo Landron, and a lot of history about winegrowing and brandy production in the area around Nantes (“Nantz” for you Brits) in the western Loire Valley.
Baraillon established itself in previous reviews (at and then during my birthday bash at ) as thoroughly rustic and totally phenomenal. But don’t discount d’Esperance, the producers behind some nifty PM Spirits products (see and ), especially when they’ve got a good ten years’ of aging beyond the folk from Lannemaignan. Very different brandies, but sharing in a delightful floral character. I think the Baraillon might be a hair bit better objectively, but really it’s down to personal taste: both of these ‘yaks are totally killer.
The Atmosphères was brilliant too, by the way. Stupid high acid even for “Gros Plant” that wasn’t harvested early, and it paired beautifully with swordfish a few hours after this recording.
Extra special thanks to my Different Spirits on Patreon ( –
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