WBW #43, or Breathe, Michelle, Just Breathe

So here’s the thing. I’m at the height of stressed right now. Between trying to get things out for clients (you know, my REAL job), all the last minute craziness of organizing the Benefit, dealing with taxes as a freelancer, and well, just life in general right now, I’m stressed. Even, I might say, angry and at the end of my rope. So I truly welcome this Wine Blogging Wednesday (although I stressed out at the idea of having to even write a post in the midst of everything else).
The theme for this 43rd outing of our monthly adventure is Comfort Wines.

Yep. Comfort Wines. Sort of like comfort food. For me, a comfort food is homemade macaroni and cheese or chicken and dumplings. So what wine do I turn to when I’m falling apart (like right now)? None.
When I’m stressed, or upset, or anything requiring comfort, I don’t turn to wine. So you could say I’m bending the rules a bit on this WBW, but hear me out.

I turn to Armagnac. More specifically, when I need comfort "wine," I turn to Chateau du Tariquet Bas-Armagnac 8-Year. (It also comes in 12, but I seem to prefer the 8.) I pay around $50 for this at Party Source.

What is Armagnac? Like Cognac, Armagnac is a type of brandy. However, Armagnac tends to be less expensive, and often just as good if not better, than many Cognacs available. Like wine, these types of spirits are made from grapes. My Bas-Armagnac is made exclusively from the Folle Blanche grape from a single harvest. It is then aged in French Oak for 8 years. See – I’m not that far off from wine am I? For my particular Bas-Armagnac, the grapes are distilled separately in a traditional continuous still,
a wood-burning Armagnac alembic, on the location at Chateau de Tariquet. (I learned this from the back of the bottle.) My bottle was distilled in 1998, bottled in November, 2006.

Armagnac is smooth and wonderful. It has the ability to relax me and it almost forces me to chill out a little. I tend to add 1 or 2 ice cubes to any pour, which helps release more flavors.

There’s a bit of oak in my Armagnac, although less than in the 12 year. I don’t mind it, however, as I might in a chardonnay. It’s accented by vanilla, cinnamon, and all sorts of things that make me think of curling up by a crackling fire, in a fuzzy blanket, and just sipping. Those are the sorts of flavors that force me to just STOP and BREATHE.

I think I’ll go have some right now.

Many thanks to Joel for hosting this. I suspect he’ll be needing comfort wines with WBW and a new little baby at home. Congrats on the little one Joel!

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Posted by Michelle at 12:01 am in Spirits, Tastings, WBW | Permalink | Comments (1)

One Response to “WBW #43, or Breathe, Michelle, Just Breathe”

noble pig says:

March 9, 2008 at 10:55 am

Wow, a girl after my own heart!
During my wine education I took a fantastic class on distillation. We learned about the ins and out of making spirits and spent time on each one learning intently about it.
That’s where my fascination with Armagnac came into play. I was curious about these farmers who made this wonderful spirit.
I have since tasted many Armagnacs and really enjoy them.
Glad to know there’s other girls out there that feel the same.
Sorry about your sister. I can’t even imagine what you are going through.