Floc de Gascogne
The fruit, tradition, and elegance of a Gascon aperitif
The birth of a Gascon legend
Floc de Gascogne, the emblematic aperitif of the Gascon terroir, was officially born at Château Garreau in 1974!
Floc de Gascogne is much more than an aperitif: it is a Gascon tradition, a heritage of craftsmanship, and an invitation to the pleasure of tasting.
The story of Floc de Gascogne is closely linked to that of Château Garreau.
Floc de Gascogne comes from a 16th-century recipe, revived by Charles Garreau and seven other winemakers who, after a struggle worthy of the Musketeers, obtained authorization to produce and market it. Thus, in 1974, the first official production took place at Château Garreau under Charles Garreau, who also became the first president of the Floc de Gascogne producers’ union.
Floc de Gascogne has been a protected designation of origin (AOC) since 1990, with strict production standards and a defined geographical area.
What is Floc de Gascogne?
All about freshness and fruit!
“Lou Floc” means bouquet of flowers in Gascon.
Floc de Gascogne is a vin de liqueur crafted from a subtle blend of:
2/3 fresh grape juice, called “must,” just pressed,
1/3 young Armagnac from the same estate.
The principle of a vin de liqueur is to combine fresh grape juice (mutage) with alcohol. For Floc de Gascogne, the young Armagnac stops the juice from fermenting, preserving all its freshness, sweetness, and natural fruitiness. The spirit of Floc lies in its pure, fruity expression.
A simple rule that gives each producer the freedom to create their own Floc, depending on grape maturity and chosen varieties, always within AOC standards.
At Château Garreau, Ugni Blanc, Colombard, and Gros Manseng are used for the white Floc; Merlot and Cabernet Franc for the rosé (also called red). Fruit, freshness, and just the right amount of natural sweetness ensure perfect harmony with the Armagnac also distilled on the estate.
Other vins de liqueur exist in France, such as Pineau des Charentes, Macvin, Carthagène, or Ratafia de Champagne. Floc de Gascogne is produced within the same appellation area as Armagnac, parts of Landes, Gers, and Lot-et-Garonne.
Flavors and tasting moments
- White Floc: floral, fruity, with notes of pear, honey, and white flowers.
- Rosé (red) Floc: rich, intense, with red fruit, plum, and soft spice notes.
Always served well chilled, it can be enjoyed as an aperitif, in cocktails, or at the table, paired with dishes like foie gras, cheese, or fruity desserts.
