The gist: Founded in 1832, the old Armagnac trading house has been able to adapt to the new marketing rules, as evidenced by the sale of environmentally friendly bottles
For the third time in a row, the French Spirits Association was represented at the International Agricultural Exhibition. Her stand provided visitors with examples of spirits houses to understand how their production shapes agricultural landscapes, enriches cultural heritage and stimulates local activity, and she introduced the environmentally conscious approach. In Mauléon-d'Armagnac, in the charming Domaine de Maniban, with its 16th-century castle and 16 hectares of vines, Maison Armagnac Castarède works only with local companies for its packaging, bottles, boxes, labels and barrels. These are made or repaired by the last cooper in the Landes, Gilles Bartholomo.
The still comes from Florence Castarède's grandfather in 1923 and was renovated by Sofac de Condom, the only company that repairs and manufactures stills. Florence Castarède represents the sixth generation of this family house, founded in 1832 and the oldest trading house in Armagnac. Florence Castadère remembers that Baron Haussmann urged his ancestor To in the commercial register of the time: “Day after day I am committed to continuing the work of my ancestors by defending the art of living of the Southwest and its conviviality and them all over the world promote our beautiful Armagnac.
Environmentally conscious bottle
On the occasion of the 190th anniversary of the House of Castarède, Florence wanted to commemorate this anniversary with an original environmentally conscious bottle: “There were three grape varieties on the domaine: Folle Blanche, Ugni Blanc and Colombard. Five years ago We added Baco. The 2020 vintage of this harvest, aged in oak barrels for three years, was bottled in a new bottle “The Green Gen Bottle”.
The Green Gen Bottle, designed in Toulouse, immediately impressed Maison Castarède with its many qualities: “It is light, strong and recyclable. It consists of a composite of light and robust braided linen fibers and bio-based plant resin. , all of them.” offers high resistance and excellent insulation properties.” Florence Castadère further clarified: “This bottle is made of French linen from organic, environmentally conscious and sustainable cultivation.”
This year Castarède was rewarded with a silver medal for its Armagnac at the agricultural fair. “Despite its age, Maison Castarède remains young, dynamic, open to new technologies and sensitive to the environment,” laughs Florence Castadère. “At 190 years old!”