Henri Giraud Chalk white

Champagne Henri Giraud price list


We'll introduce you to one of our partner estates: Champagne Giraud. Do you know the Champagne House Henri Giraud? This article will take you to the heart of the estate's history, where each cuvée is more harmonious than the next. With this guide, I invite you to discover this beautiful Champagne house. See also our other guides to the most beautiful wine estates.

The history of the champagne houses

The history of Champagne Giraud began in 1625, during the reign of Henri V and his heirs. The Hémart family must have returned to Aÿ in the early 17th century, where they found their roots and began the Champagne era in the 18th century.

In the early 20th century, Léon Giraud married Madeleine Hémart and restored the family vineyards ravaged by the phylloxera crisis. Their descendant Henry founded the company now run by his son Claude. The vineyard extends over the commune of Aÿ as well as Dizy and Mutigny. Claude also buys grapes harvested by pickers from friends and family. In 1980, Claude Giraud increased the proportion of wines aged in oak barrels. Today, most champagnes are aged in wooden barrels, and the wine is kept in stainless steel tanks.

Today

Today, the Champagne house is run by Claude Giraud, the 12th generation of the Giraud-Hémart family, members of the UMC whose famous cuvées bear the name "Argonne". Focusing on the pillars of the brand: Aÿ Grand Cru, Pinot Noir grapes and Argonne barrels, since 1990 he has restored history and rebuilt the first oak barrels 60 meters east of Reims. Miles of historic Champagne forests and famous barrels have produced champagne over ten centuries.

Experts come here every year to learn more about the effects of the geological composition of the different terroirs and forest soils on the taste and texture of the wines. The balance of Champagne Maison Henri Giraud is the region's success story. With only 250,000 bottles and a few thousand bottles left over for the cuvées, Champagne is now sought after by lovers of fine wines the world over.

Champagne is marked by the Pinot Noir d'Aÿ grape variety. The range developed in stainless steel vats is full-bodied and functional. They are perfect as aperitifs and also go well with light dishes. Those made in barrels are fuller and more dominant. Powerful, expressive and rich in content, they are one of the most concentrated Champagnes in the entire region, making them perfect for the whole meal.

Great Years for the House :

Find the house's most famous champagnes on our website. The bottles Henri Giraud come directly from the estate and are available immediately at the best prices at Comptoir des Millésimes. But before you taste, here are a few tips for these little champagne wonders.

HENRI GIRAUD CUVÉE ESPRIT BRUT NATURE :

Esprit Nature is the cuvée that best represents the estate's evolution. The blend is composed of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. It combines greed, happiness and balance. This is the spirit of the Champagne brand, whose aim is to produce the best possible product. The house is open to everything: in other words, it forbids itself nothing. This cuvée comes from the hills of Reims. It is aged in vats and malolactically fermented. Dosages range from 6 to 12 grams per liter. On the palate, it releases fresh, fruity flavors. It is served as an aperitif, but can also be enjoyed with meals.

HENRI GIRAUD CUVÉE BLANC DE CRAIE :

This is a special cuvée from the best chalky terroirs of the Montagnes de Reims. Made exclusively from Chardonnay, it dresses up this grape variety by giving it a new face, combining the fatness of the fruit with the minerality of the chalk. Traditionally brewed and aged in oak barrels for 6 months. The color is a delicate golden yellow, accentuated by light green reflections pierced by fine threads of foam. The nose is marked by citrus notes, very fresh and pleasant. Aromas of exotic fruits (pineapple, lychee, etc.). On the palate, it's very greedy, giving a clean, nourishing taste thanks to its fine minerality.

HENRI GIRAUD, a tribute to Pinot Noir :

This cuvée has been aged for 54 months, including 12 months on whole lees in small oak barrels, then 6 months on fine lees; 3 years in the cellar after bottling for a maximum Grand Vintage. This cuvée is made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes harvested exclusively on the Grand Cru d'Aÿ terroir. On opening, the wine shows beautiful air bubbles. The color is slightly amber. The nose is composed of white flowers with honeysuckle, yellow fruit and green almonds with a hint of menthol. On the palate, in addition to a light chocolate note, there are hints of pear and yellow fruit, dried apricots, with hints of orange peel and burlat (various cherries). Pairs well with sea bass with fennel, pork tenderloin or duck with citrus. Serve at around 12°C, except as an aperitif, when it should be served cooler, between 8 and 10°C. As an aperitif, you can choose verrines of foie gras and quinoa, or a snack of smoked trout seasoned with ginger.

HENRI GIRAUD, Dame Jane

Cuvée Dame Jane from Henri Giraud is a great rosé champagne!

A mythical goddess of fertility in clay marks the close link between the natural fertility of the earth and pottery, the original crucible of wine thousands of years before our era.

This champagne speaks of the generosity of its Pinot Noir (from vines over 60 years old), clinging to the southern chalk, aged in oak barrels in the Argonne forest and matured in AOC terracotta red wines.

Flavors of red fruits, wild strawberries, raspberries, brioche and toast explode on the palate, and the mouth is crisp and greedy. Without a doubt, this Cuvée Dame Jane from Henri Giraud is a success!

Very elegant, this champagne has enormous cellaring potential (around 10 years) and can be enjoyed happily with meats such as sliced beef or roast veal kidneys throughout a meal. .

HENRI GIRAUD, MV 17

Champagne Henri Giraud Fût de Chêne MV represents the expression of Maison Giraud style, in a unique bottle with a clasp. This Pinot Noir-based cuvée gives off complex, powerful and rich aromas, imbued with the terroir of Aÿ and the vinification in oak barrels. The bubbles stay well and add freshness to the premium cuvées. Extraordinary champagne for gourmets.

HENRI GIRAUD AY GRAND CRU :

A blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, this cuvée is matured for 12 months in wood, aged for a minimum of 8 years on its lees, fermented in barrels, and uses 50-year-old vines. It is only produced in the best years, such as 1990, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004 or 2005. In a period marked by wood vinification, the final vintage is more harmonious and complex. This cuvée is dark yellow/gold. It's a luxurious blend with lots of toasty oak and flecks. Tastes of acorn leaf, ripe fruit flavors, great purity and surprising freshness. The Chardonnay is very good on the nose and palate. It's rich and intense, with perfect structure and fruity aromas. The finish is grippy, long, complex, salty and very aromatic. It's a fine reflection of the Aÿ terroir. While beautiful and rich, it may not be for everyone. Total production is 30,000 bottles.

An outsider with a strong character