Henri Giraud Champagne — Grand Cru d’Aÿ and Fûts d’Argonne since 1625

Founded in 1625 by the Hémart family in Aÿ-Champagne, Henri Giraud is one of Champagne’s oldest winemaking dynasties. Under the leadership of Emmanuelle Giraud-Patour and cellar master Sébastien Le Golvet, it upholds a radically unique philosophy: ageing exclusively in oak barrels from the Argonne Forest, without ever using stainless steel vats. The Pinot Noirfrom the Aÿ Grand Cru — with a south-facing aspect on chalky subsoil through which the cool breezes of the Marne flow — forms the central theme of the entire range. As the first Champagne house to be independently tested as pesticide-residue-free in 2018, Henri Giraud embodies a rare form of agricultural luxury: absolute harmony between terroir, forest and bottle. Robert Parker has hailed its champagnes as ‘among the most exceptional and original’ in the region.

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The Henri Giraud cuvées — From Esprit Nature to Argonne

The Henri Giraud range comprises ten cuvées made from Pinot Noir grapes from the Aÿ Grand Cru.L’Esprit Nature, produced without pesticides, is perfect as an aperitif or with oysters. The MV (Multivintage) cuvée and its MV Rosé, aged in Argonne oak barrels, pair well with roast poultry and fine fish.L’Hommage, made from 100% Pinot Noir, complements a risotto or sweetbreads. The Blanc de Craie, with its chalky minerality, enhances caviar and shellfish. The Dame-Jane in a 3-litre format and the Code Noir — one of Champagne’s first single-varietal Pinot Noir cuvées — round off a highly ambitious range.

The Argonne andArgonne Rosé cuvées, the house’s flagship wines, are designed to be cellared for ten years or more: served at 10–12 °C in a Burgundy glass, they reveal ripe black fruits, chalk and sweet spices of rare depth. The Côteaux Champenois Rouge R000, known as Triple Zéro, is a still Pinot Noir with no added sulphur, best enjoyed with white meat or a mature hard cheese.

Discover the full Henri Giraud range at Pépites en Champagne — an artisanal selection, personalised advice, gift sets available, and careful delivery throughout France and Europe.

Henri Giraud — Four centuries in the Aÿ Grand Cru

The history of Henri Giraud dates back to 1625, when François Hémart established his vineyard in Aÿ-Champagne. To mark the 400th anniversary of the Giraud-Hémart family in 2025, the house cultivates 15 hectares of its own vineyards on the south-facing slopes of the Grand Cru vineyards of Aÿ and Louvois. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grow on exceptional chalky subsoil, traversed by the cool currents of the Marne, ensuring the house’s characteristic mineral tension.

The winemaking process is based on a firm conviction: some 1,000 Argonne oak barrels are used each year to produce 250,000 bottles. A sandstone barrel lining — a process patented by the house — removes harsh tannins without aggressive filtration, preserving the terroir’s full mineral character. In partnership with the ONF, Henri Giraud has planted 45,000 oak trees in the Argonne Forest, cementing its age-old connection with this Champagne forest for the long term.

Domaine Henri Giraud — The House’s History and Legacy

Your questions about Henri Giraud champagnes

What is the difference between the Esprit Nature, MV and Argonne vintages?

The Henri Giraud range is structured around a progression in complexity. Esprit Nature is the entry-level wine: affordable, pesticide-free and ideal for those new to the range. The MV (Multivintage) offers a balance of fruit and oak, resulting from a blend of several vintages aged in Argonne oak barrels. L’Argonne represents the pinnacle: Pinot Noir Grand Cru d’Aÿ aged in selected barrels, designed for special occasions and cellars where wines are laid down for the long term.

What food and wine pairings go well with Henri Giraud champagne?

Esprit Nature and MV are perfect with oysters, scallops and a refined aperitif. L’Hommage and L’Argonne reveal their full flavour when paired with truffled poultry, sweetbreads or a long-matured Comté. The Blanc de Craie enhances caviar and fine fish. The Code Noir, made from 100% Pinot Noir, complements roast pigeon or game in sauce. The Côteaux Champenois Rouge R000 pairs well with white meat or hard cheese.

How should Henri Giraud champagne be served and stored?

The Esprit Nature and MV vintages should be served at 8–10 °C and can be enjoyed immediately after purchase. The Argonne, Hommage and Code Noir cuvées benefit from being left to mature for 5 to 10 years in the cellar (10–12 °C, away from light, at a constant humidity). At the table, a Burgundy glass enhances their aromatic expression, whereas a standard flute would restrict it. The 3-litre Dame-Jane benefits from an even slower maturation process and greater longevity.

Where can I buy Henri Giraud champagne online?

Discover the full Henri Giraud range at Pépites en Champagne — an artisanal selection, expert advice, and express delivery throughout France and Europe.

Why does Henri Giraud never use stainless steel vats, unlike most other wineries?

Unlike almost all other champagnes, Henri Giraud ages its entire production in oak barrels sourced from the Argonne Forest, a historic Champagne forest renowned for its fine-grained wood. This oak lends roundness and oxidative complexity without overpowering the chalky minerality. A sandstone barrel lining, patented by the house, removes harsh tannins. The house has planted 45,000 oak trees in partnership with the ONF to secure this supply in the long term.

What makes the Aÿ Grand Cru terroir unique compared to other Champagne Grand Crus?

Aÿ is one of the few villages in the Montagne de Reims classified as Grand Cru that excels in Pinot Noir. Its deep chalky subsoil, south-facing aspect and the cool breeze from the Marne, which tempers the summers, create a unique profile: powerful black fruit, mineral tension and a structure conducive to ageing — qualities that the House of Henri Giraud has been bringing out and preserving for four centuries.

About

Champagne Henri Giraud — the essentials

Founded in: 1625
Founder: Famille Hémart (François Hémart, 1625) ; marque Henri Giraud fondée au XXe siècle par Henri Giraud, fils de Léon Giraud et Madeleine Hémart
House / owner: Giraud (Emmanuelle Giraud-Patour, présidente)
Location: Aÿ-Champagne, Marne
Vineyard: 15 ha en propriété (+ 15 ha approvisionnement extérieur)
Grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Cellar master: Sébastien Le Golvet
Distinctions: Zéro Résidu de Pesticides — 1re maison de Champagne testée indépendamment (janv. 2018), Robert Parker WA #186 (déc. 2009) : 'l'un des champagnes les plus exceptionnels et originaux', Partenariat ONF — 45 000 chênes plantés en forêt d'Argonne (5 000/an par bouteille Argonne), 400e anniversaire Famille Giraud-Hémart (1625–2025)
Cuvées: Esprit Nature, MV (Multivintage), MV Rosé, Hommage, Blanc de Craie, Dame-Jane

Henri Giraud Champagne — Grand Cru d’Aÿ and Fûts d’Argonne since 1625

Buy Henri Giraud champagnes online

The Henri Giraud cuvées — From Esprit Nature to Argonne

Henri Giraud — Four centuries in the Aÿ Grand Cru

Your questions about Henri Giraud champagnes

Champagne Henri Giraud — the essentials

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