Henri Giraud has become the champagne brand everyone knows about. The situation changed markedly after the famous American wine critic Robert Parker described it as ‘the greatest champagne you've never heard of’ and often repeated this phrase, adding that ‘in his opinion, this is what Krug should look like’. Henri Giraud Champagne continues to follow its unique principles, unafraid to go against tradition and conventional norms in the world of luxury wines. This approach has turned it into a modern legend.
The production of Henri Giraud Champagne is limited, especially when it comes to the premium vintage cuvée Argönne. In 2013, for example, only around 7,000 bottles of this varietal were produced. Henri Giraud is also characterized by its production method: fermentation and aging of the base wines are carried out in oak barrels. The exception is the Dame-Jane rose wine, which is vinified in 525-litre sandstone amphorae for better expression of fruit notes.
Table of Contents:
- Argonne oak
- Perpetual Reserve
- Assortment
- Check out the tasting notes of Henri Giraud's recent Champagne releases
Claude Giraud prefers to use oak from the nearby Argonne Forest, which is only 70 kilometers from the winery. Winemaker Sébastien Le Golvé personally selects and procures the oak trees, which he then sends to local cooperage workshops to make 228-litre barrels (Burgundy standard).
Champagne house Henri Giraud is actively involved in the protection and study of the Argonne forest in partnership with the French National Forestry Office (ONF), making tracing the origin of its wood a mission of sorts. Every year, a month before harvest, Sebastien carefully assesses the maturity of the grapes.
Once he accurately determines the grapes' profile, he selects the right type of wood and personally participates in the toasting process with the cooperage. Each barrel is adapted to the specific juice depending on its origin and the degree of oak toasting; in each such tank, the Champagne slowly develops its rich, deep, and structured flavor profile. This is the hallmark of Henri Giraud: superb wines whose subtle effervescence enhances the original qualities and gently guides you to discover a striking vibrancy.
Each Champagne is produced using wine from its perpetual reserve, which adds complexity and depth to the final product. This perpetual reserve was created in 1990 and is replenished by 20% each year. The wines are stored in metal-lined concrete tanks housed in underground cellars beneath the Marne River. This arrangement ensures a natural and stable temperature of 11˚C all year round and minimizes vibrations, which helps to preserve the quality and vigor of the wine.
Henri Giraud's range of wines consists mainly of Pinot Noir, which is logical given the winery's location in Ay. Esprit Nature NV is the entry-level cuvée. It is followed by non-vintage wines: blanc de blanc (Blanc de Craie) and blanc de noir (Hommage au Pinot Noir). The line-up also includes a rosé Dame-Jane vinified in amphora, as well as a multi-vintage wine (currently MV18). The highlight is Argonne, the house's flagship prestige cuvée, and the rosé Argonne vinified in oak.
Check out the tasting notes of Henri Giraud's recent Champagne releases:
Henri Giraud, Blanc de Craie Brut is a blend of Chardonnay harvested predominantly from family vineyards in Aÿ and 30-40% from Louvois on the north side of Montagne de Reims. The wine is based on the 2017 vintage, which although it has a challenging reputation, proved particularly successful for Chardonnay. It has a pale golden hue and exquisite citrus aromas of orange zest. The flavor impresses with its grippy texture, chalky structure, salinity, and pronounced iodine notes. The textural complexity of the wine is emphasized by the large volume of reserve wine aged in barrels, creating a truly impressive result. Degorgement took place in July 2021 with a dosage of 6 g/litre.
Henri Giraud, Hommage au Pinot Noir is a blanc de noir produced in 2015, vinified in small oak barrels. That year was one of the warmest and driest in the history of viticulture, which influenced its very intense golden color. The color is further accentuated by 12 months of aging in oak barrels followed by six months on fine lees before bottling. The wine stands out as extremely ripe, with intense toasty and smoky notes in the aroma, an attractive honeyed finish, and a rich, buttery flavor with accents of caramelized fruit and delicate spices moving into a long, full, and generous finish. Degorgement took place in October 2020, dosage was 6 g/litre
Henri Giraud, Dame Jane Rosé NV occupies a unique place in the Giraud range. The distinctive feature of this rosé is vinification in sandstone amphorae, which replaced the previous materials - concrete and terracotta amphorae, which were subject to severe oxidation and porosity. The composition of the wine is 90% Pinot Noir, of which 6% undergoes vinification as a red wine, and is complemented by a small amount of Chardonnay to give freshness and lightness to the blend. With deep notes reminiscent of Burgundy, this wine exudes flavors of black cherry and berry fruit. Amphorae add glossy texture and luster, along with notes of smoke and spice. Degorgement took place in April 2021, the dosage is 6 g/litre.
Henri Giraud, Argönne 2013 is a powerful wine, vinified and aged in new barrels from Argonne Forest before bottling. It is characterized by almost excessive ripeness, concentration, and richness. This wine ranks alongside a few Champagnes that could accompany a beef steak cooked to medium rare, along with the likes of Clos des Goisses, Billecart Salmon Clos Saint Hilaire, and Krug Grand Cuvée. It has a deep rich golden color and rich aromas of dried fruit, oak, and vanilla. The wine is dense and structured, promising to reveal even greater complexity. Degorgement was carried out in June 2021 and dosage is 6 g/litre.
Henri Giraud, MV17 Brut NV initially seems a bit restrained, especially since it was released just three months before tasting. Compared to the 2013 Henri Giraud Argonne, which was initially dominant due to its concentration and density, the MV17 shows its subtle charm that unfolds elegantly in the glass. Composed of 80% Pinot and 20% Chardonnay, this blend is vinified in new oak barrels and blended with one-third from a ‘perpetual reserve’ from 1990. As the wine comes to life in the glass, it presents an exquisite savory balance of toast, smoke, and spice against notes of dried fruit. Still young, it shows an energy that bodes well for its long future. Degorgement was carried out in December 2021, the dosage is 6 g/litre.
Henri Giraud, Esprit Nature Brut NV is Giraud's ‘entry’ wine and is characterized by its appeal and lightness, making it ideal as an aperitif. This blend, based on the 2017 vintage, includes approximately 30% wine from the ‘perpetual reserve’. The constituents of the blend are 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, vinified in barriques that have been used for the third and fifth time, making the oak notes more restrained. The wine has a straw yellow color with a delicate mousse, offering refined aromas of dried fruits and light oxidative nuances, complemented by a soft creaminess in the aftertaste. Degorgement was carried out in July 2021, the dosage is 6 g/litre.