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Viinin Kuvailu
The Story
The Giraud-Hémart family own 20 hectares - 35 parcels of Grand Cru land of which 26 is planted with Pinot Noir and 9 with Chardonnay. Only 17 of the Champagne region’s 323 Crus are classed as Grand Crus (rated 100%). The wine production of Giraud estate is environmentally-friendly, subscribing to the ‘lutte-raisonnée’ (limited intervention grape growing).
The overall production is limited to 250 000 bottles a year, making the Giraud Champagne stand apart from the majority of bulk-producing champagne houses.
The Giraud house is one of the few houses (Krug is another example) that conduct primary fermentations in oak. Henri Giraud pride themselves on sourcing wood for its barrels from the slow growing, tight grained, high quality trees of the ancient forest of Argonne, lying just 35 miles from the estate.
Described by leading wine critic Robert Parker as "the finest Champagne house virtually no one has ever heard of”.
Argonne forest’s oak trees are unique, they allowed the Champagne region to make the greatest wines in the world and helped France build one of the most powerful fleets, contributing to its international reputation. But few of us know that great oak trees can’t survive and reproduce without human intervention and care!
Ravaged by two world wars, then abandoned by the people of Champagne, this magnificent forest is in danger. Champagne Henri Giraud began the fight for its rehabilitation with the first vintage of the cuvée "Fût de Chêne" in 1990.
With Cuvée Argonne and in partnership with ONF, pioneer in sustainable development since the fourteenth century, Champagne Henri Giraud wants to ensure the sustainability of this forest - Forever and ever.
Argonne embodies the Henri Giraud philosophy that Champagne is wine, not just bubbles. For every bottle of Argonne purchased, a donation is made towards the replanting of the Argonne Forest.
• Ay Grand Cru
• 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay
• Vines average 50 years of age
• From 1 hectare of vines on pure chalk
• Vinified in barrel
• Matured in 228-liter barrels, 30% new, for 12 months
• Aged in bottle for 8-10 years before release
• Suitable for vegans
Wine Information
2002 vintage
The winter in Aÿ was very mild, giving way to an early spring. ‘La montre’ (the embryo bunches of grapes) was abundant and the flowering period rapid. The summer came and went in a succession of warm and sunny days.
The rain arrived at the beginning of September and the grapes started to swell rapidly, but the sun soon made a fresh appearance and the grapes lost up to 20% of their weight through evaporation, causing a concentration of sugar and acidity. On the 16th September, we had already started picking the Pinot Noir grapes in Aÿ, a rare event. But on the 18th, the colour and pigmentation of the Chardonnay grapes at the foot of the slopes, were intensifying rapidly. In fact, there was a danger of over-ripening. In less than an hour, 60 grape-pickers arrived on the scene, and the grapes were pressed the same evening. The wines have been maturing in the barrels for two years now and at each tasting, I am increasingly impressed by their freshness and delicate character.
Sugar content 11.1°, acidity 7.1 gr. 2002 is the first outstanding vintage of the new millenium.
In april 2012, this vintage received the "coup de coeur" of the Guide Véron des Champagnes
Vuosikerta 2002
A cold winter and a mild late spring cued for a perfect June allowing early and fast flowering. Outstanding weather conditions prevailed and the season went on without dramatic turns. Rains in August raised concerns regarding gray rot, but finally sunshine and dry conditions throughout September resulted in an abundant crop of largely healthy fruit (11,930 kg/ha). Dehydration due to wind further aided in achieving perfect ripeness and additional concentration. This, and the cool nights, helped in retaining fresh acidity and, despite the ripeness (10.3% potential alcohol), the wines did not suffer from heaviness or a lack of life. A near-perfect vintage, which produced balanced Champagnes consistently around the region. The best show an impeccable combination of freshness, power, structure and finesse. However, some have matured aromatically quicker than expected and are already past their peak. 2002 produced an abundance of spectacular champagnes, such as Dom Pérignon (the entire range), Krug Vintage and Clos du Mesnil, Piper-Heidsieck Rare, Louis Roederer Cristal and Cristal Rosé, Ruinart Dom Ruinart and Dom Ruinart Rosé, Salon Le Mesnil and Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, to name a few.
