Blanc de Craie
⏳ Drinking Window
2024 - 2032
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Fresh oysters, grilled sea bass, goat cheese
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the historic house of Henri Giraud, 'Blanc de Craie' is a brilliant exploration of Chardonnay grown on the region's iconic, mineral-rich chalk ('craie') soils. While Giraud is legendary for its Pinot Noir-dominant blends from Aÿ, this cuvée shifts the spotlight to Chardonnay sourced from the chalky slopes of the Montagne de Reims and Aÿ. The wine undergoes vinification in a combination of stainless steel and the house's signature Argonne oak casks, marrying the pristine, razor-sharp minerality of the chalky terroir with the rich, textured complexity that defines the Giraud style. It is a vibrant, luminous Champagne that pays homage to the ancient marine sediments that give the region its unique viticultural identity.
🍾 About the Producer
Tracing its viticultural heritage in the Grand Cru village of Aÿ back to 1625 through the Hémart family, Champagne Henri Giraud is one of the most distinctive and artisanal Champagne houses. Today steered by Claude Giraud, the twelfth generation of the founding family, the estate is celebrated for reviving the historic tradition of vinifying and maturing Champagne exclusively in local oak barrels sourced from the nearby Forest of Argonne. Embracing organic practices and minimal intervention, Giraud champions powerful, Pinot Noir-dominant cuvées marked by intense vinous complexity, fine salinity, and exceptional aging potential. Iconic expressions such as the prestige cuvée Argonne, the Fût de Chêne MV series, and Hommage à François Hémart epitomize the house's dedication to terroir-driven richness and visionary craftsmanship.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Chardonnay 100%
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
12%