The Henri Giraud Champagne House has just announced its renewed commitment to the French National Forestry Office (ONF) for the next three years, in the context of its “Forever and ever, Argonne” project, launched in 1990. For a decade, Henri Giraud has brought a new dimension to this project by supporting the ONF in their work preserving and developing Champagne’s ancestral forest, the Argonne, which straddles the departments of the Marne, the Ardennes and the Meuse. This renewed ONF sponsorship focusses particularly on parcels at Châtrices, a terroir of the Argonne Forest that is highly renowned for the quality of its oaks. The new convention will mean some 40 hectares and the equivalent of 45,000 oaks will have been replanted since the beginning of their collaboration.
Claude Giraud explains: “Along with the ONF, Champagne Henri Giraud signals a long-term commitment to the renaissance of this historic forest in Champagne. The Argonne Forest, our local forest, was in danger of extinction in 1990 when we decided to contribute to its rehabilitation and renewal. Today it lives again thanks to the sterling work of the ONF, and we are particularly proud to partner their teams on the ground. When we launched the “Forever and ever, Argonne” project our goal was clear: we wanted to help ensure the survival of this forest. By reinforcing our efforts today, we are quite naturally continuing our investment in the future of this splendid ecosystem, by ensuring that these magnificent oaks regain all their splendour and the place that they rightfully deserve.“
The “Argonne” cuvée, entirely aged in barrels made from Argonne oak, is the quintessence of excellence in the work of interactive vinification between the terroirs of Aÿ, where the grapes are grown, and the local forest. A search for accuracy and assembly of the wood finely corresponds to the blends of grapes for this high precision champagne – the perfect alliance of two exceptional terroirs. Above and beyond the incomparable style and exceptional quality that makes this one of the most sought-after champagnes in the world, “Argonne” offers all those who buy it added satisfaction; with each purchase they help finance the planting of a new 2-year-old oak tree and its maintenance over the following five years that are so critical to its growth. Such an act is totally in line with the Giraud family’s historic wish to present a different vision of the world and of Champagne through its fine wines since 1625.
[divider]About Champagne Henri Giraud[/divider]
Champagne Henri Giraud’s roots go all the way back to 1625. Today Claude Giraud is the 12th generation of the Giraud-Hémart family to run the company. Champagne Henri Giraud is a member of the Union des Maisons de Champagne and its signature vintage is Argonne. Every year, international experts gather for the estate’s “workshops” to better understand the impact of the various terroirs and the geological composition of the soil in the Argonne Forest on the taste and texture of the wines. The salinity, the intensity and the aromatic complexity of Henri Giraud champagne make it one of the region’s beacons of excellence. As only 250,000 bottles have been produced, including just a few thousand for vintage wines, this champagne is now highly sought after by collectors and wine lovers the world over.
Raymond
