{"product_id":"henri-giraud-ay-rouge-grand-cru-2018","title":"Henri Giraud Aÿ Rouge Grand Cru 2018 (Gift Box)","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinery Background and History\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHenri Giraud is a distinguished, family-led Champagne estate in Aÿ, tracing its roots back to the 17th century. Though primarily known for its biodynamic Champagnes, it also crafts rare, high-quality still red wines. Utilizing deep limestone–chalk soils and old-vine Pinot Noir, Henri Giraud champions terroir expression through minimal intervention and sustainable practices—embodied in their “Triple Zero” philosophy (no pesticide, insecticide, or fungicide)\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eProducer and Wine Maker\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe estate is helmed by Claude Giraud, with cellar chief Frédéric Mestelan overseeing vinification. This cuvée, vinified entirely with whole clusters and aged on lees, reflects a precise, artisan approach aimed at capturing both purity and structure ().\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eVineyards and Micro Climate\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eGrapes come from old-vine Pinot Noir planted on southeast-facing, chalk-rich slopes in Aÿ Grand Cru. The cool continental climate, moderated by the Marne River, ensures slow ripening and natural acidity. These factors, combined with strict terroir stewardship, yield balanced, expressive fruit\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eVinification \u0026amp; Aging Methods\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHand-harvested fruit undergoes whole-cluster fermentation, without herbicides or fining. The wine matures for approximately 15 months on lees in oak barrels, integrating both structure and nuanced wood influence while maintaining freshness\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eMedium-bodied with a purple-black core, the wine reveals aromas of wild blueberries, raspberries, violets, thyme, pine, potpourri, orange zest, cloves, and slate. The palate is supported by chalky tannins, elegant structure, and layered cool berry fruits with wild herb nuance\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFood \u0026amp; Wine Pairing\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis wine pairs beautifully with game terrines, roast poultry (especially with berry sauces), veal liver with raspberries, mushroom risotto, and aged cheeses—its balance of vibrant fruit and structured tannins complement both savory and earthy dishes\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eService Methods and Temperatures\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eServe at \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e15–17 °C\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e in a Burgundy-style glass to highlight aromatics and texture. Decant for ~30 minutes to allow the wine’s complexity to shine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eStorage and Aging Potential\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eDrinking window from \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e2021 to 2035\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e with proper cellaring (12–14 °C, dark, stable humidity). The wine offers both immediate pleasure and potential for graceful development ().\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape Varietals \u0026amp; percentage used\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e100% Pinot Noir (from old-vine Grand Cru blocks) ().\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eABV (Alcohol by Volume)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e11% (as noted on Vivino)\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eScores\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e93\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e – \u003ci\u003eJames Suckling\u003c\/i\u003e: “Aromatic and seductive… elegant, yet firm and structured…” (tasted Jun 2022)\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e92\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e – \u003ci\u003eVinous\u003c\/i\u003e (cited by sales listing)\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Henri Giraud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47922280956118,"sku":null,"price":2200.0,"currency_code":"HKD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0809\/5465\/4934\/files\/HenriGiraudAyRougeGrandCru2018.png?v=1773668238","url":"https:\/\/www.pinotera.com\/products\/henri-giraud-ay-rouge-grand-cru-2018","provider":"Pinotera Wines \u0026 Spirits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}