Savigny-Lès-Beaune Blanc, Domaine Jean-Jacques Girard

Jean-Jacques Girard’s family have been growing grapes in Savigny-lès-Beaune since 1529, making the domaine one of the oldest in Burgundy. They produce gloriously aromatic, fruity Savigny using a combination of modern and traditional techniques to produce wines of great purity and elegance. Both red and white are delicious, accessible wines which are fantastic for drinking when young but also have great potential for ageing.

Jean-Jacques has built his holdings to over 40 acres, making it one of the most impressive domains in Savigny. He has been a busy man in the process, adding to his impressive array of Savigny 1er Cru vineyards with parcels in Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru, some Volnay and Pommard and the jewel in Corton-Charlemagne.

Savigny les Beaune lies in a peaceful valley rimmed in hardwood forest. The soil make-up under the rim ranges from crumbly shale to compact clay, and expositions range from north-east to full south, giving incredible diversity within a relatively small zone. Generally, however, Savigny produces some of the most perfumed wines of the Cote d’Or, both red and white.
Vinification in white is traditional, in large casks, and all are then raised in Burgundian oak (15% new) for just under a year. The Corton Charlemagne is raised similarly to the Savigny white, but has a higher percentage of new oak (50%). The reds are 100% destemmed and undergo a short maceration in open vats before thermo-regulated fermentation. The wines are then raised in 15% new oak for 15 months.