Domaine Giraud Chateauneuf du Pape Rhone Wine, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Domaine Giraud Chateauneuf du Pape with wine tasting notes, wine, and food pairing tips, best vintages, a history of the property, and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important wineries and winemakers from the Rhone valley: Links to all Rhone Valley Wine Producer Profiles

Domaine Giraud History, Overview

Domaine Giraud does not have one of longer histories in the Chateauneuf du Pape region. The estate was born in 1974 when Pierre and Mireille Giraud decided to change careers from the distillery business to growers and winemakers.

The Giraud family started off by renting 4 hectares of land. The Giraud family were familiar with Chateauneuf du Pape and winemaking because they are related to the Armenier family, the owners of Domaine de Marcoux.

The next step in growth for Domaine Giraud took place in 1981 when the family gave up their distillery business to become full-time winemakers. By 1987, the estate had doubled in size. Since 1998, the domaine has been managed by Marie Giraud and Francois Giraud.

1998 was clearly a breakthrough year for Domaine Giraud. That year marked the debut vintage Giraud Cuvee Les Gallimardes, the first wine that was produced, bottled, and sold by the estate.

Prior to that vintage, as we mentioned, their harvest was purchased by negociants or other growers in the region. Since 2001, Marie Giraud and Francois Giraud have continued to increase their responsibilities at Domaine Giraud.

Domaine Giraud Vineyards, Wines, Winemaking

Domaine Giraud has continued to expand their holdings in the Southern Rhone. Currently, they own 17 hectares of vines that are spread over 64 separate parcels in the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation.

Their best vines are the Grenache that was planted more than 100 years ago in the La Crau sector. Starting in 2008, they shifted to 100% organic farming methods. With the 2011 vintage, Domaine Giraud was certified as a biodynamic estate as they only use 100% biodynamic vineyard techniques. Philippe Cambie consults the Domaine.

The best vintages of Domaine Giraud are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2005 and 2001.

Domaine Giraud produces 3 red wines from Chateauneuf du Pape, 1 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc and a wine from the Cotes du Rhone appellation.

Domaine Giraud Tradition – From an average blend of 60% Grenache, 35% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre, the grapes are on average close to 70 years of age. The terroir is rocks, sand, clay, and limestone soils. The vines are planted in the Bois de la Ville, la Cerise, les Galimardes, le Tresquoys and Valori lieux-dits.

The grapes are completely destemmed. The Grenache and Mourvedre are aged in cement vats while the Syrah is aged in barrel for 12 months before bottling. The production averages between 2,000 and 2,500 cases.

Domaine Giraud Cuvee Gallimardes – The wine is named after the commune the vines are planted in. Produced from 90% old vine Grenache and 10% Syrah, the Grenache comes from vines that average close to 100 years of age. The terroir is pure galets in the les Galimardes lieu-dit.

Fully destemmed, the Grenache is aged in a combination of steel tanks and cement tank or steel tank, and the Syrah is aged in 10% new, French oak barrels for 12 months. The production is on averages close to 750 cases per year.

Domaine Giraud Les Grenache de Pierre – Produced from 100% old vine Grenache, the vines are mostly over 100 years of age. The vines are placed in 2 vineyards, La Crau, with its clay and sand soils, and in the Pignan lieu-dit, where you find more sand.

100% of the fruit is always destemmed. The wine is aged in vats and demi-muids for 12 months. The production is quite small at close to 250 cases per year.

Domaine Giraud Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Cuvee Galimardes from a blend of Roussanne, Bourboulenc and Clairette. The production is close to 250 cases per vintage.

When to Drink Domaine Giraud, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Domaine Giraud can be enjoyed on the young side with decanting of 1-2 hours or so. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Domaine Giraud is usually better with 4-6 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage. In the best vintages, the wine should be consumed within 5-20 years after the vintage.

Serving Domaine Giraud with Wine, Food Pairing Tips

Domaine Giraud is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Domaine Giraud is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, stewed dishes, sausage, and cassoulet. Domaine Giraud is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms pasta, eggplant, and tomatoes.

The white wine of Domaine Giraud is best served with a myriad of different seafood dishes, shellfish, crab, lobster, sushi, sashimi, chicken, pork, and veal, as well as Asian cuisine.

Domaine Giraud also owns 18 hectares of vines in the Cotes du Rhone and Lirac appellations. Domaine Giraud Sixte is a wine to look for from the Cotes the Rhone. This Vieille VIgnes is made from from 100% old vine Grenache that averages 60 years of age.

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