Wine grapes have been grown on the estate since 1789. Before the 1960s, however, the wine was consumed only by the family itself or allocated to really good friends. This changed with Marius Girard. He began to bottle the wines, found customers and sold its Girard Sancerre with great success. The Domaine Philippe Girard is located in Verdigny, one of the most renowned wine villages of Sancerre. Today’s generation owns 16 acres of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. The siblings know each parcel in their vineyard.
Made up of 30 parcels of vines with an average age of 15 years. Terroir plays a key role at this estate. Michel, Philippe and Benoît Girard’s vines are planted on each of Sancerre’s three different soil types: Terres Blanches (clay and limestone), Caillottes (chalky limestone) and Silex (flint). The brothers favor judicious blending of the separately vinified cuvées to create wines with real complexity and balance.
A textbook example of finely wrought Sancerre rosé, this is hard to keep your hands off, but keep in mind that it will age effortlessly for numerous years. (Don’t believe the myth about the ageability of rosé; especially Pinot Noir rosés from northern France. They are often even better the year following their release.) A short maceration on the skins here typically laces the wine’s charming but deeply layered nose with the essence of elegant green citrus, flint, pink rose, passion fruit, and fresh green herbs. There is a lovely savory note that adds a little extra complexity and tension in your rosé.
Retail $30
POW $20
