2005 Michel Sarrazin et Fils Givry Les Pieces d'Henry 1er Cru

Michel Sarrazin et Fils is in the heart of Burgundy about 20 miles south of Beaune. The estate had been in the Sarrazin family for many generations, but it was Michel Sarrazin who, in 1964, started making wine under his own name rather than selling grapes to the local cooperative. His sons Guy and Jean Yves joined the family enterprise in the 1980s and 1990s. Today the 85-acre estate produces red, white, rosé and sparkling wine in several appellations, including Givry Premier Cru red and white wines. Besides Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the estate also grows Aligoté.

Givry, the appellation, is in the Côte Chalonnaise region and it includes the communes of Givry, Dracy-le-Fort and Jambles. The appellation is four miles long and two miles wide and has 665 acres of vineyards, of which 250 acres are Premier Cru. Altogether there are 27 Premier Cru vineyards, including several monopoles. There are no Grand Crus. The remaining vineyard acreage is classified as Givry village. Though Givry produces both red and white wines, 80% of the wine produced is Pinot Noir. Some 1.7 million bottles of Givry appellation wines are produced annually. Clive Coates has noted that the soil of Givry is a mix of the marl and chalky limestone of northern Burgundy and the richer, sandier limestone of the Mâconnais to the south. Coates added: “The red wines of Givry can be the most charming and the most stylish of the Côte Chalonnaise, and in structure, they are midway between those of Rully and Mercurey.”

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.