Henri Giraud moves away from stainless steel

Champagne Henri Giraud inaugurated its new generation, 0% stainless-steel, cellar this week. Moving away from the stainless-steel vat, Henri Giraud is fullfilling the Champagne house's vision for the future, with a cellar full of Argonne oak barrels and terracotta amphora.

Claude Giraud says: "Since 1990, the freedom to think differently, constant curiosity and the demands of enthusiasts of the Henri Giraud style led us naturally down the path of 0% stainless steel. Lovers of Champagne Henri Giraud are undoubtedly among the most demanding and sophisticated connoisseurs of fine wines in the world. Quite naturally, our maison was duty bound to pioneer this approach."

After 25 years of labour and research, Champagne Henri Giraud has chosen the '0% stainless steel' option. For a long time now, the maison has been changing gradually from stainless steel vats to smaller containers; Argonne oak barrels and impruneta terracotta amphora – and this process is now complete.

Fine materials allow the wine to breathe properly, while small containers boost the interaction between the wine and its entire sediment which contains antioxidants and aromatic precursors. Everything is in place to ensure the maison perpetuates a history that dates back to 1625 with the same philosophy: "Let us be bound by neither restrictions nor obligations - let us simply make good wine, sound in body and mind."

6 November 2016 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, editorial assistant