The winegrowing history of Givry is closely linked to that of the Burgundy vineyard. While vine cultivation has been attested here since Antiquity, it was mainly from the Middle Ages, between the 10th and 13th centuries, that Givry wine began to gain real renown. At that time, the monks played a central role in structuring the vineyard, helping to refine viticultural practices and to demarcate the best plots.
From the 14th century onwards, Givry wines enjoyed recognized prestige, notably at the court of the Dukes of Burgundy. Their reputation was fully established at the end of the 16th century, when King Henry IV made it one of his favorite wines, greatly contributing to its spread and renown beyond regional borders. This lasting recognition places Givry among the benchmark terroirs of southern Burgundy.
The 20th century marked a key stage in the history of Givry with the establishment of an official framework for wine production. In 1946, the vineyard thus obtained its AOC status, guaranteeing the protection of its origin, its production practices, and the identity of its wines. This recognition also made it possible to highlight the highest quality plots, some of which would later be classified as Premiers Crus.
Today, the Givry AOC is fully in line with the tradition of the great Burgundy wines. Drawing on its historical heritage and the richness of its estates, the appellation asserts a distinctive style, marked by elegance, roundness, balance, and a sincere expression of the terroir, claiming a unique identity within the Burgundy vineyard and the French wine landscape.
The terroir of Givry is distinguished by a geology characteristic of the Burgundy vineyard. The soils are mainly clay-limestone, originating from marl and Jurassic limestone, sometimes mixed with stony scree on the hillsides. This composition promotes good natural drainage while maintaining a sufficient water reserve, an essential condition for the balanced expression of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the emblematic grape varieties of the appellation.
The vines are planted between 240 and 320 meters in altitude, on slopes mainly facing east and southeast. This exposure ensures regular sunlight while protecting the plots from the winds. The climate is semi-continental, with cold winters, springs sometimes sensitive to frost, and hot summers tempered by a good thermal amplitude. These conditions allow gradual ripening of the grapes, preserving the freshness and aromatic finesse of the wines.
The Premiers Crus also occupy a central place in the identity of the Givry AOC. Located on the most qualitative hillsides, they are distinguished by more calcareous soils and better exposure, bringing depth, structure, and aging potential to the red wines, while enhancing the tension and minerality of the white wines.
The Givry AOC is above all recognized for its red wines, which make up the majority of production. Made from Pinot Noir, these wines precisely express the character of the Burgundy vineyard. They are distinguished by an elegant structure, an indulgent framework, and ripe red fruit aromas, often accompanied by spicy notes. The tannins are also generally more pronounced compared to those of red wines from northern Burgundy, although they remain moderate due to the very nature of the grape variety.
This subtle balance between indulgentise and finesse makes Givry an essential reference in Burgundy, both for the "village" cuvées and for the Premiers Crus.
More confidential, the white wine of the Givry AOC offers a complementary interpretation of the appellation's terroir. Made from Chardonnay, it stands out for its balanced and harmonious expression, carried by measured freshness and discreet minerality. The profile of these wines favors suppleness and elegance, with aromas of white-fleshed fruits and sometimes subtle floral notes. Depending on the exposure and the winemaker's work, some whites can gain depth and complexity over time, especially on the best-located plots.
This dual identity, in red as well as in white, allows the Givry appellation to offer a range of wines that reflects the diversity of Burgundy's terroirs, while asserting an authentic and distinctive style.
The red wines of Givry offer great versatility at the table. Their elegant structure and indulgent ise make them ideal partners for roasted meats, poultry, or even slow-cooked dishes. These wines also pair very well with recipes based on mushrooms or light sauces, highlighting the wine's natural balance without masking its aromas.
The Premiers Crus, on the other hand, bring greater depth and allow for more structured pairings (red meats) while maintaining excellent drinkability.
Thanks to its balance between roundness and freshness, Givry white wine pairs particularly well with fish, seafood, or cream-based dishes.
Its subtle minerality and measured liveliness help counterbalance the richness of creamy or buttery sauces, without ever overpowering the dish. These pairings highlight the finesse of Givry Chardonnay, while respecting the delicacy of textures and flavors, thus offering a beautiful harmony at the table.
Thanks to the fine structure of its cuvées, AOC Givry offers wines capable of evolving harmoniously over time, provided that proper storage rules are followed.
Givry red wines generally have an aging potential of 5 to 10 years, or even longer for cuvées from parcels classified as Premier Cru. Their tannic structure, combined with a lovely freshness, allows them to gain aromatic complexity over the years, developing seductive tertiary notes (undergrowth, leather, tobacco, etc.).
The white wines of the appellation are mainly enjoyed in their early years (3-5 years). Nevertheless, the cuvées from the best terroirs can be kept for 8 to 10 years without difficulty. Over time, these white wines gain depth, developing pronounced minerality as well as notes of butter, honey, and an evolved fruitiness (candied apple, ripe pear, etc.).
To properly store your Givry wine, we recommend storing it horizontally in a cool cellar, at a stable temperature between 10 and 14°C, protected from light and vibrations. A humidity level around 70-80% will also help preserve the elasticity of the cork in your bottles and thus the quality of the wine.These conditions are essential to support the natural evolution of both red and white wine, whether they are from the Givry AOC or elsewhere.
Tasting a Givry wine first means taking a few seconds to observe it. In the glass, a red Givry generally presents a bright ruby color, sometimes turning garnet with age. Its appearance should be clear and bright: a dull color may indicate a tired or declining wine. By slightly tilting the glass, observe the reflections and fluidity of the wine, often a sign of good balance. The white Givry, rarer, displays a pale yellow to golden color, with silvery reflections when young.
Next comes the nose, an essential step. Serve the wine in a glass wide enough to allow it to express itself. Start by smelling without swirling: you will often perceive delicate aromas of fresh red fruits for red wines, or flowers and citrus for white wines. After a gentle swirl of the glass, the bouquet will open up further, revealing more complex notes such as spices, undergrowth, or a mineral touch. A good Givry is expressive, precise, and never overwhelming.
The serving temperature plays a key role in the enjoyment of tasting. If served too warm, your wine will seem heavy and alcoholic. Too cold, it will lose its expression. A red Givry is ideally enjoyed between 14 and 16°C. Whites should be enjoyed at around 11 to 13°C to preserve their freshness while allowing their aromatic finesse to emerge. If the wine is young, a slight decanting can help it open up.
On the palate, also take your time. A small sip is enough at first to judge the balance between fruit, acidity, alcohol, and tannins. Givry reds are known for their silky texture and their indulgent character, with a fresh finish that invites another sip. Whites, on the other hand, offer beautiful tension and a clean finish, often marked by minerality. Tasting a Givry often means enjoying a indulgent and generous wine, which can be savored just as well during a fine meal as in a simple and friendly moment... exactly the kind of wine you want to share !
To discover a Givry true to its appellation, La Cave Éclairée offers you a high-quality selection highlighting the exceptional work of the Domaine du Cellier aux Moines.
Existing since 1130, the Cellier aux Moines estate is indeed one of the most emblematic and oldest properties of the Côte Chalonnaise.Since 2004, Philippe Pascal and his family have restored all the splendor to this 10-hectare estate by carrying out thorough work both in the vineyard and in the cellar. While the heart of the vineyard is located in the Givry AOC, the estate also owns rare plots in Chassagne-Montrachet, Santenay, and Puligny-Montrachet.
Respect for living things is at the core of the estate's philosophy. The vineyard has been certified Organic Farming since 2020, making Cellier aux Moines the first organically certified estate in the Givry appellation. A conversion to biodynamics is also underway, in line with this ongoing quest for balance and authenticity.
Since 2015, Guillaume Marko has joined the estate and oversees the winemaking process with precision and sensitivity. His work aims to reveal the identity of each plot, without artifice, focusing on the purity of the fruit and the most accurate expression of the terroir. The estate's cuvées have now reached a level of finesse, depth, and richness that places them among the benchmarks of the Burgundian elite.
La Cave Éclairée stands out for its approach to wine that is both expert and accessible. As an online wine merchant, we offer a selection of over 350 references from all regions (Loire, Burgundy, Alsace, Bordeaux, Champagne, etc.), with a strong focus on organic and biodynamic wines as well as quality spirits. Do not hesitate to contact us to benefit from personalized advice !
Whether it is for an event, a gift, or building a wine cellar, we will provide you with all the necessary information on which wines to choose, according to your tastes and your budget. We offer the most prestigious appellations of Burgundy such as Chablis, Givry, Beaune, Gevrey-Chambertin, and Pouilly-Fuissé. We also have an excellent selection from the Loire Valley as well as many other vineyards.
Finally, we offer fast and secure delivery options in France and Europe, ensuring that the bottles arrive in the best possible condition. With La Cave Éclairée, the wine shopping experience combines expertise, convenience, and pleasure, while emphasizing attentive and responsive customer service !