What I Learned
The town and township of Givry, surrounded by vineyards, lies in the sub-region of Burgundy known as Cote Chalonnaise. In this area, which also includes neighboring Dracy-le-Fort and Jambles, different appellations are in effect. From lower to higher on the quality scale they are the appellation of Bourgogne, the appellation of Cote Chalonnaise, and the appellation for the Givry. In addition to the Givry village appellation, there are similar village appellations for nearby Mercurey, Rully, and Montagny-les Buxy. While some experts opine that Mercurey consistently produces the highest quality wines of these four villages, Givry runs a close second. Both produce mostly red wines from Pinot Noir grapes. Montagny-les-Buxy produces exclusively white wines from Chardonnay grapes. Givry produces only about ten percent white wine, but these wines can sometimes provide discerning tasters an unusual licorice note.
The Givry appellation has 38 parcels classified as premier cru. Some of these are Pied de Chaume, Servoisine, Bois Chevaux, and Crausot. Other premier cru locations are identified as clos, which are enclosed parcels of vines. There are 11 in all, and a few of the more famous are Clos Salomon, Clos Marceaux, Clos du Cellier aux Moines, and Clos Jus.
As an interesting aside, King Henry IV of France (1553-1610), certainly no stranger to good living, preferred Givry red wine over all others!
What I Tasted
2017 Chardonnay, Appellation Givry Controlee, Domaine Christophe Drain (Givry): A dry white wine with medium plus gold color; a mineral (a hint of lipstick) nose, and mineral flavors, with a hint of floral; medium plus acidity, with a long finish.
2017 Chardonnay, Appellation Givry Controlee, Domaine Berthault: A dry white wine with medium gold color; a wood and spice smooth nose, with vanilla and toasted nuts flavors, with a hint of banana; long finish with medium plus acidity.
2016 Pinot Noir, Clos Salomon, Appellation Givry Premier Cru Controlee, Domaine du Clos Salomon (Givry): A dry red wine with medium garnet red color; a perfumed floral and fruity nose, with red berry, violet and vanilla flavors; medium tannins, a smooth, and uniquely memorable, finish.
2016 Chardonnay, Crausot, Premier Cru, Appellation Givry Premier Cru Controlee, Domaine Christophe Drain (Givry): A dry white wine with medium plus yellow gold color; notes of spice, wood, minerals, with clove, vanilla, honey and smoke flavors, medium plus acidity, with a smooth finish, good layers of depth.