In May 2012, Vincent Girardin sold his business to Jean-Pierre Nié, the owner of Compagnie des Vins d’Autrefois in Beaune. Jean-Pierre, very sensibly, took the decision not only to retain Eric Germain (head winemaker) and Marco Caschera (sales and exports) but to make them substantial shareholders in the business.
As far as we are concerned, nothing has changed. They continue to work with the highest quality raw materials and Eric Germain continues to make the wines, as he has done for nearly twenty years. Indeed, now that Eric is entirely free from other constraints, we have noticed the wines’ gain in precision over recent vintages! There is no bâtonnage and extended maturation in barrel – a very high proportion of which are demi-muids and larger – gives the white wines greater tension, elegance, energy and purity. The reds are supple, fresh, pure and elegant. The Bourgogne Blanc “Terroir Noble” comes from vines all situated in the communes of Puligny, Chassagne and Meursault. The Bourgogne Rouge “Terroir Noble” is exclusively from old vines around Volnay and Pommard. Both are excellent. This is a small to medium sized negociant business of the highest quality. 33 hectares (out of their total production from 80 hectares) is now owned or under their complete control – all of which they farm organically or biodynamically. Half their production comprises Bourgogne Rouge, Bourgogne Blanc, Pouilly Fuissé and Macon Fuissé and many of their top cuvées are made in very small quantities. They will continue to invest in their own vines and have recently made acquisitions in Volnay, Puligny, Meursault, Pommard and Auxey-Duresses. They are now “a domaine with a negoce activity”. 60% of their entire production and 80% of their top appellations are from domaine fruit. Since 2017, they have been biodynamic for nearly all their estate fruit. Their wines remain absolutely delicious, accessible examples which speak clearly of their individual terroirs.
