Biography

Vincent Girardin was born in Santenay, in the Cote de Beaune Vincent is part of a winemaking family whose origins date to the 17th century (11th generation). Now in his forties, Vincent began in 1982 with only 2 hectares (5 acres) of vines. When his father retired, he took over several additional hectares to which he could devote himself.

As of today, the Domaine represents 22 hectares (around 50 acres) which comprise of 42 parcels from 8 villages in the Côte de Beaune in the heart of Burgundy.

The Domaine has been committed to Biodynamic Agriculture since 2009 and should get the final and official certification by the end of 2011. The work in the vines is carried out with the greatest care and respect for the environment and nature. The soil is worked to ensure proper aeration. The yields are rigorously controlled by pruning, adding only natural, slow release fertilizer, by severe removal of excess buds, and green-harvesting.

Vincent is heralded as one of the leading Burgundian winemakers and has won many wine accolades. Interestingly he noted that 2009 was a vintage where you had to pick early so as to preserve the acidity. “We brought in super clean fruit that ranged from 12.5 to 13.2% in terms of potential alcohols. I liked the vintage more and more as the élevage progressed as the wines kept improving and becoming finer. 2009 should be popular with everyone as there isn’t anything not to like.”

 

Q & A

How did you get started in the wine trade?

I started in 1982 with 2,5 hectares inherited from my parents.

 

What’s been your proudest achievement to date?

The new winery in Meursault built in 2001 which allows me to work in optimal conditions for quality.

 

Describe yourself in three words…

Hard worker, rigorous and demanding.

 

What would you do if you weren’t in the wine trade?

I was thinking to work as cattle breeder for a high standard genetic selection to achieve an optimal meat with Charollais cattle for example.

 

Provide a brief description of your vineyards?

My goal, in the past years, was to acquire parcels on the most prestigious crus such as Chassagne 1er Cru Le Cailleret, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières or Saint Aubin 1er Cru Murgers des Dents de Chien. And the idea was also to have “large parcels” (around 1 hectare) in order to supply our partners with quantities allowing them to build an activity without being limited in their evolution with very low availabilities.

 

What is your winemaking philosophy?

Since I began, I have tried everything but since 2007, I work in a more simple way without gilt. I noticed with experience that the growers who are making great wines always work simply.

 

What’s your most exciting grape variety?

Chardonnay.

 

What do you consider to be your biggest challenge of winemaking?

The challenge is to ensure having exceptional grapes in order not to be interventionist in the winery.

 

Describe where you see the challenges and future development of wine in Burgundy?

We have noticed in the last years a whole benefit evolution in the quality but today, the real challenge for the region is fully economical. We cannot see a development of Burgundy without an increase of the prices of the wines. The economic tensions are important now in our region with rocketing prices of the vineyards and we are going to face soon the dying of the network of small estates who work with passion. This will change totally the structure of our region if the growers will not be able to sell their wines at prices allowing them to face the increase and preserve their estate.

 

How do you find / what are your experiences of the UK wine market?

UK has, among the world, the people who know perhaps the best our region but since the last 15 years, the market is more and more open to wines of the whole planet which is good but in the same time we are losing the fidelity. The market is more and more irregular and based on vintages.

 

If you could own one wine property in the world what would it be?

In Burgundy and precisely in Corton Charlemagne.

 

Who has been your greatest influence in the wine trade?

Bernard and Jean-Marc Morey of Chassagne where I did a placement in 1977. They made me sensitive to quality. We had to go into the details.

Also Bernard Loiseau who was the first to trust my wines and was always promoting my Maranges with his zander in red wine sauce.

 

What’s your favourite wine and who would you share it with?

Corton Charlemagne with friends.

 

Favourite place to relax away from the vineyard?

The mountain where you find the truth, the people are pure and strong.

 

Your favourite restaurant in the world and why?

The chefs who are making pure clean food with the right cooking. Simple products but of great quality.

 

Name your desert island dish and wine?

Products of the sea and Corton Charlemagne.

 

What’s the best wine you’ve ever made?

Corton Charlemagne 1996

 

What car do you drive?

Audi Q5.

 

Do you collect anything?

Wines but I drink them.