AOC Givry

In Givry, wine came centuries before the appellation. INAO, France’s appellation authority, describes it as highly sought after in the Middle Ages, and the Burgundy wine trade body notes that the town has been fortified since that time.

From a Medieval Wine Storehouse to a Protected Appellation

A cellier, or wine storehouse, built mainly in the 12th century still stands in Givry. Its facades, roofs and windmill have been listed as French historic monuments since 1970.

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay have a long history here: according to INAO, these two fine Burgundy grapes already grew on these slopes around the turn of the 17th century.

The appellation was recognized in 1946.On the label, Givry may be followed by the name of the climat, or named vineyard site, the wine comes from.

INAO links the reputation of Givry to this long history and to the know-how of the people who work these vines.

History of the AOC Givry Appellation

The Givry appellation, nestled in the heart of Burgundy on the Côte Chalonnaise, is a terroir rich in history. Since the Middle Ages, Burgundy has been renowned for the quality of its wines, largely thanks to the efforts of the Dukes of Burgundy. Although less famous than some of its prestigious neighbors, Givry has preserved its authenticity and today offers red and white wines with an excellent quality-to-price ratio for Burgundy wine enthusiasts.

Climate and Terroir of the AOC Givry

Climate: Like much of Burgundy, Givry benefits from a semi-continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters. These conditions favor the slow and regular maturation of the grapes. 

Soils: The soils of the appellation are predominantly composed of limestone and clay, which give the wines a particular minerality and a beautiful structure in the mouth.

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay: The Essential Grape Varieties of the AOC Givry

The AOC Givry appellation, like other Burgundy appellations, produces red and white wine mostly from single grape varieties. The red wines are made from Pinot Noir and the white wines from Chardonnay. These emblematic Burgundy grape varieties allow the best expression of the various terroirs (also known as climats in Burgundy) of the region.

Style of AOC Givry Wines

Red Wine:

• Appearance: Ruby red color with garnet highlights.
• Aromas: The red wines of AOC Givry offer an aromatic palette of red fruits (cherry, raspberry), spices (clove), and sometimes animal notes.
• Palate: In the mouth, these wines are powerful and tannic in their youth and become more refined after a few years of aging.

White Wine:

• Appearance: Pale gold hue.
• Aromas: The nose is dominated by aromas of white flowers (acacia), citrus, almonds, and sometimes vanilla.
• Palate: In the mouth, AOC Givry white wine is rather round, with a nice freshness and a hint of minerality in the finish.

Best Food and Wine Pairings with AOC Givry Wines

Here are our tips for achieving the best food and wine pairings with a bottle of wine from a domaine or château in AOC Givry white and red:

Red Wine:

• Sautéed veal liver
• Fondue Bourguignonne
• Oeufs en Meurette (eggs poached in red wine sauce)

White Wine:

• Brie de Meaux cheese
• Chicken with morels
• Mussels in cream sauce

Givry FAQ: Villages, Red Wine Share and Bottle Aging

Which Villages Make Up the Givry Appellation?

The Givry appellation covers three villages in Saône-et-Loire: Givry, Dracy-le-Fort and Jambles. Givry itself includes the hamlets of Poncey, Cortiambles and Russilly, according to the Burgundy wine trade body.

How Much of Givry Is Red Wine?

About eight in ten hectares of Givry vineyards produce red wine, made from Pinot Noir. In 2022, the Burgundy wine trade body counted 250.30 hectares of red out of 309.16 hectares in production (618 of 764 acres), with the rest white. INAO describes Givry as mostly red, sometimes white.

How Long Does Red Givry Take to Soften?

Red Givry usually softens after three to five years in bottle, according to the Burgundy wine trade body. Fairly tannic when young, it then turns rounder while keeping a firm structure.

Where to Buy Givry Direct from the Winemaker?

You can buy Givry, sold by the producer, on Avenue des Vins. Each wine’s page names the producer who made it.

See also: AOC Mercurey - AOC Rully - AOC Bourgogne Côte chalonnaise