COLOUR
Red
TYPE
Still
VINTAGE
2024
GRAPE
Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah
PRODUCER
Domaine Giraud
REGION
Rhône
CHARACTERISTICS
Body
Medium - Full
Sweetness
Dry
Acidity
Medium - High
Finish
Medium - Long
Intensity
Mid - Pronounced
Tannins
AROMAS & FLAVOURS
ABOUT THIS WINE
Domaine Giraud was founded in Châteauneuf-du-Pape in 1974 by Pierre and Mireille Giraud, starting with just four hectares of rented land. Today, the estate is managed by their children, Marie and François Giraud, who have earned a reputation for crafting remarkably elegant, terroir-driven Southern Rhône wines. This Lirac cuvée has a unique origin story: it was originally produced as a Côtes-du-Rhône named 'Les Sables d'Arène' because it was a single-variety Grenache. Since Lirac AOC rules forbid mono-varietal red wines, the family could not use the prestigious appellation. In 2018, an elderly neighbor, deeply impressed by François's meticulous organic farming, leased his old-vine Syrah and Mourvèdre plots to the Girauds. This allowed them to create a classic GSM blend and officially elevate the wine to Lirac status.
ALCOHOL
15.0%
AVG. PRICE
€20
STYLE
Classic
VEGAN
YES
SULPHITES
When to drink
Now or Later
Ideal temperature
16-18°C
INTERESTING FACTS
Fact 01
The wine was elevated to Lirac AOC after a neighbor leased his old-vine Syrah and Mourvèdre to the estate, impressed by their organic farming.
Fact 02
The Grenache component comes from exceptionally old vines planted around 1950, averaging 60 years of age.
Fact 03
This cuvée is aged entirely in concrete tanks with zero oak contact to preserve its bright, floral, and fruit-forward character.
FOOD PAIRING
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WINE MAKING PROCESS
The winemaking process at Domaine Giraud emphasizes purity of fruit and minimal intervention. Grapes are harvested entirely by hand, followed by strict sorting on tables before entering the cellar. Fermentation occurs spontaneously using only indigenous yeasts. To preserve the bright floral aromas, fresh red fruit character, and distinct sandy soil minerality, both fermentation and aging take place entirely in concrete tanks. The wine is completely unoaked, avoiding any wood influence to maintain its elegant texture and fine-grained tannins. It is bottled unfined and unfiltered.
