Appears in
Oxford Companion to Wine

By Jancis Robinson

Published 2006

  • About

Givry, famous as the preferred wine of King Henri IV (perhaps because it was the birthplace of his mistress Gabrielle d’Estrées), produces mostly red wine in the Côte chalonnaise district of Burgundy. White wine constitutes only a seventh of total production, but is often particularly interesting with a soft bouquet reminiscent of liquorice. The reds have more structure and ability to age than those of neighbouring rully, but less depth than Mercurey. About half the vineyard area is designated premier cru, but the vineyards which most merit the higher rank are those on the hillside between Clos Salomon and the Cellier aux Moines.