Cognac Paul Giraud
House of Grande Champagne – 1er Cru of Cognac
The Region of Cognac´s production extends over 74,500 hectares of vineyards and has a great diversity of soil.
This diversity is the reason why the AOC Cognac is divided according to its soil, sub-region: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bon Bois and Bois Ordinary.
A quick information point is needed before starting: What is Grande Champagne ?
Grande Champagne lies at the heart of the department of Charente-Maritime , in the North West and South East of the town of Jarnac, around the town of Segonzac and extends over 13,200 hectares. It is recognized to be the most prestigious vintage Cognac. It is characterized by limestone and friable soil and a climate midway between the influences of the Atlantic Ocean and those of the continent.
Let’s go to the presentation of Cognac Paul Giraud
Paul Giraud House is a small family owned producer of Cognac which lies Bouteville in Grande Champagne. The Giraud family has been present on this community for nearly 400 years (1635) with most of the time the heirs named “Paul”, who practiced polyculture. It is from the early 19th century the house Paul Giraud there and saw the work of the vine, or for five generations.
Until the 2nd World War nothing happened in particular in the property , they lived quietly on polyculture. The grandfather fell ill seriously after this global conflict which led to a neglect of the vineyard until his son left Angoulême where he was studying to enter the property and took over the family business. His arrival marked the beginning of an economic revival for the Maison Paul Giraud and the gradual abandonment of mixed cropping in order to focus solely on viticulture. The year 1985 marked the transition to 100% in the monoculture of the vine.
Meeting with Paul-Jean Giraud, owner of the House of Cognac Paul Giraud
“I come from a BTS wine oenology (diploma) that was performed in Montpellier, for me it has always been obvious that I ‘d Cognac is small because I did not see the bright side of things : the countryside, horses… basically the beautiful life. At the end of high school I went to Montpellier for a BTS-Viti Oeno. When I returned to the property in the early 70s I remember a deep thing differed from my father at that time: the deeper meaning of a winemaker. Leaving my studies and in a small burst of pride I said ‘old man he better watch me I’ll teach him to work. This knowledge is purely theoretical attenuated soon because despite the knowledge acquired through education, and knowledge management / modern tools I quickly realized that my father was right: common sense and traditional know-how are important, and are not there for nothing.
The early 70s was a difficult time for Cognac. Between oil shock and doubly planted surfaces in the region , the global economic crisis dealt a major setback in the Cognac market. At the time we sold our grapes to large Cognac houses that were bought at a very low cost. So we were forced to find a way to survive economically. So I suggested to my father for us to keep a portion of the harvest and to create our own brand. He agreed and so in 1976 the brand Paul Giraud was created.
The beginnings were difficult but we worked hard for the implementation of this trademark. Initially we focused on the French market, there vegetation for 4 /5 years. But because more and more winemakers adopted the same approach (branding) they were obliged to go international. Today 97 % of our production is for export and Cognac Paul Giraud are currently sold in 35 countries.”
What distinguishes Cognac Paul Giraud from other Cognac Grande Champagne ?
Cognacs Paul Giraud
“Definitely our range of vintages. We have a good amount of old Cognac through the efforts of storage made by my father. Today we rely heavily on this stock (and we renew) to develop our wines. This is one of our characteristics. The other thing that distinguishes us is the ‘cru‘. The eau-de-vie from Grande Champagne are complex, elegant, ornate and age slowly .
I hope that the work we do, than previous generations did and the weight of history motivates us to persevere, to always have faith in our product but also learn to exercise common sense, logic and observation in order not to fall into the trap of modernization but to stay as traditional as possible. For example, we still practice manual harvesting and distillation on the lees.” (Paul-Jean Giraud)
What do you think of the image that the Cognac projects?
“… Fortunately, the youth (in France) is recovering drinking Cognac. Generally young people know almost all alcohols such as whiskey or vodka but very few Cognac that is why it is important that they learn to appreciate and enjoy the French products such as Cognac, Armagnac, Calvados … it’s part of our role to taste and educate the consumer. It is sad to see that the Cognac is known and a better image in some countries than in France, the country of production. Personally I think I did my job when I got to want to drink Cognac.
What revolts me in France is the taxation of our products, for example a bottle of Cognac € 20 sold in supermarkets there are nearly 7 € taxes. With this example how do you ask an importer to have a more flexible legislation for our products country ? “(Paul-Jean Giraud)
Side anecdote :
The story takes place in Japan during an autograph/pictures session after an intervention at a conference on the Cognac. At the end of the conference a pretty young woman approached Paul-Jean Giraud and asked, ” Why is it that everyone wants a picture with you ? “. His reply “I do not know. Surely with respect to the product’s history, the opportunity to be closer with the cognacmaker … “. The young woman replied, “Can I take a picture with you ?“. Mr. Giraud surprised and was amused to accept with the condition to know why. She replied, “To be like the others! ” … The proof is made that you can be a Cognac maker and encounter problems of rock stars.
Thanks to Paul-Jean Giraud for his hospitality.
Jonathan Choukroun Chicheportiche and Marina Pangrazi
Cognac Paul Giraud
Le Bourg,
16120 Bouteville
+335.45.97.03.93
