The young Henri Giraud champagne house is unusual in that it vinifies its wines in Argonne oak barrels, a Champagne forest. The vineyard, located in Aÿ, has well-located plots, in grand cru for the Pinots Noirs. The wines are vinous, slightly woody, quite original and very interesting.

In Aÿ, one of Champagne’s most historic and prestigious crus, the house of Henri Giraud pursues a rigorously artisanal approach. Code Noir embodies a unique philosophy: honouring the Pinot Noir from Aÿ, the king of grape varieties in the Montagne de Reims, through an environmentally friendly approach. The Aÿ terroir, classified as Grand Cru, rests on chalky soils rich in marine fossils, offering excellent drainage. Vinification takes place in small oak barrels from the Argonne forest, where the wine is aged for 12 months on fine lees without malolactic fermentation to preserve its freshness and tension. The second fermentation takes place in bottles with controlled raw dosage.
The colour is golden and bright, enlivened by a delicate stream of fine bubbles. The nose charms with aromas of ripe pear, toasted hazelnuts, orange peel and sweet spices. The palate is full-bodied, vinous, and structured, balanced by a lovely chalky salinity.