From: Savoie, France
Varietal: Jacquère
Taste: On the nose, the wine opens up with fresh and delicate aromas of white flowers, lemon zest, and pear. As it opens up, it reveals a subtle mineral character that is characteristic of the terroir from which the grapes are sourced. On the palate, the wine is dry, crisp, and refreshing, with a perfect balance between freshness and vinosity. The high acidity of the lean Jacquere grape variety is beautifully balanced with the beautifully soft bubbles. The minerality that was hinted at on the nose comes through on the palate, adding an extra layer of complexity and a pleasant lingering finish.
Pairing: The “Giac Bulles” Pet Nat is a pro at the table. We’ve included a list of possible pairings to get you started below!
General Pairings:
Aperitifs: The Don Giachino is a perfect wine to serve as an aperitif. It pairs well with light appetizers such as olives, nuts, and cheese.
Salads: The bright acidity of the wine complements the freshness of salads. Try pairing the Don Giachino with a simple green salad or a salad with citrus fruits.
Light seafood: The Don Giachino pairs well with light seafood dishes such as oysters, shrimp cocktail, and ceviche. Of course, fried, grilled or poached fish dishes such as grilled sea bass or poached salmon with a light herb butter sauce will be fantastic alongside this wine as well. The wine's bright acidity and refreshing character will help balance out the richness of the fish, while the mineral notes will complement the flavors of the herbs and butter. (We recommend this recipe for Sheet-Pan Roasted Fish With Sweet Peppers by Melissa Clark.)
Regional Pairings:
Savoie cuisine: The Don Giachino pairs well with traditional Savoie dishes such as fondue, raclette, and tartiflette. The wine's acidity helps cut through the richness of the cheese, while its minerality complements the flavors of the dishes.
French cuisine: The Don Giachino pairs well with classic French dishes such as coq au vin blanc, sole meuniere, and quiche Lorraine. The wine's bright acidity and floral notes complement the flavors of these dishes.
Vegetarian Pairings:
Grilled vegetables: The Don Giachino pairs well with grilled vegetables such as eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers. The wine's minerality complements the smoky flavors of the vegetables.
Creamy vegetable dishes: The Don Giachino pairs well with creamy vegetable dishes such as mushroom risotto, creamy vegetable soup, and gratin dauphinois. The wine's bright acidity helps cut through the richness of the dishes.
Vegetable tarts: The Don Giachino pairs well with vegetable tarts such as quiche or tart tatin. The wine's floral notes complement the flavors of the vegetables, while its bright acidity helps balance out the richness of the pastry.
About. The story of Domaine Giachino is one of tragedy and triumph. It all started on November 24th, 1248, when the north face of Mt. Granier let loose and 500 million cubic meters of limestone spilled into the valley, completely destroying five villages, severely damaging two more, and killing hundreds of people. This massive landslide is an ancient tragedy that has a modern-day silver lining. The rockfall created an amazing terroir for vines, and centuries later, the Giachino family began farming vines on this terroir to supplement the cereals, nuts, and fruits they were farming in the Grésivaudan plain.
In 1988, Frédéric Giachino took over the 1.5 hectares of vines that had been maintained by his grandfather, Marius Genton. Since then, the area has been entirely dedicated to grape production. Drawing on the wealth of existing Savoyard varieties, the vineyards have been gradually enriched by new grape varieties. Today, Domaine Giachino is one of the most respected wine producers in the region, known for their commitment to sustainability and stewardship.
Over the years, the farming practices at Domaine Giachino evolved until becoming completely organic in 2006. The same year, Frédéric's brother David joined the domaine, and biodynamics soon followed. The Giachino family initially worked with familiar varieties of Jacquère, Mondeuse, Gamay, and Altesse. But the thinking here evolved as well, likely due to the friendship with Michel Grisard, who advocated for older varieties of the region. Soon, Giachino began working with Persan, Etraire de la Duy, Mondeuse Blanche, Verdesse, and other rare grape varieties.
In 2015, the friendship with Grissard yielded yet more fruit. Michel decided to retire from his iconic domaine, Prieuré Saint-Christophe. He selected the Giachino family to take over his vines and carry on the deep tradition he started - no small compliment from a man as thoughtful, particular, and talented as Michel Grissard.
Today, located in the Chartreuse Hills, the vines of Giachino grow along the limestone slopes of Mount Granier. The soil here is a result of the ancient tragedy, rich in limestone and clay, made up of that rock. It is argued that only vines are capable of being cultivated in such conditions. Savoie has an average altitude of 1,500 metres, with 36 peaks reaching more than 3,500 metres. The vineyards benefit from this unique limestone-clay terroir, which gives the wines their distinctive minerality and acidity.
Domaine Giachino is a model of how a domaine can be run with sustainability and stewardship in mind. The philosophy is considered with each decision and maintained throughout each part of the process. The fact that the wines are so delicious is a bonus and also an affirmation that virtuous actions can lead to righteous wines. The wines of Domaine Giachino are a testament to the resilience of nature and the skill of the winemaker, a triumph over the tragedy that created their unique terroir.
