Le Grappin

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Le Grappin 〰️

The Philosophy Behind Le Grappin

The Nielsens focus on small-lot production, working closely with viticulteurs who tend to their vines with extraordinary care.

Le Grappin divides its range into two categories: Le Grappin and Du Grappin. The former represents their premium offerings, sourced from villages and 1er cru vineyards in Burgundy. These wines typically undergo eighteen months of elevage to develop their complexity. The latter, Du Grappin, is a more accessible range, designed for early consumption, often sourced from the Beaujolais and Mâconnais regions.

In 2021, due to challenges posed by frosts and limited grape availability, Le Grappin produced just four barrels of white wine. The reds are equally exclusive, with recent releases limited to a Beaune 1er cru “Les Boucherottes” and a Savigny-lès-Beaune “Aux Fourneaux”. These reds undergo whole-cluster macerations in large foudres for approximately two weeks, with gentle pigeage towards the end to preserve their delicate aromatics.

Le Grappin also produces a diverse selection of Du Grappin reds, including a Fleurie, Côte de Brouilly, and Beaujolais-Villages from Lancié. In 2022, they expanded their range to include Chiroubles. For these wines, Andrew and his team follow the methods of legendary winemaker Jules Chauvet, fermenting at cool temperatures in concrete vats and avoiding excessive extraction. The whites in the Du Grappin range include two Aligotés (one of which is skin-macerated) and a Mâcon-Villages.

Minimal Intervention and Sustainable Practices

Le Grappin is dedicated to minimal intervention winemaking. New oak is used sparingly, only on small batches of Mâcon-Villages to help rinse off any lingering oak flavors before the barrels are used for the more delicate Le Grappin wines. All other barrels are sourced second-hand to minimize their impact on the wine.

This commitment to sustainability and subtlety in winemaking ensures that each bottle of Le Grappin wine is a true reflection of the land and the careful attention paid by the viticulteurs. It’s this balance of tradition and innovation that makes Le Grappin a standout producer in the Burgundy region.

 

  • Direct from Le Grappin:

    United Kingdom:

    Le Grappin has a strong presence in the UK. While a comprehensive list of all individual stockists is extensive, some examples include (availability may vary):

    • Select independent wine shops and restaurants across the UK. Check their official website's "Where to Find Us" section for the most current list of stockists.

    USA:

    Le Grappin wines are available through various distributors and retailers across the US.

    • Amitié Wines (US Distributor): They are a key partner for Le Grappin in the US. You can often find their available Le Grappin wines directly on their website: https://amitiewines.com/winemakers/le-grappin/

    • Select independent wine shops and restaurants in major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Palm Springs, and New York. Some examples that have carried their wines include:

      • Flatiron Wines & Spirits NYC

      • Leon & Son Wine and Spirits (Brooklyn)

      • Discovery Wines (New York City)

      • Silverlake Wine (Los Angeles)

      • Augustine (Los Angeles)

      • Vino Carta (San Diego)

    Canada:

    • Juice Imports (Alberta Importer): https://www.juiceimports.com/le-grappin (Supplies retailers in Alberta)

    • For other provinces like Ontario (Living Vine) and Quebec (Vins Nomad), check the "Where to Find Us" section on the Le Grappin website.

    Other International Markets:

    Le Grappin wines are distributed in many countries. For specific retailers in these regions, it's best to consult their official website or contact their local importer/distributor.