The Gautier Domaine in Vouvray has been in the family for seven generations. Benoit Gautier, the present winemaker, took charge in 1981. He began the policy of domaine bottling, whereas previously the wines were sold to negociants. The domaine comprises 29 acres in the communes of Rochecorbon and Parcay-Meslay. The soil is the classic Tuffeau or limestone chalk for which the central Loire is famous. The average age of the vines are 25 years. Gautier follows a policy of hand-picking for the still wines, while about one quarter of the grapes for his sparkling wines are machine harvested. The grapes are pressed in a pneumatic press and fermented and matured in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. Depending on the year, some of the single vineyard wines are matured in old oak casks.

Tasting notes

It bursts with ripe and concentrated Chenin Blanc fruit. The gentle acidity is balanced with apricot, pear and honey notes and a just off-dry finish.

Technical notes

The hillside vineyard located in the communes of Rochecorbon and Parcay-Meslay is planted in white clay (argile) soil mixed with crumbled silex or quartz. The silex layers derive from coral bands in the ancient sea-bed dating back one million years. The grapes are hand-picked when ripeness and natural acidity are in optimal balance, so that the wine is fresh, vivid and expressive. The wine is fermented to dryness using only native yeasts, and aged on the lees in stainless steel tanks.