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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. |
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