Adventures in Wine > Loire Valley > Domaine Gautier
Domaine Gautier
Winery: Gautier
Region: Loire
Sub-region: Vouvray
Vouvray Cuvée Argilex
Vouvray
The Gautier domaine in Vouvray has been in the family for seven generations. The origins are known to date back to the 17th Century, from a document noting the presence of vines around the Gautier house in 1669. Benoit Gautier, the present viticulturer, took charge in 1981. He began the policy of domaine bottling. Previously the wines were sold to negociants.
The domaine comprises 12 hectares of vines 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 is 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 harvest takes place over a period of 20 days in late September and October. The grapes are pressed in a new pneumatic press and fermented and matured in temperature-controlled stainless steel cuves. Depending on the year, some of the single vineyard wines are matured in old oak casks.
The Vouvray De Gautier is winemaker Benoit Gautier’s selection from the vintage. 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. This wonderful Chenin reflects the promise of the 2001 vintage in the Loire Valley. It is outstanding as an aperitif, with fowl and fish dishes, and with Asian or Indian cuisine.
The Wine Spectator comments: “Racy Vouvray, with green almond, quince and mineral notes, and a bright, lengthy finish.Nicely done.” (89 points)
In 2004, Gautier launched a new cuvee, ARGILEX. It derives from white clay (argile) soil mixed with crumbled silex or quartz in specific vineyards.
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