Domaine Gilles Gaudron, Vouvray Sec, Les Vaux Louis, Vernou-sur-Brenne, Touraine, Loire, France, 2024

Producer Profile

Fourth generation Gilles took over the family domaine in 1993.

Composed of 50 separate small parcels of vineyard, the estate is planted on limestone-clay soils spread over 27ha. Still aided by his father Sylvain, Gilles Gaudron produces top quality, traditional Vouvrays with pure a fruit character and a striking expression of terroir.

Viticulture

Gilles, the third generation of the family, took over the estate in 1993. The estate consists of 50 small plots of vines spread over 30 hectares, planted on clay-limestone soils called tuffeau. Vouvray 'Les Vaux Louis' Sec is made from Chenin Blanc vines with an average age of 30 years. Agricultural environmental certification is a voluntary process that aims to identify and promote particularly environmentally friendly practices applied by farmers.

Winemaking

Harvesting is done using a combination of mechanical and manual methods. The grapes are destemmed, gently pressed using a pneumatic press, and the must is settled at a low temperature for 24 hours. Fermentation takes place at the natural temperature of the cellar of 12°C and lasts about two weeks. The wine is then aged in vats with two rackings, and stirred every week for the first month. After filtration, bottling takes place in September. To achieve balance, Gilles believes that Vouvray still wines should retain a small amount of residual sugar, usually between 6 and 8 g/l.

Tasting Note

This Vouvray Sec shows a pale yellow colour with green highlights. The nose reveals ripe pear, quince, and pineapple, lifted by a chalky minerality. The palate is dry yet generously textured, carried by vibrant acidity and a pebbly, saline finish that clearly reflects its terroir.

Food matching

Versatile at the table—ideal with shellfish, grilled fish, smoked salmon, pork, poultry terrines or mushroom risotto