Wines of France / Loire Valley / Vouvray / Domaine de la Rouletière

Domaine de la Rouletière - Jean-Marc Gilet

Parçay-Meslay, Touraine
Situated in the Vouvray appellation, this domaine is run with passion and savoir faire by 5th generation vigneron Jean-Marc Gilet.  He took over in 2003, but the domaine began in 1914 with just 2 hectares of Chenin Blanc. Passed down from parents to children ever since then, the domaine gradually expanded its holdings and cellars. Carrying on the traditions of several previous generations, Gilet farms the domaine’s 26 hectares and makes his wines in their impressive two-level, carved out underground cellars.
 The vineyards lie on Turonian limestone hillsides, covered with perruche (flinty clay that gives the wines their mineral character) and arbuis (calcareous clay that contributes power to the sweet wines). The temperate climate is perfect for ripening Chenin Blanc, and also for making ageworthy wines. Many of the vineyards are farmed organically, fitting with the family’s general philosophy of respect for tradition, the appellation, the grapes and the earth. Harvests are done by hand and the wines are vinified in stainless steel tanks. A small percentage of still wines are then aged in four or fifth-use barriques. The sparkling wines are racked for a minimum of 18 months.
The domaine produces approximately 120,000 bottles per year of their still (Sec, Demi-Sec and Moulleux) and sparkling (Brut and Demi-Sec) Vouvrays, as well as a Touraine Brut Rosé.
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jean-Marc Gilet
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Jean-Marc Gilet
Jean-Marc Gilet - Cuvée Silex
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​Domaine de la Rouletière Vouvray Sec "Les Perruches"
100% Chenin Blanc. The grapes, from 20-40 year-old vines on clay-limestone soils with the famous tuffeau subsoils of the region, are hand harvested. Part of them are fermented at a low temperature in stainless steel tanks and part in used oak barrels, and then the wine is aged on its lees with batonnage for 6 months. The wine is an appealing silvery-gold color, and has aromas of wild peach, fresh almonds and locust tree flowers. On the palate it is dry but with nice lush citrus fruit and slightly nutty flavors. A great match for roast chicken or veal piccata.
​Domaine de la Rouletière Vouvray Sec “Patrimoine”
100% Chenin Blanc. Hand-harvested with yields of about 50 hl/ha. Fermented at a low temperature and aged in stainless-steel tanks. About 30% is aged in well-seasoned barrels that have already seen 5 wines. The wine has rich aromas and flavors of acacia, pear and citrus fruits, with a distinctive mineral undertone on the palate.  This pairs wonderfully with prawns or pan-fried fish.
​Gilet Sparkling Vouvray Brut Extra
100% Chenin Blanc. Hand harvested from vines with a yield of about 50 hl/ha. Fermented at a low temperature and then passes a secondary fermentation in bottle (method champenoise), being disgorged after 24 months without a dosage.  With a delicate but lengthy effervescence, this sparkling wine has flavors of acacia, as well as fresh apples, pears, kiwi and a chalky minerality. 
Gilet Sparkling Touraine Brut Rosé
Because it is not made with Chenin Blanc, this sparkler cannot carry the name Vouvray.  It is made with 100% Pinot Noir and harvested from vines with yields of about 50 hl/ha.  A secondary fermentation occurs in bottle, and it is disgorged after 18 months. With its lovely flavors of delicate red fruits, this pairs extremely well with desserts like raspberry charlotte or fruit mousse.