Perrault Jadaud

History of Domaine Perrault-Jadaud

The adventure of Domaine Perrault-Jadaud begins in 2009 with a defining encounter at the viticultural lycée in Amboise. On one side, Anne-Cécile Jadaud, a trained oenologist from the Touraine, returning to her roots after ten years of experience in the south of France as a cellar manager and consulting oenologist. She then decided to teach oenology in Amboise. On the other, Tanguy Perrault, a philosophy student originally from Brittany, who had reinvented himself as a vine grower over the previous decade and was now a viticulture instructor. Their complementary profiles — he in the vineyard, she in the cellar — and their mutual respect gave birth to a joint estate project.

The couple settled in Chançay, in the north-east of the Vouvray appellation, in a small valley that remains unspoilt. Their establishment stretched over nearly ten years, through the gradual takeover and purchase of plots. Starting from a micro-estate of 2 hectares (of which 1.6 hectares in AOC Vouvray) in 2010–2012, they now cultivate approximately 8 hectares organically across 15 small plots. Since 2018, Anne-Cécile Jadaud has also offered a range of négociant wines under her own name, crafted from Côt, Gamay and Pineau d'Aunis grapes purchased from partner growers. The domaine de quickly established itself as one of the unmissable references in Vouvray, acclaimed by enthusiasts and critics (Wine Doctor, La Passion du Vin, La Revue du Vin de France) for its gourmand natural sparkling wines and its crystalline dry Vouvray wines.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Perrault-Jadaud

The vineyard of Domaine Perrault-Jadaud now extends over 8 hectares spread across 15 small plots, located mainly in the commune of Chançay and its surroundings (Vernou-sur-Brenne, Reugny). The geology is typical of Vouvray: the plots rest predominantly on the geological layers of the Upper Eocene, where tuffeau (chalk or Turonian limestone) reigns supreme. These chalky soils are complemented by clay-with-flints, the result of chalk weathering over millions of years. This geological diversity allows the Perrault-Jadaud couple to craft several cuvées, each with a distinctive identity, faithfully reflecting the nuances of each terroir.

The encépagement is dominated 98% by Chenin Blanc, the king grape of Vouvray, complemented by just 2% Chardonnay. The emblematic plots bear evocative names: Jean Jouffroy (close to the famous Clos du Bourg), Le Marigny, Les Bidaudières (terraced), Les Ruettes. The estate has been farmed organically since 2010, with extremely careful viticulture. Yields are deliberately kept low (averaging 30 hl/ha), well below the appellation's permitted levels, to ensure concentrated grapes and a precise expression of the terroirs. Harvesting is strictly manual, with successive sorting passes when the vintage demands it, following the ripeness of each plot parcel by parcel.

Winemaking at Domaine Perrault-Jadaud

In the cellar, Anne-Cécile Jadaud takes the helm, drawing on her experience as a seasoned oenologist. The winemaking approach is deliberately low-interventionist, with the greatest respect for the grape and the terroir. Fermentations are conducted using only indigenous yeasts — no selected yeasts whatsoever — and are intentionally long, allowing for a slow and precise extraction of the Chenin Blanc's aromas. Sulphur doses are deliberately low, in a spirit of transparency towards both the grape and the drinker.

For the still wines (dry, demi-sec, moelleux and liquoreux), fermentations and ageing take place in old Bordeaux and Burgundy barrels — never new — so as not to mask the mineral signature of Vouvray Chenin. For the natural sparkling wines, the couple exclusively adopts the ancestral method, with a single fermentation in bottle from the grape's residual sugars, without any addition of sugar, selected yeasts or dosage. This philosophy produces fine bubbles and wines that are taut, fresh and uniquely personal in character. The result is a coherent and precise range that places the estate among the finest contemporary signatures of Vouvray, at prices that remain very reasonable.

The cuvées of Domaine Perrault-Jadaud

Haut Les Chœurs (Haut les Cœurs): the estate's signature natural sparkling wine and most emblematic cuvée, in AOC Vouvray. 100% Chenin, crafted using the ancestral method (Pétillant Originel), with a single fermentation in bottle from the grape's own sugars, without any addition of sugar or yeasts. Brilliant golden colour, nose full of ripe fruits (pear, quince, yellow fruits) with elegant, light oxidative touches and brioche. Lively and taut palate, mineral, with fine and never aggressive bubbles, and a gourmand, long finish. An exceptional sparkling wine that outshines Champagnes at a higher price point.

Les Grives Soûles: a dry Vouvray cuvée, crafted from Chenin Blanc sourced from several of the estate's plots. Vinified in old barrels with long fermentations. Straw colour, expressive nose of well-ripened apple, pear and frangipane; pure and precise, ample palate with great acidity and lovely bitterness, a salivating and tight finish leaving beautiful fruity impressions. A beautiful Vouvray, aromatic, with a lovely tension that lends it freshness and vivacity.

Vouvray Demi-Sec: a demi-sec Vouvray cuvée, crafted according to the opportunities of the vintage. Pale golden colour, expressive nose of ripe yellow fruits, honey and white flowers; silky and full palate, balanced by the signature acidity of Vouvray Chenin. A classic expression of the great Loire demi-sec style, gastronomic and refined.

Vouvray Moelleux: a rare sweet cuvée, produced only in favourable vintages that allow overripening and the development of noble rot. Harvested through successive sorting passes, with a long fermentation in barrels. Brilliant golden colour, complex nose of candied apricot, honey, citrus peel and dried flowers; silky, suave palate balanced by a great acidity, with an elegant finish. A moelleux of exceptional purity, ideal with foie gras or fruit-based desserts.

Cuvée Jean Jouffroy: a single-plot cuvée from the eponymous lieu-dit, located immediately adjacent to the famous Clos du Bourg. Careful vinification in old barrels, which reveals the pure and mineral signature of this exceptional plot. A confidential cuvée, sought after by enthusiasts.

Vouvray Liquoreux: an exceptional cuvée produced only in the very greatest vintages, from overripe Chenin Blanc grapes affected by noble rot. Brilliant golden colour, complex and captivating nose, sumptuous and long palate with outstanding ageing potential. An anthological liquoreux, faithful to the great tradition of Vouvray liquoreux.

Vin de France Chardonnay: an original Vin de France cuvée crafted from the estate's 2% Chardonnay. Vinified in old barrels, in the same minimalist spirit as the Vouvray wines. Pale colour, subtle nose of white fruits and flowers, taut and precise palate with a mineral structure typical of tuffeau soils. A rarity to discover.

Cuvées de Négoce Anne-Cécile Jadaud: since 2018, Anne-Cécile Jadaud has offered under her own name a range of négociant red and rosé wines, crafted from Côt, Gamay, Pineau d'Aunis and other Touraine grape varieties purchased from partner growers. Vinified in the same natural spirit as the estate wines, these cuvées broaden the offering towards gourmand red and rosé styles, bearing the precise and distinctive signature of the Perrault-Jadaud couple.