Jean-Pascal Aubron: The Maestro of Muscadet
In the Loire Valley, "the Garden of France", tradition meets innovation, where a fourth-generation vigneron named Jean-Pascal Aubron tends to the legacy of Domaine Aubron. Located just outside of Nantese - southwest of Vallet, on the edge of Mouzillon and Pallet - the maritime breeze from the Atlantic imparts a coastal personality to each wine while Jean-Pascal conducts the vineyard like a seasoned conductor guiding an all-star ensemble.
Jean-Pascal Aubron blends the gift of his terroir, winemaking history and invention to orchestrate the bone-dry Muscadet he's best known for. Jean-Pascal pushes his fermentations to an absolute crescendo to yield wines with zero residual sugar that are dry, crisp, with high acidity, and suitable for ageing.
Jean-Pascal Aubron's winemaking journey is deeply rooted in his family's history, dating back to 1875 when his great-grandfather worked as a vigneron. Since 1983, Jean-Pascal continued to expand the domaine to the 84 hectares it is today -- 35 hectares are of the acclaimed Grand Fief de l'Audigère, a lieux-dit which sits on gabbro (volcanic rock) deposits.
There are also challenges to living near the coast, including mildew issues, to which Jean-Pascal is not immune. This problem led to his foray into sustainable practices and wholehearted embrace of lutte raisonnée. The years to switch to organic farming meant considerable losses for several vintages. However, today, the vineyards and grapes are healthier than ever.
What is "Lutte raisonnée"?
"Lutte raisonnée" is a French term that translates to "reasoned struggle" or "reasoned fight". It is a middle ground between conventional and organic farming methods. The fundamental principles are minimising synthetic chemicals, pesticides, and fertilisers in the vineyard.
Jean-Pascal's non-interventionist approach focuses on maintaining soil health, allowing the terroir to shine, and extracting harmonies from the terroir and grapes best known to the region.
Jean-Pascal does not miss a beat in fine-tuning every detail from grape to glass. In fact, every vineyard is, by design, at most 15km from the winery. Jean-Pascal's strategy of purchasing only smaller vineyards neighbouring his current vineyards keeps the fruit as near the winery as possible, assuring the preservation of freshness by avoiding the sun and bruising while keeping the grapes cool. The wine is at its clearest after racked from its lees.
When tasting Jean-Pascal Aubron's wines, expect his meticulous attention in the vineyard to gorgeously express itself in a composition of flavours and aromas with striking acidity, minerality, salinity, and a lovely purity of fruit. And, the value-for-quality ratio from this part of the Loire is most impressive - taste for yourself!
Domaine Jean Aubron, Cuvee Elegance, Muscadet Sevre et Maine
Jean-Pascal starts his fermentation in stainless steel and transfers the wine to glass-lined underground tanks to sit on their lees until he feels they’re ready. The result is a true masterpiece of its terroir with lemon, lime, white flowers and salty notes of the sea -- an intense mineral mouthfeel with a balanced and fresh acidity.
Domaine Jean Aubron, Folle Blanche Sur Lie
100% Folle Blanche from old vines. Zippy and electric - just like the lighting bolts on the label. Crisp and bright as the sun, with notes of stone fruit, lime zest and limestone, white flowers and a bit of beachy salinity. Easy drinking but with the complexity of a creamy finish from its time on lees.
Domaine Jean Aubron, Les Bulles Pet'Nat
This is Jean Pascal's first walk into the world of pet'nat - a year-round gentle sparkler. Fermentation starts naturally and then finishes in a bottle. It is 100% Melon de Bourgogne with bright and refreshing acidity - zippy, soft lemon flavours, crisp minerality and a hint of salinity. Crown-capped and fun in a bottle.
Domaine Jean Aubron, Sauvignon Blanc Vieilles Vignes
This quaffable 100% Organic Sauvignon Blanc from old vines, undergoes a meticulous winemaking process, including stainless fermentation, no fining, light filtration, and minimal sulfuring. Grassy herbs on the nose lead to green apple peel, chalk dust, and honeydew melon notes, creating a symphony of flavours with additional hints of minerality and a touch of citrus.
