Chablis
Chablis is a wine region in northern Burgundy, known for its crisp, mineral-driven white wines made from the Chardonnay grape.
Chablis has a distinct terroir which greatly influences the character of its wines. Primarily Kimmeridgian limestone, the region’s geology contains fossilised marine shells and clay, imparting a remarkable minerality. A semi-continental climate means cold winters, warm summers, and significant weather variations from year to year. While the risk of frost provides an extra challenge to winemakers, the pleasant trade off is high acidity resulting in racy, exciting wines.
Chablis Chardonnay also typically exhibits bright acidity and crispness, notes of green apple, lemon, wet stone, and occasionally smokiness. Wines may be lean as youths, but fill out more and develop deeper complexity with age (as most of us tend to do), gaining creaminess while retaining their acidity. Winemaking techniques in Chablis focus on expressing purity and minerality – including stainless steel fermentation and ageing to preserve its fresh character – with minimal oak to avoid overpowering Chardonnay’s delicacy.
You may notice your chosen Chablis is classified into four appellations based on its quality and style, from Petit Chablis, to Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru, and at the apex, Chablis Grand Cru. You may like to add these names of our favourite Chablis Chardonnays to your ‘to drink’ list: Dom. Vincent-Dauvissat, Dom. Solange Tribut, William Fevre, and La Chablisienne.
You may notice your chosen Chablis is classified into four appellations based on its quality and style, from Petit Chablis, to Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru, and at the apex, Chablis Grand Cru. You may like to add these names of our favourite Chablis Chardonnays to your ‘to drink’ list: Dom. Vincent-Dauvissat, Dom. Solange Tribut, William Fevre, and La Chablisienne.
