Chablis

Characteristics of Chablis wine

Chablis wines are recognized as dry white wines. They are characterized by colors that combine greenish-gold and gray. This wine can also have emerald reflections. Highly prized for its acidity, it combines minerality, natural freshness and tension. Over time, a Chablis wine can develop spicy, exotic aromas and a golden color. Well-aged, some wines are described as more expressive and round at the same time. With its strong identity, Chablis wine has everything to seduce wine lovers.

How is Chablis wine made?

Winemaking is a crucial stage that determines the quality of a wine. As for Chablis wines, vinification generally depends on the cuvée. For the Grands Crus, their cuvées are fermented in oak barrels to provide roundness and finesse. For other wines, particularly Petit Chablis, producers adopt tank-ageing or fermentation. This is the most popular winemaking method in Chablis.

Chablis wines and their ageing potential

Several criteria determine the ageing capacity of this type of wine. These include Chablis appellationclimate and vintage. The wine's container can also influence its ageing capacity: the larger the container, the greater the ageing capacity (a magnum, for example, will keep longer than a standard bottle). In general, you can drink a Petit Chablis within two years of production. A Chablis can be drunk young. On the other hand, it can be kept for up to seven years. Chablis wines classified as "crus" are distinguished by their exceptional ageing potential. Premier Crus can be kept for over ten years. Chablis Grand Cru can be drunk for up to 25 years. Like all other vintage wines, this type of wine must be stored properly to guarantee its quality.

The Chardonnay grape variety

Chablis white wines come in several appellations, including Petit Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru and Chablis Grand Cru, and are made from the Chardonnay grape. This grape draws its personality from old subsoil. It also ripens under the right conditions to ensure a good balance between freshness, minerality and sugar content. It should be pointed out, however, that the Chablis appellation is characterized by production areas and, of course, production conditions.

Predictive terroir for AOC Chablis wines

The great Chablis vineyard is a prestigious and unique terroir. It is, however, well-divided to produce the four AOC Chablis. The vineyards of the premier crus and AOC Chablis are located on Exogyra virgula. Composed of marl, this terrain is also covered with pebbles. Grand Cru vineyards, on the other hand, are planted on clay-limestone soils, which give the wines their distinctive qualities.

How to serve Chablis wines?

If you're thinking of buying Chablis wine, it's important to know how to pair it with food. This wine goes perfectly with poultry. Younger Chablis wines, such as Premier Cru white wines, go well with poached fish, goat's cheese and pressed cheeses. Today, a Chablis wine can be found in Japanese and Indian cuisine. It is also used as an aperitif. Last but not least, this wine can be paired with desserts to boost flavor.

Appellation d'origine contrôlée Chablis benefits white Burgundy wines produced in some twenty communes around the town of Chablis in the Yonne department. The appellation was granted by decree in 1938. The Chablis vineyards occupy the slopes bordering the Serein valley. It's an undulating region whose summits are often wooded. The Chablis vineyard comprises 4 appellation levels: Chablis Grand Cru, Chablis Premier Cru, Chablis and Petit-Chablis.

The vineyards of Chablis and Chablis Premier Cru lies on a stony, clay-limestone soil, and belongs geologically to the Jurassic period, with the Kimmeridgian being the most represented stage. Summers are hot, winters long and harsh. Levels of sunshine and rainfall vary considerably from year to year, making the quality and quantity of each vintage extremely vulnerable.

Chablis wines and Chablis Premier Cru are made exclusively from the finest grapes. ChardonnayChablis is the only grape variety authorized to produce the vineyard's white wines. The reputation of Chablis wines is very high, and for many years Chablis has been synonymous with great dry white wines the world over.

Finally, the Chablis Grand Cru is divided into 7 climats with distinct personalities: Blanchot, Bougros, Les Clos, Grenouille, Les Preuses, Valmur and Vaudésir. The excellence of these terroirs is perfectly represented by houses such as the Domaine Billaud-Simonthe Domaine William Fèvre, La Chablisienne - Château Grenouilles or Long-Depaquit...