Wines from CHABLIS!

Chablis is the name of one of the five sub-regions of the remarkable Burgundy wine region. Situated in the northern part of Burgundy, between Paris and Beaune and close to the Champagne region, it is an exceptional quality white wine region produced from a single grape variety, Chardonnay.

Chablis are fresh, mineral, elegant wines with pure fruity aromas. The Chablis vineyard's soil and subsoil are one of the reasons for the purity of its character. It dates back 150 million years consisting of a sedimentary basin, once covered by the sea, rich in shells and compacted fossils of marine animals. This subsoil composed of grey marl alternating with limestone banks and fossils is known as Kimmeridgian, giving rise to wines of a sharp minerality, often described as steel-like, impossible to replicate in other terroirs.

The climate is hard to classify. With long, harsh winters and hot summers, it is often considered semi-continental but has some oceanic and continental influence. During spring, frost can occur, which is devastating for the vines. This period is critical for the vine as the buds are in bloom. Throughout the years, viticulturists have used and improved several methods to heat vines to minimise the effects of frost. Among other practices, can be used candles. They also can spray water onto the buds to create a thin layer of ice, ensuring the bud temperature stays at zero degrees and does not drop any further.

The wines produced in the Burgundy region, and naturally in Chablis, are divided into Protected Designations of Origin (AOP) that delimit the geographical area.

Some Protected Designations of Origin also have a complementary Geographical Appellation indication, identifying a more restricted territory.

Finally, some vineyards are another category according to the "climat" that identifies a specific vineyard area. And there are plots or "climats" classified as Grand Cru, Village and Régionale. In turn, vineyards in the Village category may have plots of land elevated to the Premier Cru category.

A Village category Chablis wine has on its label the identification of the commune (village) from where the grapes come. A Village Premier Cru has the name of the commune and may (or may not) have the name of the vineyard parcel from which the grapes come. In the Grand Cru, the name of the vine is on the label. The appellation Régionale covers the whole of Burgundy from grapes grown in a particular region. A Régionale wine can have on the label the indication of the wine region from which it comes, for example, Bourgogne Côte D'Or or simply as Bourgogne Red and Bourgogne White.

The classification of Burgundy can be rather complicated to understand, but we inevitably talk about it. Now let's see how the wines of Chablis are classified and what the differences between them are.

There are four Apellations of Protected Origin of Chablis:
- Petit-Chablis
- Chablis
- Chablis Premier Cru
- Chablis Grand Cru

Petit-Chablis
Petit-Chablis is a Protected Designation of Origin of the Village category, and all the communes of Chablis produce these wines. The Petit-Chablis vineyards are on the highest slopes in the youngest soils and represent around 19% of Chablis production.

Made to be consumed young, Petit-Chablis are simple wines without oak ageing. They are light, vibrant and rich in white flowers and citrus aromas. Vivid and balanced, they are excellent with salads, oysters, boiled or grilled prawns, sashimi, sushi, grilled fish, fish dishes seasoned with lemon, fried snacks, cheeses such as Gouda, Nisa, Terrincho, and Gruyère or simply on their own. The recommended serving temperature is 9°-10°C.

Chablis
Chablis is the largest Appellation of Protected Origin and represents about 66% of the wines produced. It is a Village category wine and can be made in the communes of Beines, Béru, Chablis, Fyé, Milly, Poinchy, La Chapelle-Vaupelteigne, Chemilly-sur-Serein, Chichée, Collan, Courgis, Fleys, Fontenay-Près-Chablis, Lignorelles, Ligny-le-Châtel, Maligny, Poilly-sur-Serein, Préhy, Villy and Viviers. Its vineyards are alongside the Serein river in the Yonne department.

This wine is more complex and has more depth than Petit-Chablis. Generally, it has no oak and the mineral, citrus and white flower aromas are less subtle than in Petit-Chablis. It is a beautifully elegant wine with a pleasant touch of saltiness. It may have mint, lime, hay and liquorice notes, amongst others. With ageing, it can show spicy notes. A wine to be drunk young, between 2-3 years old.

It goes well with sushi, seafood, grilled fish, lemon-seasoned fish dishes, fried fish, vegetable terrine, vegetarian dishes, mushroom dishes, roast chicken, chicken fricassee, Thai cuisine, lightly spiced Indian cuisine, goat's cheese, Feta, Beaufort, Comté and Emmental cheeses or just as an aperitif. Serving temperature recommended between 10°-11°C.

Chablis Premier Cru
There are 40 plots of vineyard elevated to the Premier Cru category in the communes of Beines, Chablis, La Chapelle-Vaupelteigne, Chichée, Courgis, Fleys, Fontenay-Près-Chablis, Fyé, Maligny, Milly and Poinchy. Chablis Premier Cru represents 14% of the wines produced in Chablis.

The vineyards are on the hillside on the banks of the Serein river, and there are differences between the wines depending on their location. For this reason, some of the less recognised plots of land joined with the more famous ones. In practice, this means that whilst there are 40 plots of land (climats) with Premier Cru status, there are generally only 17 climats with Premier Cru status. These 17 climats, called "flag-bearing climats", are Mont de Milieu, Montée de Tonerre, Fourchaume, Vaillons, Montmains, Côte de Léchet, Beauroy, Vaucoupin, Vosgros, Vau de Vey, Vau Ligneau, Les Beauregards, Les Fourneaux, Côte de Vaubarousse, Berdiot, Côte de Jouan, Chaume de Talvat.

Infographic of the climats of cru wines

 If a Chablis Premier Cru has grapes from more than one climat, then it is labelled as Chablis Premier Cru without indicating the name of the vineyard parcel or climat.

If a Chablis Premier Cru has grapes from a climat associated with one of the 17 flag-bearing climats, you may decide to use the name of the flag-bearing climat to which it is associated.

Chablis Premier Cru are wines with more intensity and concentration. The ones from Serein's right bank are more fruity and more structured and generally the most appreciated. Those from the left bank are more restrained and floral.

The most famous Premier Cru climats from the right bank are Fourchaume, Montée de Tonnerre, Mont de Milieu and Vaulorent. On the left bank, Vaillons and Montmains are well known.

One of the characteristics of Chablis wines is that they rarely go through barrels to preserve their purity and minerality. However, some Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines may have fermentation or ageing in barrels. As these wines are more complex and concentrated, they do not get oaky.

Chablis Premier Cru can be enjoyed young, but they age very well and become much more complex in flavour between 5 and 10 years.

Their mineral character and saline notes make these wines a perfect match for oysters and other seafood prepared in a simple style. Fish or chicken dishes with a creamy and subtle sauce are also good options. Serving temperature recommended between 10°-11°C.

Chablis Grand Cru
Considered the jewel of the crown of Chablis wines, it represents only 1% of the wines produced in the Chablis region. Their vineyards are in the most privileged location on the right bank of the Serein River in generally warmer areas. The communes which produce these wines are Chablis (most of them), Fyé and Poinchy. There are 7 Grand Cru vineyard parcels or climats: Blanchot, Bougros, Les Clos, Grenouilles, Preuses, Valmur, and Vaudésir.

They are the most complex and have the most personality. Made to last, they have an incredible minerality, elegance and balance and are considered one of the world's great wines. They are deep and have many layers.

A Chablis Grand Cru goes excellent with seafood dishes, especially lobster with creamy or butter sauces. Foie gras is another delicacy that pairs perfectly with the aromatic complexity of a Chablis Grand Cru. 

And poultry dishes with cream sauces are another great option. Recommended serving temperature is 12°-14°C.

Now you know more about Chablis and its wine styles, try them and make your gastronomic matches! You will realise they are unique wines, very different from Chardonnay from other regions of the world.