Chablis
In Burgundy, Chablis is known for its bright, radiant, top-quality Chardonnays – white wines with a steely acidity and an impressive minerality. However, the region also produces Grands Crus that are much more complex and full-bodied. These wines can be aged for an eternity.
The best wines in Chablis
In Burgundy, Chablis is known for its bright, radiant, top-quality Chardonnays – white wines with a steely acidity and an impressive minerality. However, the region also produces Grands Crus that are much more complex and full-bodied. These wines can be aged for an eternity.
Where exactly is Chablis?
It may come as a surprise that Chablis is actually considered part of Burgundy. This is because the sub-region is located about 150 kilometres from Dijon – and is therefore closer to the Côte des Bar in Champagne than to Burgundy itself. It is precisely this geographical circumstance that makes Chablis a small enclave, so to speak.
The 5,500 hectares of vineyards nestle on the banks of the river Serein. The growing area is divided into four different appellations. The basic qualities, which are produced furthest from the Serein on younger soils, are called Petit Chablis. The vines that produce the grapes for Chablis are also not located directly on the banks of the Serein, but they do have older soils. All wines that are produced on both banks of the river on very old soils can call themselves Chablis Premier Cru. And then there are the seven Chablis Grands Crus, which can be found on the right bank of the Serein, on a small hill directly next to each other.
Grapes in wines from Chablis
There can only be one in Chablis. Namely, Chardonnay. In fact, every Chablis wine is made exclusively from Chardonnay. Allegedly, the monks of the Cistercian Abbey of Pontigny introduced the grape variety to the region in the Middle Ages. However, there is no evidence of this. Although it is actually much too cold for Chardonnay in Chablis, the winegrowers have never changed their grape variety. Even after the phylloxera catastrophe at the end of the 19th century, when there was a mass extinction among the vines and the vineyard area shrank to just 500 hectares, they continued to cultivate only Chardonnay. This naturally makes you wonder why? The answer can be found in the soils, because they more than make up for the climate. At least when it comes to Chardonnay.
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Climate and soils in Chablis
As we have already indicated, the Chablis region has a very cool continental climate. This is accompanied by regular severe late frosts, which have already caused the complete buds to freeze to death several times, leaving the winegrowers with hardly any harvest. In the 1950s, the frosts were so severe and catastrophic that the entire region was starving! This only changed in the 1960s, when the winegrowers set up oil-fired stoves in their best locations to protect their vines. There are now numerous frost protection measures in Chablis. However, no remedy has yet been found for hail, which is still a regular guest in late summer and early autumn.
So why do the vintners in Chablis still expose themselves to all of this? Because of the soils! The vines for the Petit Chablis, for example, grow on the so-called Portland limestone. This is a brown and hard limestone that originated in the Jurassic period – and thus about 200 million years ago. However, the remaining soil in Chablis, which is characterised by Kimmeridge, is even more impressive. This is a cool and very calcareous clay soil with inclusions of fossilised shell sediments. It also formed during the Jurassic period, but is even slightly older than the Portland limestone. Chardonnay reacts particularly strongly to this soil, which is otherwise only found in Champagne and on the coast of southern England, and the grape variety conveys its pronounced minerality to the wines
The Grand Crus of Chablis
The Grand Cru vineyards of Chablis are:
- Blanchots
- Les Clos
- Valmur
- Grenouilles
- Vaudesirs
- Preuses
- Bougros
What does a wine from Chablis taste like?
Depending on the quality level, Chablis wines can taste very differently. For example, a Petit Chablis is very fruity, with charming citrus notes and hints of white peach or Golden Delicious. Often there is also a nice touch of flint, which comes from the soil. A Chablis, on the other hand, is easily recognisable by its lively freshness. Here, the minerality is more refined and is flanked by aromas such as freshly mown hay, mint or even lime blossom.
How different a Chablis Premier Cru is! In addition to the mineral notes, there are often floral nuances. The wine itself has a higher intensity and is already much more complex. It should also be allowed to mature for a few more years. Because when it is young, it often seems closed. Four or five additional years in the bottle can work wonders. The crowning glory is the Chablis Grand Cru. Unlike the other examples, this is aged in oak barrels rather than in stainless steel tanks. This gives it a creamy texture and makes the structure more complex. At the same time, the wines shine with such minerality that the acidity almost rolls over the tongue like steel. The Grand Cru also benefits from further bottle ageing. But be careful! Between the ages of four and five, it likes to close up completely. This is quite easy to burn. Because then it tastes like wet wool. If this should happen to you, please don't open the next bottle for another two years to be on the safe side.
What food goes well with a Chablis?
The dishes served with Chablis wines are as diverse as the wines themselves. A Petit Chablis is perfect as an aperitif or to accompany a crisp salad. A Chablis, meanwhile, goes well with pasta in a creamy sauce or a rich risotto. It also goes very well with grilled salmon or fried trout. With a lightly aged Chablis Premier Cru, we prefer to serve medium-aged cheeses or grilled poultry. With a Chablis Grand Cru, you could even opt for veal or pheasant. And if you can't decide which Chablis is best suited to you and your palate, just contact us. Best of Wines is happy to help you maximise your enjoyment with our carefully curated range.