Located near Auxerre and isolated from the rest of the vineyards of Burgundy , the name Chablis yet has a very strong notoriety , in France and abroad. This is also the second largest of the communal appellations in France in terms of area, behind Saint-Emilion and in front Chateauneuf-du-Pape .
But then what are THE Origins of the Chablis vineyard? What is the one and only grape variety of the appellation? What is the difference between Chablis and Petit Chablis? What to expect when tasting? What to pair with a glass of Chablis? You will have all the answers to your questions thanks to this article.
Have a good trip to the land of Chardonnay! (and damn...I've already spoiled it)
Chablis: a thousand-year-old history
In 1114 , the Cistercian monk Hugues de Mâcon founded a second abbey in Pontigny, north of Chablis. The latter then received vines as a gift so that it could also provide a religious service.
From the 15th century, Chablis wines will begin to be exported in France. This is also the time when they arrive on the royal tables .
The vineyard thus continues its development until the terrible phylloxera crisis , this insect which ravaged French and European vineyards in the end of the 19th century . Then, if the first half of the 20th century East marked by the official creation of the AOC Chablis (1938) , This are especially the two great wars which will impact the cultivation of the vine, causing the Chablis vineyard to fall in 1955 only 550 hectares .
The hard work of the winegrowers will gradually pay off its wine-growing splendor to the region, and this mainly from the 1970s , a decade during which Chablis began to take on a significant qualitative and quantitative boom .
Today, the Chablis vineyard has more than 5,800 hectares And represents 20% of Burgundy wine production , a progression spectacular! Moreover, the appellation shines not only in France but also (and especially) abroad. This one in fact exports more than 65% of its wines , counting the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada as its first customers.
Terroir, climate and grape variety of AOC Chablis
Located in the far north from Burgundy, Chablis is sitting on an ancient ocean having left of very numerous sediments .Indeed, here is 150 million years , the lands of the region were covered with water. Today, we therefore find in the vineyard of very numerous marine fossils from this Kimmeridgian period, making Chablis a vineyard with a typically clay-limestone terroir .
From a climate point of view, the region is characterized as semi-continental And is therefore marked by long, cold winters and hot summers. A certain oceanic influence (humidity and precipitation) is also present.
Finally, The only grape used here is the Chardonnay . You will have understood it, In Chablis, we only do white wine ! This grape variety, the second most planted in France in its color, adapts wonderfully well to this terroir as well as to this climate, producing wines evoking finesse, purity and minerality .
Chablis limestone sample with fossils
Petit Chablis, Chablis, Premier Cru and Grand Cru
But then, how is the Chablis vineyard composed? Well it's quite simple, here we count 4 appellations: Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru and Chablis Grand Cru . These climates (or plots), are categorized as follows: depending on the quality of their terroir. Here are the distinctions to remember.
AOC Little Chablis & Chablis
Representing 19% of Chablis production, AOC Petit Chablis evolves in the same appellation area as Chablis (66% of production).
But then, why “Petit” Chablis? Well, quite simply because The plots of vines in the appellation are facing north and in the past, these lands were perceived as of lower quality because receiving less sunshine throughout the year , thus not promoting the ripening of the grapes. Consequently, the wines made on these plots are more lively and tense than average .
This is still the case today but Be careful not to make generalizations ! With the global warming , the cards have indeed been reshuffled in recent years. Indeed, the Petit Chablis appellation is capable of producing excellent wines, sometimes having nothing to envy certain Chablis.
AOC Chablis Premier Cru & Chablis Grand Cru
At the top of the hierarchy, we find the classified plots Chablis Premier Cru (14% of production) and Chablis Grand Cru (the top 1% of production). These are the the noblest terroirs of the region , where the best wines are produced thanks to sunny exposures which promote good ripeness.
Today we count 17 Flagship Climates Ranked First Growth on the Chablisian, the the most famous plots being Thunder Rise, Fourchaume, Vaillons or even Montmains .
Finally, we count 7 Great Growths : Vaudésir, Frogs, Les Clos, Blanchot, Bougros, Preuses and Valmur .These climates, producing the quintessence of the appellation's wines, are located exclusively on the right bank of the Serein, a small river crossing the village of Chablis, and are the best exposed of the vineyard .
Chablis wine tasting and pairings
With such a diversity of plots, Chablis is able to offer all possible shades of Chardonnay . In order to help you better categorize the different wines from the vineyard according to their appellation, here are the main markers to remember. Be careful, however, these characteristics are generalities! Therefore, thousands of shades exist between wines of the same appellation and many factors are taken into account such as the terroir , the vintage effect or even winemaking produced by the estate (stainless steel vats, tuns, oak barrels, etc.).
- Little Chablis : wine offering a great tension in the mouth and expressing notes of citrus fruits, green apple, white flowers as well as a beautiful minerality.
- Chablis : if the tension as well as the minerality are still very present, we generally note a slightly richer profile than Petit Chablis. Notes of citrus, green apple, peach and pear are detected on the palate.
- Chablis Premier Cru : the acidity begins to calm down here and we enjoy a more gourmet material . Notes of citrus, peach, pear and butter appear. A custody capacity ranging from 5 to 10 years is generally possible.
- Chablis Grand Cru : The fruit notes are very ripe here, evoking peach and apricot. In addition, the matter is enveloping and the storage potential can be impressive . Nevertheless, the minerality and the Chablisian freshness never completely disappear, to our great delight!
From a food and wine pairing point of view, The characteristics of Chablis wines allow them to adapt ideally to many situations. Petit Chablis and Chablis will be sufficient in itself for example during a aperitif but can also be served during the meal with summer salads, seafood, fish, fresh goat cheese, young Comté or even Saint-Nectaire .
Thanks to their aromatic richness, Chablis Premier Cru and Grand Cru will be as for them to enjoy during the meal These can be paired in the same way as a classic Chablis, although they can support more powerful tasting dishes.
From a point of view serving temperature , Petit Chablis and Chablis will be ideally appreciated between 8-10°C while Premiers and Grands Crus will ideally reveal their flavors when served between 10-13°C .
What are the best Chablis? ?
Although it is complex to give an exhaustive list of the best Chablis, The Illuminated Cellar has selected for you some vintages of choice of the domain Garnier & Sons . All the styles of the appellation are gathered here: from white lively and mineral as desired with Chardonnay becoming more generous and with a great storage capacity. I There is something for all tastes and budgets!
- Garnier & Sons Estate - Chablis
- Garnier & Sons Estate - Chablis 1er Cru Middle Mount
- Garnier & Sons Estate - Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos
YOU here we are ready to do battle with the Chablis vineyards ! You only have left now more than to succumb to the delicious minerality of the region’s wines. And above all, do not hesitate to contact The Illuminated Cellar if you need advice!
