Chablis

"Grap a glass and get to know Chablis. Chardonnay drinkers who taste Chablis for the first time are sometimes shocked. The pure fruit and intense, youthful acidity, the crispness and nervy texture without heavy oak,deeply rewarding wines, however some Chablis receive some maturation in oak

barrels ,will take notes more spicy,nutty flavors and the more golden color."MC

The Chablis region is the northern most wine district of the Burgundy region in France. The cool climate of this region produces wines with more acidity and flavors less fruity than Chardonnay wines grown in warmer climates.Chablis wine has typically much less influence of oak, and vinifiedin stainless steel tanks.

The Quality Pyramid

1.At the top of the Chablis hierarchy, the steep southwestern exposures of the region’s Grand cru vineyards yield complex, ripe wines.

The seven grand crus are Bougros, Les Preuses, Vaudésir, Grenouilles, Valmur, Les Clos and Blanchot. La Moutonne, shared between Les Preuses and Vaudésir and used on labels by Château Long-Depaquit, is not an official grand cru (the owners forgot to register it) but is of similar quality.

These wines can age well for many years.

2.Premier crus reflect their more varied terroirs,each one is a different universe.

The earth-bound premier crus of the Serein’s left bank are the southeast-facing slopes of Montmains, Vaillons, Côte de Léchet and Beauroy. The premier crus of the right bank’s southwest- facing slopes look to the air and the sun: Fourchaume, Montée de Tonnerre Mont-de-Milieu and Vaucoupin.

3.Chablis .These wines are generally blends from different vineyards on slopes not quite at the premier cru level. Chablis represents a producer’s style, while reflecting the weather variability that can give searing, shocking acidity one year and an almost honeyed character the next.

4.“Little” Chablis Petit Chablis is Chardonnay planted on the plateau above the slopes.These are fruity, gentle wines that are great as apéritifs. Light and bright.

Seven grand crus details and tasting nots

Bougros (37 acres): Aroma is key to robust and rounded wines here at the northern end of the grand crus. Structure enters with a steep parcel called Les Bouguerots.

Les Preuses (26 acres):Stony, steep vineyards, the highest of the crus, produce structured, mineral wines.

Vaudésir (38 acres):Two extraordinarily steep slopes face each other across a narrow track. Crisp wines face southeast; elegant and richer wines face southwest.

Grenouilles (23 acres):At the base of the slope, the most full-bodied, generous and open wines come from the richest soil of the grand crus.

Valmur (26 acres):This vertical cru is wedged between Vaudésir and Les Clos. Elegant wines with a mineral backdrop have a great ability to age.

Les Clos (64 acres):Less steep, on one long slope, it’s the most homogenous and finest grand cru. The result: long-lived and structured wines.

Blanchot (31 acres):This southernmost cru turns southeast to catch the morning sun. Chalky white with blue lime soils, it produces wines that are very mineral and crisply elegant.