Chablis

Chablis is a French still white wine AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée - Controlled Designation of Origin) produced in the Burgundy region with Chardonnay grapes, the native grape of the area, best known and exported in the world. The production area of Chablis is located 100 kilometers from the main area of Burgundy and the white wines from this terroir of excellence are characterized by their freshness, marked acidity and minerality. Traditionally, fermentation and ageing take place in steel tanks, preserving the fresh varietal character of the Chardonnay grape. Some producers instead prefer to vinify and refine the Chablis in oak barrels, obtaining a rounder white wine, with vanilla and toasted notes. Since the grape from which Chablis is produced, Chardonnay, best expresses its potential in cool climatic areas, the wines produced in this area of Burgundy are unmatched anywhere else in the world. The origins of Chablis are very ancient. Although the cultivation of the vine in this area is due to the Romans, it is not possible to say that the wines produced at the time were whites made from Chardonnay grapes. This is why the history of Chablis officially begins in 510 AD, thanks to the contribution of the monastic orders who began to cultivate Chardonnay in Chablis. A central role in the development and spread of Chablis in Paris was played by the monks of Tours. The threat of Viking invasions forced them to move to Auxerre, an area well connected to Paris thanks to the presence of a river port. From the mid-15th century the wines of Chablis also reached England and Flanders. However, in the early 1600s, the invasion of the Huguenots and the destruction of the vineyards in the area caused an abrupt halt to the production and trade of Chablis . The recovery was slow and difficult, further aggravated starting in 1886 due to the arrival of powdery mildew and phylloxera, responsible for the definitive collapse of the production of Chablis wines. This continuous production collapse continued until 1950. The wine region of Chablis had been overwhelmed by history, the flourishing production of Chardonnay-based wines was now a distant memory of the past, when luck returned and an extraordinary rebirth started from Chablis wine that in recent decades has converted it into the world reference point for wines made from Chardonnay grapes.

Petit Chablis

Petit Chablis AOC is a still white wine produced with Chardonnay grapes coming mainly from vineyards cultivated in the plains. It is a ready-to-drink wine, perfect to be consumed young in combination with daily meals. It is characterized by its freshness, it is simple and delicate but at the same time perfect for understanding the true nature of the wines of the Chablis region.

Chablis Grand Cru

Chablis Grand Cru AOC is the highest category in the classification of Chablis wines and is reserved only for wines produced with Chardonnay grapes from 7 vineyards throughout Burgundy: Blanchots, Bougros, Grenouilles, Les Clos, Les Preuses, Valmur and Vaudésir. These are vineyards grown mainly on soils composed of gypsum and fossil deposits, the soil responsible for the marked minerality and acidity of the Chablis Grand Cru. The characteristic of these Chablis is the presence on the label of the name of the vineyard of origin and the absence of the name of the village.

What are the characteristics of the Chablis grape?

Chablis is a wine produced with Chardonnay grapes, a French native white grape variety, originally from Burgundy. The Chardonnay vine has a medium leaf, a compact cluster of medium size and cylindrical or conical shape and small, spheroidal-shaped berries, with a thin green-yellow skin and rich in bloom. Today, Chardonnay is one of the most cultivated white grape varieties in the world thanks to its extraordinary ability to adapt to the land and to acclimatize in profoundly different geographical areas. Chardonnay is grown in New Zealand, Israel, Australia, California, Chile, Argentina and of course in Italy. Chardonnay is a vine characterized by an early bud break, which is why it is essential to choose the right time for its harvest, since an excessive ripening of the grapes would generate a wine devoid of its natural acidity. Chardonnay is a widely used grape for sparkling wine and is characterized by its excellent ageing capacity. It gives rise to straw-yellow wines, has a sweet and fruity aroma and a very elegant flavor. Discover the best selection of Chablis and Chardonnay wines on Vino.com.

What are the best Chablis wine - food pairings?

Chablis is a fresh and mineral white wine, perfect for an aperitif based on salmon or oysters. It is excellent to combine with fish dishes and white meat dishes, fresh cheeses, vegetable soups and eggs. If you have an elegant dinner in mind, let yourself be overwhelmed by the aromatic notes of Chablis. Discover the best selection on Vino.com.

Chablis classifications

Chablis wines can be classified into 4 categories, from the least prestigious to the most prestigious: Petit Chablis AOC, Chablis AOC, Chablis Premier Cru AOC and Chablis Grand Cru AOC. 80% of Chablis production falls into the Petit Chablis and Chablis category. The wines that fall into the Chablis Premier Cru AOC category come from a selection of 40 vineyards throughout the appellation, while the wines that fall into the AOC Grand Cru category come from a selection of only seven vineyards throughout Burgundy: Blanchots, Bougros, Grenouilles, Les Clos, Les Preuses, Valmur and Vaudésir and are considered the finest wines of Chablis. On Vino.com you will find the best selection of Chablis. Discover the Chablis AOC Domaine de Vauroux, the Petit Chablis AOC Pas Si Petit La Chablisienne, the Chablis Premier Cru Vaucoupin AOC Domaine Michaut or the fine Domaine Laroche, Chablis Grand Cru AOC, Blanchot Reserve de l'Obedience. Discover the best selection of Chablis on Vino.com.