What is Pink Chablis wine? What is this pink wine called Chablis? A - Ah, the subtleties of marketing. You are correct; Chablis is traditionally a white wine. In France, Chablis wines come from the extreme northern tip of the Burgundy region and are crisp, dry, full-bodied white table wines made from the chardonnay grape. Click to see full answer.
Is Chablis wine sweet or dry?
dry white wineThe grapevines around the town of Chablis make a dry white wine renowned for the purity of its aroma and taste. In comparison with the white wines from the rest of Burgundy, Chablis wine has typically much less influence of oak. Most basic Chablis is unoaked, and vinified in stainless steel tanks.
What kind of wine is a Chablis?
ChardonnayChablis wines are dry white wines which are characterized by their purity, crispness, sophistication and minerality. The Chardonnay varietal gives results in Chablis unlike anywhere else.
Is Chablis a Champagne?
Like all the regions of Burgundy, Chablis has a legally enshrined hierarchy based on the quality of the land and soil. The cool-climate region is actually closer to Champagne vineyards than more southerly, and slightly warmer, regions of Burgundy, which makes orientation critical.Oct 10, 2018
What is the difference between Chablis and Chardonnay?
The difference between Chardonnay vs Chablis is simple. Chardonnay is a white wine grape, while Chablis is a French wine region. All white whites made in Chablis come from Chardonnay grapes. However, chardonnay wines made in other places are not called Chablis.Jun 30, 2021
Is Chablis a Sauvignon Blanc?
The main difference between Chablis vs Sauvignon Blanc is that Chablis is a region where wine is made mostly of Chardonnay. Sauvignon Blanc is its own varietal of grape. As far as flavor differences, Chablis is much drier compared to Sauvignon Blanc. Sauvignon Blanc is generally a much sweeter taste profile.Jan 4, 2022
Which is better Chablis or Sancerre?
It is no wonder that both whites have complexity and crisp minerality that make me want to eat fresh oysters! Still the Chablis has a little bit more body and the Sancerre more acidity. Both are great for summer! To that, we raise our glasses to you - santé!Jun 29, 2016
Is Chablis a Burgundy wine?
The influence of geology in the case of Chablis is so powerful that it may even overcome the characteristics of the chardonnay grape. Consider that Chablis, though it is classified as part of Burgundy, is in fact nearer to Sancerre than it is to the Côte de Beaune, where most other great white Burgundies come from.Aug 1, 2014
Is Chablis a good wine?
In fact, Chablis may be one of the best wines to help you understand the concept of “terroir,” and how much a winemaker's choices influence the final character of the wine.Aug 25, 2016
What wine is closest to Chablis?
The one obvious option to replace Chablis with is Petit Chablis. Other than that, dedicated Chablis customers often want to stick to alternative French wines, so very good Muscadet, Macon and Santenay can often work to fill the void.Dec 18, 2017
Is Pouilly Fuisse a Chablis?
Farther south from Chablis in Burgundy is the region that produces Pouilly Fuissé. Like Chablis, Pouilly Fuissé is made entirely of Chardonnay grapes, but the similarities end there. Unlike most Chablis, Pouilly Fuissé is oaked and because the grapes are grown in a warmer climate, the wine has more fruit flavors.Oct 6, 2016
Is Pinot Grigio like Chablis?
Wine Style and Flavor A basic Chablis is a crisp, dry wine with citrus fruit flavors, good acidity, and minerality. It is similar in style to a Chenin Blanc or Pinot Grigio (also known as Pinot Gris.)
Is Chablis a cheap wine?
Although they are not exactly cheap, they are also not outrageously expensive, considering that they are among the top offerings of one of the great wine styles of the world. Chablis is worthy of your attention and respect.Mar 19, 2018
What river is Chablis wine from?
The Seine river, easily accessible via the nearby Yonne river, gave the Chablis wine producers a near monopoly on the lucrative Parisian market. In the 17th century, the English discovered the wine and began importing large volumes. By the 19th century there were nearly 98,840 acres (40,000 ha) of vines planted in Chablis with vineyards stretching from the town of Chablis to Joigny and Sens along the Yonne. Some Champagne producers used Chablis as a basis for a sparkling cuvée.
Where is Chablis wine grown?
The Chablis ( pronounced [ʃabli]) region is the northernmost 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.
How many communes are there in Chablis?
Chablis is closer to the southern Aube district of Champagne than the rest of Burgundy. The region covers 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) x 20 kilometres (12 mi) across 27 communes located along the Serein river.
Where is Chablis located?
Chablis lies about 10 miles (16 km) east of Auxerre in the Yonne department, situated roughly halfway between the Côte d'Or and Paris. Of France's wine-growing areas, only Champagne, Lorraine and Alsace have a more northerly location. Chablis is closer to the southern Aube district of Champagne than the rest of Burgundy.
How many Premier Cru vineyards are there?
At the turn of the 21st century, there were 40 Premier Cru vineyards. The names of many of these vineyards do not appear on wine labels. The INAO permits the use of "umbrella names": smaller, lesser known vineyards are allowed to use the name of a nearby more famous Premier Cru vineyard. Some of the "umbrella" vineyards are Mont de Milieu, Montée de Tonnerre, Fourchaume, Vaillons, Montmains, Beauroy, Vaudevey, Vaucoupin, Vosgros, Les Fourneaux, Côte de Jouan and Les Beauregards. In general, Premier Cru wines have at least half a degree less alcohol by volume and tend to have less aromatics and intensity in flavors.
What influence did the Catholic Church have on the wine industry in the Middle Ages?
During the Middle Ages the Catholic Church, particularly Cistercian monks, became a major influence in establishing the economic and commercial interest of viticulture for the region . Pontigny Abbey was founded in 1114, and the monks planted vines along the Serein. Anséric de Montréal gave a vineyard at Chablis to the Abbey in 1186. In 1245 the chronicler Salimbene di Adam described a Chablis wine. Chardonnay is believed to have first been planted in Chablis by the Cistercians of Pontigny Abbey in the 12th century, and from there spread south to the rest of the Burgundy region.
What is the region of Chardonnay?
Varietals produced. Chardonnay (Beaunois) The Chablis ( pronounced [ʃabli]) region is the northernmost 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.
What is Chablis wine?
Chablis is the most northerly wine-producing district in France’s easterly Burgundy region. The area is known for its cool climates and signature chalky (Kimmeridgian) soils, which generally produce wines with high levels of acidity and prominent “flinty” characteristics.
What are the characteristics of Chablis wines?
Generally speaking, wines from Chablis tend to be crisp, acid-driven, and very refreshing. Due to the cool climate of the region, as well as its signature chalky soils, wines from the area often show notes of gunflint, chalk, oyster shells, and crushed or wet stones. In terms of fruit characteristics, wines from Chablis are often dominated by notes of green apple, pear, lemon, and other citrus fruits.
What grapes are used in Chablis white wine?
Kind of. All white wines from Chablis are produced from 100% chardonnay grapes. However, not all chardonnay comes from Chablis.
What is a petit Chablis?
Made by the region’s highest-quality producers, this petit Chablis is a must-try. Although the style is an afterthought for many domaines, this delicious wine is made with the same attention to detail as the estate’s other bottlings. Fruit comes from a 2.5-hectare parcel of young vines that yield lower amounts of grapes than usual, meaning that fruit is concentrated and flavor-packed. The wine ferments with native yeasts and is aged for nine months in stainless steel. Expect flavors of green apple, tangy citrus, underripe peach, and a touch of flint.
Where is Paul Nicolle wine made?
Based in the village of Fleys , Paul Nicolle (which is now officially run by Paul’s son Charly Nicolle) comprises 20 hectares of soon-to-be-certified-organic vines. Fruit for the old-vine cuvée comes from 25-to-30-year old vines rooted in Kimmerdgian clay-limestone soils. Post-fermentation, the wine ages on its lees for 12 to 18 months in steel prior to bottling. Notes of lemon, white flowers, oyster shell, and chalk dust jump from the wine’s vibrant palate. In terms of quality-to-price ratio, this may just be one of the best bottles of Chablis on the market.
Does Chablis have oak?
Many winemakers in Chablis choose to vinify their wines exclusively in stainless steel for the sake of preserving its natural acidity and freshness, though neutral oak is often used on Premier Cru and Grand Cru bottlings.
What Does Chablis Taste Like?
Wines from Chablis are frequently described as having citrus and white flower aromas with dry, lean, light-bodied flavors of citrus, pear, minerality, and salinity. Chablis rarely displays flavors of butter – an indication of oak-aging.
Chablis Food Pairing
Poulet à l’ Estragon is French for Chicken Tarragon. This recipe from Food52 by Tom Hirschfeld calls for 1/2 cup dry white wine–Chablis will work perfectly.
The Chablis Climate
The best Chablis vineyards have chalky light-colored clay marl soils from the Kimmeridgian age in the late Jurassic period. The soils were once an ancient sea bed covered in shells. by Adnan Yahya
Chablis Classification Information
The outer areas around the town of Chablis are part of the Petit Chablis appellation. Because of the variable landscape (slopes, valleys, and or north-facing vineyards), Petit Chablis wines tend to have higher acidity and more tart, citrus-like flavors.
About Madeline Puckette
James Beard Award-winning author and Wine Communicator of the Year. I co-founded Wine Folly to help people learn about wine. @WineFolly
What is Chablis wine?
Chablis is one of France’s most famous appellations and lies in the main winemaking region of Burgundy. It is, by some way the biggest “village” appellation of Burgundy. Chablis also has more Premier Crus and Grand Crus than any other appellation in the region. Here’s your guide to this great wine.
What is the perfect match for Chablis in its youth?
The perfect match for Chablis in its youth is oysters.
How many Grand Crus are there in Chablis?
In Chablis, which is the main village appellation there is also the Petit Chablis appellation which is a village appellation. There are also 40 Premier Crus AND 7 Grand Crus. You can recognise them on the label where the mention is stated. Normally the name of the “climat” (the parcel where the wine comes from) is cited:
What does "light delicate" mean in wine?
The wines are light delicate, by which I mean the fruitiness is delicate. The fruitiness of the wine is not super full, not rich and ripe. Traditionally, these wines are not oaked, or only very slightly. The typical flavours are mineral, iodine, smoky flint, but these are very subtle..
Why is acidity important in wine?
Acidity is very important for the ageing of a wine, but so is fruit, the fruitiness of the wine.
What is the wine region of Montepulciano?
It is also one of France’s best recognised wine names. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is an Italian wine region situated in Tuscany. It is often confused with Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Meursault is one of the 3 appellations of the golden triangle of Burgundy..
What is appellation in France?
Appellation in France is the name under which a wine is classified. There are different levels of appellations, but just see it as a guarantee of quality. It also guarantees a place of origin. This can be a region, or a city or smaller even a single vineyard.
Where is Chablis wine planted?
The Chablis name on a label covers the majority of the region's vineyards, planted in the Kimmeridgian soil slopes closer to the river that runs through the region . The best straight Chablis wines express all the classic characters: floral, honeyed aromas, that lip-smacking mineral refreshment on the tongue.
How many Grand Cru vineyards are there in Chablis?
Vineyards designated Premier Cru and Grand Cru are those deemed the best in the region. There are 40 Premier Cru sites and only seven Grand Cru sites, the latter all located on a perfect south-westfacing slope looking across the Serein to the village of Chablis itself.
What is the secret of Chablis?
The secret to Chablis lies in the soil. The vineyards surrounding the village of Chablis itself are planted mostly in soil derived from 150-million-year-old Kimmeridgian bedrock which, once upon a time, was deep under the sea. The ground is full of limestone and marl embedded with the fossilised remains of tiny sea creatures. This mineral-rich terroir produces chardonnay that often has a chalky, almost saline, savoury quality in the mouth – that quenching taste that makes Chablis such a superb match with seafood.
Why is Chablis so popular?
These three factors explain why Chablis is enjoying a surge in popularity in our wine shops and restaurants: people love drinking it, they love geeking out on the terroir-related differences; and they don't have to take out a second mortgage to indulge their obsession.
Why do I love Chablis?
I love Chablis. I love it because it's one of the most downright delicious white wines you can drink: thirst-quenching, brilliant with seafood, brilliant on its own.
What is a Premier Cru wine?
The Premier Cru wines have all the characters described above but a little more concentration and intensity in the mouth, with each of the vineyard sites – named on the label – contributing its own unique terroir characters: some a little more floral, some a little more mineral, and so on. Each Premier Cru (and Grand Cru) site is owned by a number of vignerons, and it makes for a wonderful grown-up drinking game to try wines from, say, the Côte de Léchet vineyard made by two or three different producers.
Overview
The Chablis region is the northernmost 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. These wines often have a "flinty" note, sometimes described as "goût de pierre à fusil" ("tasting of gunflint"), and sometimes as "steely". The Chablis Appellation d'origine contrôlée is required to use Chardonnay grapes solely.
Location
Chablis lies about 10 miles (16 km) east of Auxerre in the Yonne department, situated roughly halfway between the Côte d'Or and Paris. Of France's wine-growing areas, only Champagne, Lorraine and Alsace have a more northerly location. Chablis is closer to the southern Aube district of Champagne than the rest of Burgundy.
The region covers 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) × 20 kilometres (12 mi) across 27 communes located a…
History
During the Middle Ages the Catholic Church, particularly Cistercian monks, became a major influence in establishing the economic and commercial interest of viticulture for the region. Pontigny Abbey was founded in 1114, and the monks planted vines along the Serein. Anséric de Montréal gave a vineyard at Chablis to the Abbey in 1186. In 1245 the chronicler Salimbene di Adam described a Chablis wine. Chardonnay is believed to have first been planted in Chablis by …
Climate and geography
Located in northeast France, the Chablis region is considered the northernmost extension of the Burgundy wine region but it is separated from the Côte d'Or by the Morvan hills, with the main Burgundian winemaking town of Beaune located more than 62 miles (100 km) away. This makes the region of Chablis relatively isolated from other winemaking regions with the southern vineyards of the Champagne in the Aube department being the closest winemaking neighbor.
Viticulture
A serious viticultural concern for Chablis vineyard owners is frost protection. During the bud break period of a grapevine's annual cycle, the Chablis region is vulnerable to springtime frost, from March to early May, which can compromise the crop yield. Formerly, the financial risk involved saw many producers turn to polyculture agriculture, pulling up vineyards to plant alternative crops. The 1957 vintage was hit particularly hard by frost damage: the regional authorities reported tha…
Winemaking
The 20th century saw many advances in winemaking technology and practices—particularly the introduction of temperature-controlled fermentation and controlled inducing of malolactic fermentation. One winemaking issue that is still contested in the region is the use of oak. Historically Chablis was aged in old wooden feuillette barrels that were essentially neutral: they did not impart the characteristic oak flavors (vanilla, cinnamon, toast, coconut, etc.) that are today a…
Appellation and classification
The main Chablis Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée was designated on January 13, 1938, but the junior appellation of Petit Chablis was not designated until January 5, 1944. All the vineyards in Chablis are covered by four appellations with different levels of classification, reflecting all-important differences in soil and slope in this northerly region. At the top of the classification are the seven Grand Cru vineyards, which are all located on a single hillside near the town of Chablis…
Grapes and wine
All Chablis is made 100% from the Chardonnay grape. Some wine experts, such as Jancis Robinson, believe that the wine from Chablis is one of the "purest" expressions of the varietal character of Chardonnay, because of the simple style of winemaking favored in this region. Chablis winemakers want to emphasize the terroir of the calcareous soil and cooler climate that help maintain high acidity. Chablis wines are characterized by their greenish-yellow color and clarity. …