Chablis wine

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The Chablis wine region is the northernmost sector of Burgundy, France, and also the name of a town located there.

The Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée system divides the region into four classifications: Petit Chablis AOC, Chablis AOC, Chablis Premier Cru AOC and Chablis Grand Cru AOC.

All wines in the appellations are white wines from Chardonnay grapes (although there are some smaller minor appellations nearby that produce wines from Pinot Noir, Aligoté, Sauvignon Blanc and others). The area is made up of 20 or so small villages clustered around the centrally located village of Chablis. The region is divided in two by the Serein River.

The Grand Crus of Chablis are connected on a chain of three interlocking slopes on the right bank overlooking the Serein. The seven Grand Cru vineyards are (from southeast to northwest): Blanchot, Les Clos, Valmur, Grenouilles, Vaudesir, Les Preuses and Bougros. The Premier Crus are situated on a series of hillsides both on the left and right side of the river. The best Premier Crus are, like the Grand Crus, on the right bank facing the southwest (notably, Fourchaume vineyard, located one mile to the north). The soil is a unique combination of clay and chalk called “Kimmeridgian”, named after the period of history and the English town of Kimmeridge, and it is profusely littered with fossils of comma-shaped oysters. It gives the wines a unique profile of aromas and flavors. It is often referred to as having a goût de pierre à fusil, or gunflint character. Another oft-mentioned characterization is that of "wet rocks". The fruit flavor is less intense than elsewhere in Burgundy, as Chablis' northern location produces grapes that just barely reach an acceptable level of ripeness. There are often flavors of green apples, pineapples, lemon and pink grapefruits. Finally the wines are also typified by their strong acidity, the Grand and Premier Cru wines are at their best after 5 - 10 years of cellaring. However, the Petit Chablis and Chablis appellations are best drunk young.

[edit] Use of the name "Chablis"

Before the use of varietal labeling became the norm in the New World, wine producers borrowed the names of wines that their products resembled and with which consumers would be familiar. This practice is now rare and virtually limited to some inexpensive jug wines. New World wines are now generally labeled by grape variety.

[edit] See also

• French wine
• Semi-generic

[edit] External links

• A guide to where to stay and dine in Chablis
• Chablis Office of Tourism
• Union des Grands Crus de Chablis
• Complete List of Chablis Premier Crus