Chablis Flashcards
Why was the 1850s to the 1950s a dark period for Chablis?
What changed?
—1855 the Marseille-Paris railway opened, providing a quick and efficient means of transporting cheap Midi wines to the French capital and beyond, while diminishing Chablis’ ability to compete.
—1886 powdery mildew; 1887 phylloxera
—WWI loss of farmers to war and WWII heavy bombardment
***1950s mechanization of vineyards and 1980s mechanical harvesters reclaiming lost acreage.
What communes make up Grand Auxerrois?
Vézelay
Irancy
Tonnerre
Joigny
How does the climate of Chablis differ from the rest of the Côte d’Or
Generally cooler and wetter, and so much more susceptible to spring frosts.
What are the three controlled appellations of Chablis?
Petite Chablis AOP
Chablis AOP
Chablis Grand Cru AOP
What is Chablis’ unofficial designation?
Burgundy’s porte d’or or “golden gate”
When were Chablis AOC laws established?
1938
How did the INAO restrict the viticultural zone of Chablis in 1938?
To areas wherein soils overlay Kimmeridgian marl, referring to an age in the Upper Jurassic Epoch, occuring roughly 150-157 million years ago.
What river is found in Chablis?
Serein river
What are the seven grand crus vineyards of Chablis?
Location? (W-E)
*Chablis Grand Cru AOP is single appellation, with seven official geographic designations (all on the right bank of the Serein):
Bougros: SW of Les Preuses and west of Vaudésir
Les Preuses: most northerly
Vaudésir: SE of Les Preuses and east of Bougros
Grenouilles: SE of Bougros and west of Valmur
Valmur: South of Vaudésir and east of Grenouilles
Les Clos: South of Grenouilles and Valmur
Blanchot: Most southern; South of Les Clos; only grand cru with SE exposures
Bougros and Preuses in 1938 added later
Four reasons Grand Crus of Chablis are Chablis’ best vineyards?
—Kimmeridgian soil
—privledged aspect (south/southwest; except SE for Blanchot)
—location near the Serein
—the regions warmest slopes, bathed in afternoon light and protected from cold north winds.
What is the eighth unofficial grand cru climat of Chablis
Who owns it?
Where is it located?
La Moutonne–a monopole of Domaine Long-Depaquit “Long- de-pack-KEY” overlapping Vaudesir and Preuses.
**Most of Domaine Long-Depaquit’s 2.35-ha monopole “La Moutonne” is within Vaudésir.
What restrictions are put on Chablis Grand Cru AOP
Minimum potential alcohol levels rise from 10% to 11%
Maximum base yields fall from 60 to 54 hl/ha.
Grand cru climats are also the only vineyards routinely harvested by hand in the entire region.
What are the 17 “major” premier crus of Chablis?
Which bank are they on?
Which is the largest from each bank?
Right Bank:
—Fourchaume (103.31 ha) only 1er cru north of the Grand Crus
—Berdiot (Far NE of the right bank)
—Côte de Vaubarousse (South of Berdiot)
—Les Fourneaux (SE of Vaubarousse)
—Montée de Tonnerre South of GC Blanchot)
—Mont de Milieu (SE of Montée de Tonnerre)
—Vaucoupin (SE of Mont de Milieu; furthest south of the Right Bank 1er cru)
Left Bank:
—Beauroy (northern-most 1er cru on left bank)
—Vau de Vey (west of Lechet)
—Vau Ligneau (SW of Vau de Vey)
—Côte de Léchet
—Vaillons (*113.3 ha) (north of Montmains)
—Montmains (sub climats, Butteaux and Forêt.)
—Vosgros (SE corner of left bank)
—Chaume de Talvat (SE corner; north of Jouan)
—Côte de Jouan (SE corner; south of Talvat and north of Beauregards)
—Les Beauregards (SE corner; southernmost 1er cru)
Which premier cru is widely considered the top cru in Chablis?
Montée de Tonnerre, a stone’s throw across the narrow Vallée de Bréchain from Blanchot, is widely considered the top premier cru in Chablis, and in the right hands (Raveneau, Patrick Piuze, Billaud-Simon) it surpasses many less ambitious estates’ grand cru output.
Describe generally the difference in flavor profile of the left bank and right bank crus of Chablis?
On left bank wines might appear a bit more restrained; the right bank wines show more opulent and exotic ripe fruit notes.
