Chablis Flashcards
Describe the climate in Chablis
Cool continental with cold winters and warm summers.
What is the average rainfall in Chablis?
670mm, spread throughout the year
What are the main threats to viticulture in Chablis?
Moist climate: increases disease pressure and problems of rot around harvest.
Spring frost
Hail storms
What latitude is Chablis found at, and what effect does this have on ripening grapes?
47 degrees north
Cool, northerly location means ripening can be uncertain
Describe the topography and soils you would expect in Petit Chablis AOC vineyards.
Typically higher (and cooler) vineyards on flat land or gentle slopes.
Portlandian Limestone soils; harder drier soils with less water retention
Describe the topography and soils of Chablis AOC vineyards
Vineyards have mixed aspects on flat land or gentle slopes.
Most vineyards are on Kimmeridgean Limestone soils
Describe the topography of Chablis 1er cru and grand cru AOC vineyards
Predominantly south facing slopes (more sunlight interception)
Sited mid slope (better drainage, more frost protection)
GC also sheltered from cold northerly winds by a belt of trees between it and the adjacent Petit Chablis vineyards
Describe the soils of Chablis 1er cru and grand cru AOC vineyards.
Kimmeridgean soils; mixture of crumbly marl with good drainage and high clay content for water retention contributes to higher quality.
Wines from Kimmeridgean marls are the richest, fleshiest and longest lived wines in Chablis
What techniques are used to mitigate frost risk in Chablis?
Smudge pots, sprinklers, later pruning to avoid earlier frosts.
1er Cru and Grand Cru vineyards are sited mid slope, so frost risk is lessened here
What rootstocks are popular in Chablis and why?
41B (Vinifera x Berlandieri) - tolerant of limestone soils with high ph
420A (riparia x berlandieri) is popular for its low vigour and tolerance to high ph soils
What vine training system is common in Chablis? Why?
Double guyot replacement cane training system; if one can is damaged in frost, the other may survive
How many named 1er cru vineyards in Chablis?
40
How many Grand Cru in Chablis?
There is a single Grand Cru which contains 7 named vineyards
Name the 7 vineyards contained within Chablis Grand Cru
Bougros Preuses Vaudesir Grenouilles Valmur Les Clos Blanchots
What are the maximum yields for Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru and Chablis Grand Cru
PETIT CHABLIS AND CHABLIS:
Max. 60hl/ha
CHABLIS 1ER CRU:
58hl/ha
CHABLIS GRAND CRU:
54hl/ha
Describe winemaking techniques for Petit Chablis and Chablis AOC wines. How might this differ for 1er + Grand Cru wines?
PETIT CHABLIS + CHABLIS:
- Chaptalisation is common
- Fermentation in stainless steel vats
- MLF is common to soften the acidity
- Storage in stainless steel or concrete for a few months before release
CHABLIS 1ER CRU + GRAND CRU:
- May be fermented and aged in oak (old or new)
- Time on lees to improve texture
Give a typical tasting note for a Petit Chablis / Chablis AOC wine.
Light bodied wine, light to medium intensity, green apple and lemon fruit
How do 1er Cru and Grand Cru wines compare with Chablis and Petit Chablis?
Greater concentration
Fuller body
Ability to age
What is the name of the main co-op in Chablis and how much of the region’s wine do they produce?
La Chablisienne
1/3 of all Chablis wine
They produce wines across all levels of the hierarchy
How much of Chablis’ wine is exported?
What are the top export markets?
2/3
UK, USA and Japan
What is the Sydicat de Defense de l’Appellation de Chablis?
Founded by Willam Fevre in 1993
Combat fraud
Address environmental issues
What is l’Union des Grand Crus de Chablis?
Association promoting quality of Chablis Grand Cru
Limited to those with GC sites.
Has a quality charter:
Sustainable viticulture
Hand harvesting.
What is the name of the river running through Chablis?
The River Serein
Why was Chablis popular in the early 19th century?
Because of its location close to Paris
What led to Chablis fall in production in the late 19th century?
Phylloxera
Powdery mildew
The construction of the Paris- Lyon- Marseille railway (couldn’t compete on price with the wines from the south of France)
What is the area under vine in Chablis?
5,500 ha
What events in the early 20th century led to a decline in area under vine in Chablis?
Rural depopulation following WW1
Frost of 1945
Area under vine shrank to just 500ha