France: Chablis Grand Crus Flashcards
What Chablis Grand Cru is this?
Blanchot
Named after the white chalky soil. Blanchot wraps around the side of the hill to have a southeast aspect, unlike its neighbors. This makes Blanchot wines less fruity and powerful, but that actually can be a good thing. Lighter and more acid-driven, with tart citrus notes, these wines mature faster but can be charming in youth.
What Chablis Grand Cru is this?
Bougros
(Name from: “Bouguerots” or “Bouque-eau” meaning :small passage along the river)
Bougros is a steep, mostly south-facing vineyard with richer soil, creating softer, plumper wines. Though it tends more towards fruit than minerality, Bougros wines are friendlier in youth than some of the more acid-driven Grand Crus.
What Chablis Grand Cru is this?
Grenouilles
Grenouilles is located along the Serein riverbank; the name of the vineyard means “frogs.” Because the vines are south-facing, they receive sun all day, creating a ripe, fruit-forward style of wine. If you want to drink a Grand Cru without cellaring it, Grenouilles is a good choice.
What is this Chablis Grand Cru “climat” called?
La Moutonne
Officially not recognized by the INAO, yet. Allowed to carry the GrandCru title. Today La Moutonne is a monopole owned by a single producer: Domaine Long-Depaquit.
What is this Chablis Grand Cru “climat” called?
Les Clos
Of the Grand Crus, Les Clos is the largest, most well-known, and arguably the best. Name comes from a wall ( clos) that used to be around the vineyard. It has an open, southwest-facing slope, allowing the vineyard to have exposure to warm, plentiful afternoon sunshine. This is important for ripening in cool Chablis and gives Les Clos wines that intoxicating push-pull between opulence and fine acidity. If you’re looking for a Grand Cru wine that will age for decades, Les Clos is a solid bet.
What is this Chablis Grand Cru “climat” called?
Les Preuses
Preuses can vary from upper slope vines to lower slope vines. Overall, these tend to be elegant, round wines with delicate aromatics.
What is this Chablis Grand Cru “climat” called?
Valmur
Name from: valley of berries or valley of walls. Like Vaudésir, it is a “mini-valley” carved by erosion, with a surprising amount of variety in its expositions, including some north-facing sites that bring incredible freshness.
It often needs time to age, as these acid-driven wines are both powerful and austere in youth.
What is this Chablis Grand Cru “climat” called?
Vaudésir
sometimes called the “Valley of Vaudésir” as the Grand Cru hill has been eroded here to make a small valley.
This history of erosion makes three big differences. First, the steeper sides give the vines extra sun for ripening. Second, it means that there are both south and southwest-facing slopes, giving complexity.
Finally, the erosion means that parts of the vineyard have more clay in the soil than most of the Grand Crus. The result is a wine of incredible balance, with elegant minerality and delicious fruit
