Vines have been grown here since Roman times, but cultivation took off in the twelfth century with the Cistercian monks from Pontigny Abbey. It really should be a must-visit for any wine lover. Centered around the town of Auxerre in the department of Yonne, the appellation was created back in 1938 with vineyards along the lovely Serein River. Technically, Chablis is considered the most northern part of Burgundy for whites, but in fact, it is much closer to Champagne than it is to Burgundy. Village of Chablis, France (photo courtesy Espirat/Wikipedia Commons) The Chablis region This was one of the most egregious examples of usurping a name/identity the wine world has experienced. It became the name for any nebulous wine produced anywhere. Perhaps the disdain comes from New World regions blatantly stealing the name for use on a range of whites from high-quality Hunter Semillon to rubbish in casks (wine in a box). Surely Les Clos, and indeed any Chablis Grand Cru from a top year, should be the proverbial lay down misère in the great wine stakes. A couple more might be left in the cellars for extended aging, but this was a fine time to open it. I sought permission from our organizer who happily granted it.įortunately, the wine drank wonderfully well. But I was not game just to bring it on spec. I had a magnum of Chablis from a top vintage, from the finest of its appellations, Les Clos, I was keen to try. Others ventured further afield, risking the grumblings, and shared some of the greatest from Alsace or even an aged Vouvray. A recent theme was “French whites, Grand Cru level.” For some, that meant a top White Burgundy and a horsewhipping for anyone venturing beyond the boundaries. I have mentioned various themed wine lunches with good mates in past columns. But normally they are simply subsumed into Burgundy. Why is it that Chablis never seems to get the love it deserves? Why do so many wine lovers, even those who buy and drink Chablis wine, often dismiss it as merely a little sibling of White Burgundy or some sort of curious offshoot?ĭoubt me? Try and find vintage charts for the region.
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