Chablis and Chablis Premier Cru

The vineyards of Bourgogne produce some great wines with a historical and international reputation. However, the region is not simply limited to its iconic appellations. In addition to its Village Premier Cru and Grand Cru AOCs, it also produces a range of wonderful Régionale and Village appellations to explore.


You will also find a full list of the Bourgogne’s Climats and lieux-dits on this page.


Check out the complete list of the 84 Bourgogne appellations.

However, your exploration has only just begun. Bourgogne wines have never before offered such high quality. Besides our range of internationally celebrated wines, try some of our lesser-known appellations where there are lots of surprises in store.

And for a fun way to find out more about the wines on offer, try out our “Which Bourgogne wine is right for me?” quiz, or check out Bourgogne Maps to take an interactive tour of the region.

  • Category

    Village appellation

  • Wine-producing region

    VIGNOBLES DE CHABLIS ET DU GRAND AUXERROIS

  • Creation of the appellation

    13 janvier 1938

  • Colour

    White wines only - Chardonnay (known locally as " Beaunois ")

  • Chablis : Area under production*:
    1 hectare (ha) = 10,000 m² = 24 ouvrées.
    3,367.28 ha.
     

    Premier Cru : Area under production*:
    1 hectare (ha) = 10,000 m² = 24 ouvrées.
    783.19 ha.
     

  • Appellation Premier Cru of the Chablis wine-growing region (Yonne).
    This appellation comprises 40 Premier Cru Climats (named plots of vinegrowing land). Each commune or hamlet within the appellation has one or more main Climats, the name of which may be applied to the other Premier Cru Climats in that commune. There are 17 main Climats.
    Producing communes: Beine, Chablis, La Chapelle-Vaupelteigne, Chichée, Courgis, Fleys, Fontenay-près-Chablis, Fyé, Maligny, Milly, Poinchy.
    In this appellation, the words Premier Cru and/or the name of the Climat of origin may be added to the name CHABLIS for wines grown on Premier Cru plots.
     

    Chablis : Appellation Village of the Chablis wine-growing region (Yonne).
    Producing communes: Beine, Béru, Chablis, Fyé, Milly, Poinchy, La Chapelle-Vaupelteigne, Chemilly-sur-Serein, Chichée, Collan, Courgis, Fleys, Fontenay-près-Chablis, Lignorelles, Ligny-le-Châtel, Maligny, Poilly-sur-Serein, Préhy, Villy and Viviers.
     

Wine Characteristics - Chablis and Chablis Premier Cru

Wine
Characteristics

White: pale gold in colour. To the nose, the full extent of its aromatic potential is not instantly apparent. It needs a little airing. This is a wine with good aging potential (5 or sometimes up to 10 years). Each Climat has its own typicity, depending on soil and exposure. The wines are well-built and long in the mouth. The Chablis Premier Cru wines beguile the palate, whether mineral and tight in their youth or flowery and developing delicate and subtle aromas with age.


White chablis: the colour is rather light - pale gold or greeny-gold. The nose is very fresh, lively and mineral with flint, green apple, lemon, underbrush and field mushroom. Notes of lime-flower, mint, and acacia occur frequently, as do aromas of liquorice and freshly-cut hay. Age depens the colour and adds a note of spice to the bouquet. On the palate, these aromas retain their freshness for an extended period. Perky and full of juice, the attack is intense. Long and likeable persistence leads to a smooth and serene finish. Very dry and impeccably delicate, Chablis has a unique and readilyrecognisable personality.
The name “Chablis” has long been usurped and sometimes still is.
Be forewarned: there is only one true Chablis, only from France.
 

Wine Steward’s Tip - Chablis and Chablis Premier Cru

Wine
Steward’s Tip

Premier cru: The nose does not immediately express the full potential of this wine – it needs a little airing. It can be enjoyed young (5 years old) as well as aged (10 years old). Aromatically, Chablis Premier Cru is highly complex and therefore highly adaptable. Good matches will include cooked oysters and fish in sauce. The more mineral versions of this wine can be served with fine poultry or veal in white sauce. The more open variations are a wonderful accompaniment to small tripe sausages (andouillettes) and the burgundian specialty of snails (escargots). This is a wine with real breeding, that also does justice to the local ham speciality in Chablis (jambon au Chablis).
Serving temperature: 10 to 11°C.
 


Chablis: White: it can be enjoyed young (2-3 years old) with fish or poultry terrines, or with grilled or poached fish. It also goes well with asparagus, which is normally difficult to match, as well as exotic cuisine: it can handle curries or tandoori dishes and it also balances out the mellow and subtle texture of sushi. Or you could simply drink it as a splendid pre-dinner drink.
It harmonizes well with goat cheeses, as well as Beaufort, Comté, or Emmental.
Serving temperature: 10 to 11°C.
 

Situation - Chablis and Chablis Premier Cru

Situation

Located near Auxerre in the department of Yonne, the Chablis vineyards lie along a little river aptly named the Serein (“serene”). Vines began to growth here during the Romanera. In the 12th century, the Cistercian monks from the abbey of Pontigny developed its cultivation. The AOC Chablis Premier Cru status was created in January 1938, thus confirming the excellent qualities of this dry white wine which, unlike the wines of some other regions, has held its leading place throughout its history thanks to the high quality of its raw material – the Chardonnay grape.

Terroirs - Chablis and Chablis Premier Cru

Terroirs

Premier cru: No French wine-growing area has pinned its faith more firmly on the facts of geology. The main substrate is Jurassic limestone (specifically, Kimmeridgian limestone) laid down some 150 million years ago. The rock contains deposits of tiny fossilised oyster shells which remind us that Bourgogne once lay beneath a warm ocean. Regarding the Premier Cru, the particularity is that they are produced on either side of the Serein river (left bank and right bank). The most famous Climats are those on the right bank, surrounding the Grand Cru.


Chablis: No French wine-growing area has pinned its faith more firmly on the facts of geology. The main substrate is Jurassic limestone (specifically, Kimmeridgian limestone) laid down some 150 million years ago. The rock contains deposits of tiny fossilised oyster shells which remind us that Bourgogne once lay beneath a warm ocean. Some particularly valuable Climats produce the Premier Cru.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

List of "Climats et Lieux-dits"
for this appellation

"Climats" classified as 1er Cru

BeauroyBerdiotBeugnonsButteauxChapelotChatainsChaume de TalvatCôte de BréchainCôte de CuissyCôte de FontenayCôte de JouanCôte de LéchetCôte de SavantCôte de VaubarousseCôte des Prés-GirotsForêtsFourchaumeL'Homme MortLes BeauregardsLes EpinottesLes FourneauxLes LysMélinotsMont de MilieuMontée de TonnerreMontmainsMoreinPied d'AloupRoncièresSécherTroesmesVaillonsVau de VeyVau LigneauVaucoupinVaugirautVaulorentVaupulentVaux RagonsVosgros
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