We have chosen to use the word investment, not to advise you to buy this or that bottle in order to make a capital gain in a few years' time, but rather to invest in certain estates or appellations that will be more difficult to access financially in a few years' time.

AN EMBLEM IN BURGUNDY

Visit Chablis wines are surely the best-known wines of Burgundy. Every wine lover has tasted a wine from this region, whether as an aperitif or at a family meal. They remain a safe bet for consumers of white wines.

The wines are also well known for their presence in all distribution channels. Petit Chablis and Chablis are sold in supermarkets, while Premier Crus and Grand Crus are generally sold by specialists, wine merchants and restaurants.

These 4 appellations cover 5,700 hectares in the Yonne department, and can be produced in 17 communes. The only grape variety eligible for the Chablis appellation is Chardonnay. A white grape known for its finesse.

The 4 appellations d'origine had their specifications validated in 1938, shortly after the creation of the AOC, and are located on either side of the Serein, a river that runs through the Chablis vineyards.

> Great Chablis wines in stock

 

4 APPELLATIONS FOR DISTINCT TERROIRS

The charm of Chablis lies in its terroirs. Some climates date back 150 million years! And each appellation has its own purpose.

For Petit ChablisThe vineyards are located on the plains. The wines are fresh and straightforward, with notes of white fruit. Ideal for aperitifs.

Visit ChablisThey represent over half of the Chablis surface area, with 3676 hectares of vines. The wines are straightforward, with aromas of acacia, lime blossom and occasional hints of menthol. These wines go well with raw fish and sushi.

We change register with the Chablis Premiers Cruswhich benefit from a higher-quality terroir. They are planted on limestone, Kimmeridgian subsoils, which add finesse and complexity to the wine. There are 40 climats eligible for the Chablis Premier cru appellation, all different according to their exposure and soils. These are wines for laying down, expressing their full potential after 5 to 10 years' ageing. The wines are dry but fat on the palate, round and give off flinty aromas, combined with delicate floral notes. Perfect with white fish or butter sauce.

And finally, the grail of Chablis, the Chablis Grands Crus. Only 7 climats can lay claim to the appellation, all on the right bank of the Serein, and situated between 100 and 250 meters above sea level.

BLANCHOT, BOUGROS, PREUVE, VAUDESIRE, LE CLOS, GRENOUILLE and VALMUR share the appellation's 101 hectares. The wines can be laid down for 10 to 20 years. As they age, they will become fat and round, with notes of white truffles, toast and a mineral finish. Once again, fish will go well with it, but the wine's density means it can also be served with white-fleshed poultry, even with character.

 

EMBLEMATIC ESTATES OF THE CHABLIS APPELLATION

World-famous winemakers such as Domaine DAUVISSAT and Domaine RAVENEAU produce Chablis, but we're going to tell you about some rising stars to watch and/or taste, as they're already producing top-quality wines.

 

DOMAINE DROIN

Jean Paul and Benoît follow a line of winegrowers who have been present in the Chablis vineyards for almost 4 centuries. Benoît even belongs to the thirteenth generation of winegrowers in the family.

The estate now covers 26 hectares and is present in all 4 Chablis AOCs.

The two partners have several climates to deal with, and their aim is to transcribe and amplify each of them.

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Chablis 1er Cru 2019 Vaucoupin - Jean-Paul and Benoit Droin

To discover the estate's work, we recommend tasting their premier crus. We have selected the 1er Cru Vaucoupin, which reflects the work of the estate.

Their plot measures just 0.1447 hectares, so very few bottles are produced each year. The Chardonnay averages 35 years of age and produces grapes of great finesse.

With its shallow soils, Premier Cru Vaucoupin expresses freshness and minerality. However, it will take around ten years before the Chardonnay fully expresses itself.

 

DOMAINE PATTES LOUP - THOMAS PICO

Thomas Pito's estate wines are a must for enlightened Chablis wine lovers, so remarkable is his work. However, it remains less well known to the casual connoisseur, but deserves more attention. Son and grandson of a winegrower, he grew up with his family. After completing his studies, he decided to acquire 8 hectares of vines, which he converted to organic farming and obtained certification in 2009.

Chablis 1er cru Butteaux 2016 - Domaine Pattes Loup - Thomas Pico

Unlike the previous Chablis presented, this 1er Cru Butteaux will surprise you with its white fruit and candied citrus aromas. The wine is aged on lees during fermentation, allowing it to develop a rich palette of aromas. This will give it enough substance and character to spend some time in barrel. In addition to its aromatic complexity, this ageing will give it a new dimension of spices and vanilla notes, but above all it will allow it to age properly. In at least ten years, Chablis will reveal all its finesse and minerality, with notes of white truffles and gunflint.

> Great wines from Domaine Pattes Loup in stock