Chablis

Question 1

Domaine Raveneau

Answer 1

• One of the best estates in Chablis
• Fermented in stainless steel, aged in old oak
• Makes small amounts of wine, hand harvests grapes
• They own three Grand Cru vineyards and several Premier Crus

Question 2

Vincent Dauvissat

Answer 2

This family has been selling wine under their own name since 1931. They use natural farming, hand-harvesting, and partial barrel fermentation.

Question 3

Soil Type of Chablis

Answer 3

• Kimmeridgean marl (limestone, clay and fossilized oyster shells)
• Younger Portlandian limestone in less popular areas

Question 4

Chablis Climate

Answer 4

• Semi Continental: Harsh cold winters, warm summers
• Frost has been a historical threat but less so recently with climate change

Question 5

Premier Cru Chablis style of wines

Answer 5

• HIGH acidity, LEES character, and an intensely mineral, steely character and NO new oak**
  — Malolactic fermentation is usually avoided to preserve the crisp signature
• Flavors of citrus, pear, and white flowers
  ** Only Grand Cru Chablis tends to use new oak

Question 6

River of Chablis

Answer 6

The Serein

Question 7

Best Vineyard Sites of Chablis

Answer 7

• Right bank of the Serein, Southwest facing
  — Where the 7 Grand Cru climats are located
  — Montée de Tonnerre is a Premier Cru which rivals the Grand Crus
• The left bank of the river also has excellent Premier Cru vineyards (Montmains and Vaillons)

Question 8

Chablis quality system

Answer 8

Petit Chablis AOP < Chablis AOP < Premier Cru Chablis AOP < Grand Cru Chablis AOP

Question 9

Oak usage in Chablis

Answer 9

• Generally only used for GRAND CRUS Chablis
• Minimal compared to other Burgundian regions

Question 10

Most common vine training method in Chablis. Why?

Answer 10

• Double Guyot (gee-oh)
• Hedge against FROST damage - If one cane dies, the other may survive

Question 11

Aging potential for Chablis wines

Answer 11

• Petit Chablis: 1-3 years
• Chablis: 1-5+ years
• Chablis Premier Cru: 5-10 years
• Chablis Grand Cru: 10-12 years after harvest and beyond

Question 12

7 climats of Grand Cru Chablis AOP

Answer 12

Burgundy’s Puckering, Mineralic Vines Generating Vivacious Chardonnay Bottlings

• Bougros
• Preuses
• La Moutonne (unnocifically)
  — Monopole owned by Domaine Long-Depaquit
  — 5% in Presuses, 95% in Vaudesir
• Vaudesir
• Grenouilles - Named for frogs
• Valmur
• Les Clos - King of Chablis
• Blanchot

Question 13

Aspect of best performing Chablis Vineyards?

Answer 13

Southwest

Question 14

Best Chablis Vintages of the last 15 years

Answer 14

• 2020
• 2014
• 2010

Question 15

Worst Chablis Vintages of the last 15 years

Answer 15

Not a bad vintage in the last 15 years!

Question 16

What is a synonym for Chardonnay in Chablis?

Answer 16

• Beaunois

Question 17

Top Premier Crus of Chablis

Answer 17

• Montée de Tonnerre (right bank)
  — Rivals Grand Cru quality
  — Located just south of Grand Cru Climats
• Fourchaume (right bank)
• Vaillons (left bank)
• Montmains (left bank)