About Chablis
Chablis is the name given to Chardonnay from the Chablis wine appellation, in France.
Chablis is also the name of the town that lies in the valley of the Serein river, that runs through the northern part of Burgundy, one of the world's most loved wine regions. Burgundy is famous for Chablis (White Burgundy) and Pinot Noir (Red Burgundy).
The climate in Chablis is is very cool, resulting in bright, fresh wines with high acidity. Chablis and Petit Chablis are also known for displaying aromas and flavours such as green apple, lemon and flint.
Most village level Chablis wines are unoaked and some wine experts believe that Chablis is the purest expression of the varietal character of Chardonnay.
There are four appellations within Chablis, each appellation denotes a level of quality. In general, the best vineyards are planted on the slopes that have favourable south-facing aspects. The vineyards that face south, receive more sunlight, which allows for greater flavour development in the grapes.
The four appellations are:
Petit Chablis - usually grown on the flatter land and the higher slopes that mostly face north. These wines are quite austere.
Chablis - also grown on the flatter land and north facing slopes but closer to the village of Chablis.
Premier Cru Chablis - tend to be located on the slopes with a better aspect (to sunlight). These wines show riper fruit development and more concentrated fruit aromas and flavours (more citrus that green apple).
Grand Cru Chablis - The Grand Cru Chablis wines come from just one slope and within the 7 'climats' (officially designated vineyard plots). These vineyards have good exposure to the sun, being south facing. Grand Cru Chablis are sometimes aged in oak, which adds a rounder texture and subtle flavours.
The biggest challenge in growing grapes in Chablis is frost, this is often managed through the use of sprinklers and heaters.
Chablis is a magnificent and much-loved wine. Truly a 'must try' for Chardonnay drinkers everywhere!
About Chardonnay
Chardonnay
This famous French variety is easily the most recognised and enjoyed white wine worldwide. Chardonnay has been grown in, experimented with and been successfully adapted to just about every wine-producing region on earth.
Chardonnay offers diverse styles from the lean, steely structured, crisp and clean styles, to the more rich, full bodied examples, often enhanced by toasty vanillin oak characters.
Chardonnay offers a wonderful spectrum of flavours, from those of lemon and apple through to exotic, tropical fruits and spices. It seems there is a chardonnay to please just about every palate! So what makes it so appealing?
Wine consumers love it! Chardonnay offers a range of styles, from crisp ‘Chablis' style examples, to rich and buttery versions.
Viticulturists love it! It grows well in a range of climates and soils. It achieves a good level of ripeness, is impervious to disease and apart from spring frosts, climatic threats are limited during the passage of the vineyard year through good vineyard management.
Winemakers love it too! Chardonnay is a versatile variety that thrives in a range of climates and soils. As well as achieving a good level of ripeness, it is relatively resistant to disease, and apart from spring frosts, climatic threats are limited during the passage of the year.
Key Facts About Chardonnay
Chardonnay’s spiritual homeland is Burgundy in France, although there is evidence that links it back to Lebanon in the Middle East. In France it is responsible for the wines known as Chablis and Macon as well as the Village, Premier and Grand Cru wines of the Côte d’Or.
Chardonnay is the consummate world traveler. Since the 1960s chardonnay has migrated to all wine growing countries and is produced around the globe.
Chardonnay wines are medium straw in colour, deepening to rich yellow and gold with age. Rarely do you see a chardonnay that is pale white in colour, although we have come a long way from the deep heavy yellows of new world chardonnays produced in the 1970s and 1980s.
Chardonnay has lots of flavour but this is balanced by a good deal of natural acidity. This balance lends itself to depth of flavour and all well made chardonnays have plenty of dimensions to enjoy.
Chardonnay in Australia
Nowhere is the versatility of this wonderful grape variety better expressed than across the vineyards, regions and winemaking styles of Australia. The Aussie chardonnay scene is defined by regional diversity making it a virtual playground for our viticulturists and grape growers. Our winemakers develop expertise experimenting with the many regional styles of chardonnay and the numerous winemaking techniques associated with this variety. In Australia, we are not inhibited by the appellation restrictions that put a straight jacket around European grape growers and winemakers, forcing specific varieties to be grown in specific regions. Australian chardonnays, apart from being delicious and well crafted, won’t burn a hole in your pocket. We like to ensure our wines are affordable and able to be enjoyed by as many people as we can. Australian chardonnay is not the world’s cheapest, but the value it represents has carried our reputation around the globe.
Regional Chardonnay
Chardonnay grows well in almost every wine region of Australia and is the mainstay of a great many vineyards. Its certainty of ripening and universal demand gives a grower something of an assurance against the fickle swings of weather and market place.
Chardonnay loves to grow in all climates, producing quite different wines in each.
In cooler regions like the Yarra Valley, Tasmania, Tumbarumba and Orange chardonnays show delicate flavours of citrus, grapefruit and green apple. The acidity is lively, sometimes even racy or steely and the fruit is pure, focused and lean.
In warmer regions, particularly the Hunter Valley and Margaret River we grow richer chardonnays that show tropical fruit flavours like peach and apricot.
In distinctly warm to hot areas like the Barossa Valley, we find rich expressions of ripe pineapple and fig really lifting out of the glass.
Australian chardonnays, apart from being delicious and well crafted, won’t burn a hole in your pocket. We like to ensure our wines are affordable and able to be enjoyed by as many people as we can. Australian chardonnay is not the world’s cheapest, but the value it represents has carried our reputation around the globe.
