Chablis

Question 1

Describe the climate in Chablis

Answer 1

Cool continental with cold winters and warm summers.

Question 2

What is the average rainfall in Chablis?

Answer 2

670mm, spread throughout the year

Question 3

What are the main threats to viticulture in Chablis?

Answer 3

Moist climate: increases disease pressure and problems of rot around harvest.

Spring frost
Hail storms

Question 4

What latitude is Chablis found at, and what effect does this have on ripening grapes?

Answer 4

47 degrees north

Cool, northerly location means ripening can be uncertain

Question 5

Describe the topography and soils you would expect in Petit Chablis AOC vineyards.

Answer 5

Typically higher (and cooler) vineyards on flat land or gentle slopes.

Portlandian Limestone soils; harder drier soils with less water retention

Question 6

Describe the topography and soils of Chablis AOC vineyards

Answer 6

Vineyards have mixed aspects on flat land or gentle slopes.

Most vineyards are on Kimmeridgean Limestone soils

Question 7

Describe the topography of Chablis 1er cru and grand cru AOC vineyards

Answer 7

Predominantly south facing slopes (more sunlight interception)

Sited mid slope (better drainage, more frost protection)

GC also sheltered from cold northerly winds by a belt of trees between it and the adjacent Petit Chablis vineyards

Question 8

Describe the soils of Chablis 1er cru and grand cru AOC vineyards.

Answer 8

Kimmeridgean soils; mixture of crumbly marl with good drainage and high clay content for water retention contributes to higher quality.

Wines from Kimmeridgean marls are the richest, fleshiest and longest lived wines in Chablis

Question 9

What techniques are used to mitigate frost risk in Chablis?

Answer 9

Smudge pots, sprinklers, later pruning to avoid earlier frosts.

1er Cru and Grand Cru vineyards are sited mid slope, so frost risk is lessened here

Question 10

What rootstocks are popular in Chablis and why?

Answer 10

41B (Vinifera x Berlandieri) - tolerant of limestone soils with high ph

420A (riparia x berlandieri) is popular for its low vigour and tolerance to high ph soils

Question 11

What vine training system is common in Chablis? Why?

Answer 11

Double guyot replacement cane training system; if one can is damaged in frost, the other may survive

Question 12

How many named 1er cru vineyards in Chablis?

Answer 12

40

Question 13

How many Grand Cru in Chablis?

Answer 13

There is a single Grand Cru which contains 7 named vineyards

Question 14

Name the 7 vineyards contained within Chablis Grand Cru

Answer 14

Bougros
Preuses
Vaudesir
Grenouilles
Valmur
Les Clos
Blanchots

Question 15

What are the maximum yields for Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru and Chablis Grand Cru

Answer 15

PETIT CHABLIS AND CHABLIS:
Max. 60hl/ha

CHABLIS 1ER CRU:
58hl/ha

CHABLIS GRAND CRU:
54hl/ha

Question 16

Describe winemaking techniques for Petit Chablis and Chablis AOC wines. How might this differ for 1er + Grand Cru wines?

Answer 16

PETIT CHABLIS + CHABLIS:

• Chaptalisation is common
• Fermentation in stainless steel vats
• MLF is common to soften the acidity
• Storage in stainless steel or concrete for a few months before release

CHABLIS 1ER CRU + GRAND CRU:

• May be fermented and aged in oak (old or new)
• Time on lees to improve texture

Question 17

Give a typical tasting note for a Petit Chablis / Chablis AOC wine.

Answer 17

Light bodied wine, light to medium intensity, green apple and lemon fruit

Question 18

How do 1er Cru and Grand Cru wines compare with Chablis and Petit Chablis?

Answer 18

Greater concentration
Fuller body
Ability to age

Question 19

What is the name of the main co-op in Chablis and how much of the region’s wine do they produce?

Answer 19

La Chablisienne

1/3 of all Chablis wine

They produce wines across all levels of the hierarchy

Question 20

How much of Chablis’ wine is exported?

What are the top export markets?

Answer 20

2/3

UK, USA and Japan

Question 21

What is the Sydicat de Defense de l’Appellation de Chablis?

Answer 21

Founded by Willam Fevre in 1993

Combat fraud
Address environmental issues

Question 22

What is l’Union des Grand Crus de Chablis?

Answer 22

Association promoting quality of Chablis Grand Cru

Limited to those with GC sites.

Has a quality charter:
Sustainable viticulture
Hand harvesting.

Question 23

What is the name of the river running through Chablis?

Answer 23

The River Serein

Question 24

Why was Chablis popular in the early 19th century?

Answer 24

Because of its location close to Paris

Question 25

What led to Chablis fall in production in the late 19th century?

Answer 25

Phylloxera
Powdery mildew
The construction of the Paris- Lyon- Marseille railway (couldn’t compete on price with the wines from the south of France)

Question 26

What is the area under vine in Chablis?

Answer 26

5,500 ha

Question 27

What events in the early 20th century led to a decline in area under vine in Chablis?

Answer 27

Rural depopulation following WW1

Frost of 1945
Area under vine shrank to just 500ha