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Petit Chablis
Chablis is one of the greatest expressions of Chardonnay, the world’s most planted white grape. It is here, in one of the northernmost French regions, where Chardonnay displays its full potential in acidity and minerality.
Although Chablis is considered part of Burgundy, the region has a personality of its own. Still, there is not one expression of the calcareous area, but many. One of them is Petit Chablis — one of the best-kept secrets in the world of wine.
Chablis is not the most expensive of Burgundies, but it is often pricier than similar wine from other regions. That is different with Petit Chablis, a reliable source of adequately priced white wine with astounding versatility.
To understand Petit Chablis, we must discuss the grapes used to make it, its terroir, and the differences between the appellation and others in the area. Click below to read our guide all about Petit Chablis:
Production
Chablis is a northern wine region where ripening grapes is hard work. Only the sites with the best sun exposure in orientation and inclination produce consistently ripe fruit.
Ripeness translates as more concentrated, fuller-bodied and more alcoholic wines. The perfect site to ripen grapes in Chablis is a single hill overlooking the town of Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru. Areas with good sun exposure fall into the Chablis and Chablis Premier Cru appellations.
The sites with northern and western exposures receive the least sunlight and warmth, and that’s precisely where growers cultivate grapes for Petit Chablis. These vineyards are planted in various soils, including brown limestones, sandy soils and silt, and their elevation is around 230 to 280 metres. Although the conditions are not optimal for ripening grapes fully, they are ideal for making refreshing, tart and thirst-quenching wines.
Petit Chablis represents 19% of Chablis wines and covers 1230 hectares of vines, producing 36,288 hectolitres of wine every vintage. Almost all Petit Chablis is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks and experiences no oak ageing. The wines often undergo Malo-lactic fermentation and are best enjoyed young, ideally up to two years after the vintage.
Grape Varieties
Chardonnay is the only varietal allowed in Chablis and the only one used to make Petit Chablis. The noble white grape is native to Burgundy, and it’s one of the few varietals that can withstand the cold climate in northern latitudes.
Chardonnay is a versatile varietal that expresses its terroir or sense of place very well. When grown in warm climates, it will display certain flavours and aromas, and the same is true for Chardonnay grown in cold vineyards like those under the Petit Chablis appellation. Instead of ripe, tropical fruit aromas, you get citrus undertones and a more delicate bouquet.
Petit Chablis is the ultimate French apéritif, a reliable refreshing wine with low alcohol, elevated acidity and minerality. On the nose, Petit Chablis will display citrus aromas redolent of lemons and grapefruits, with notes of white peaches, white flowers and flint. This unique flavour profile and the wine’s acidity are not typical and can’t be achieved elsewhere, not even in other appellations in Chablis – it is only found in Petit Chablis, where the grapes struggle the most.
Buy Petit Chablis AOC Wine from Hourlier Wines
Dampt Frères Sur Les Clos Petit Chablis
Eric and Emmanuel Dampt are behind this prestigious estate in the heart of Chablis. The Domaine has tended the region’s vineyards for over twenty years and champions ecological farming and winemaking techniques. The result is typical Chablis with an authoritative character. Dampt Freres Petit Chablis is a beautiful example of the region’s most delicate wines. Pale gold with green hues, this wine offers citrus peel and green apple aromas over a tight palate with hints of minerality extending into the back palate. It is the perfect wine for seafood, including sushi, sashimi, tuna tartare and raw oysters.
FAQ
Where does Petit Chablis wine originate?
Petit Chablis is an appellation within larger Chablis, the northernmost wine region in Burgundy. The vineyards destined to produce Petit Chablis are some of the coldest and highest, resulting in tart, delicate grapes. Petit Chablis is a traditional wine style that complements with thirst-quenching acidity the bolder white wines made in the rest of Burgundy.
What does Petit Chablis wine taste like?
Petit Chablis is a pale golden wine with citrus and white fruit aromas and floral hints. On the palate, Petit Chablis has high acidity, medium-low alcoholic warmth and persistent minerality. These wines are refreshing, palate-cleansing and refreshing. They are the most delicate expression of the ubiquitous Chardonnay.
Which food groups pair well with Petit Chablis?
Petit Chablis pairs well with white fish, raw fish and seafood, including oysters and shellfish. The tart wine is also delightful with steamed vegetables, white rice, oil-based sauces and vinaigrettes. Petit Chablis is a wonderful apéritif on its own, especially when served at a low temperature.
