Chablis: Chardonnay's Diverse Expression Through Terroir and Winemaking
Chablis, the northernmost Burgundy region, produces Chardonnay wines that many consumers don't associate with the grape variety. Winemakers Lucie Depuydt of J. Moreau & Fils and Didier Séguier of Domaine William Fèvre emphasize that Chablis offers a wide range of styles, from crisp Petit Chablis to complex Grand Crus, driven by diverse Kimmeridgian limestone terroirs and distinct winemaking approaches. Depuydt ages her wines on lees with some oak for Grand Crus, while Séguier avoids new oak, using neutral barrels for micro-oxygenation. Restaurateurs like Laura Anne Algieri of Oceano Kitchen in Lake Worth Beach, Fla., and Amy Mundwiler of Chicago's Maple & Ash highlight Chablis's versatility with food, from seafood to aged rib eye. The region's 40 Premier Crus and 7 Grand Crus produce unique expressions, making Chablis a premier destination for Chardonnay lovers.
Key facts
- Chablis is made from Chardonnay grapes, but many consumers don't realize the link because French wines are labeled by region.
- Lucie Depuydt is head winemaker at J. Moreau & Fils.
- Didier Séguier is director of Domaine William Fèvre.
- Chablis has 40 Premier Crus and 7 Grand Crus, totaling 47 distinct terroirs.
- Depuydt ages her basic Chablis in stainless steel with lees stirring for 10-12 months; for Premier and Grand Crus, 30-40% is aged in oak, including 30% new oak, for 14-18 months.
- Séguier uses no new oak, replacing 10% of barrels annually, with average barrel age of 5 years.
- Maple & Ash in Chicago offers 10 Domaine William Fèvre pours, including 6 Grand Crus and 4 Premier Crus.
- Oceano Kitchen in Lake Worth Beach, Fla., serves J. Moreau & Fils 2023 Gloire de Chablis.
- Kimmeridgian limestone soils give Chablis its unique character.
- Chablis wines range from fresh Petit Chablis to rich, complex Grand Crus.
Entities
Artists
- Lucie Depuydt
- Didier Séguier
- Laura Anne Algieri
- Amy Mundwiler
- Mike DeSimone
- Jeff Jenssen
Institutions
- J. Moreau & Fils
- Domaine William Fèvre
- Oceano Kitchen
- Maple & Ash
- Maple Hospitality Group
- Robb Report
- World Wine Guys
Locations
- Chablis
- Burgundy
- France
- Lake Worth Beach
- Florida
- United States
- Chicago
- Illinois
- Côte d'Or
- Tronçais
- Bertranges