Petit Chablis
Styles
Principal grape varieties
Terroir
Natural factors
- Soils on Kimmeridgian bedrock: marls rich in small fossil oysters ('Marnes à exogyra virgula'), the principal substrate for the vines.
- A limestone escarpment (Calcaire du Barrois / Tithonian) crowning a marly slope, with an elevation difference of 120 to 130 metres. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
- A degraded oceanic climate with continental tendencies: 650 mm/year, average temperature 10.8 °C, high risk of spring frosts. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Geographical zone: 17 communes in the Yonne département, centred on the hillsides bordering the Serein valley.
- Highly varied soils: stony and thin on the 'petites terres' of the plateau, more clayey on the marly escarpment face and its footslope.
Human factors
- A single variety: Chardonnay B, known locally as 'beaunois', whose use is documented in appellation recognition rulings as far back as 1920.
- The traditional pruning method known as 'taille Chablis', suited to the challenging climate, coexisting with simple or double Guyot training.
Product characteristics
- Dry white wine, lively, fruity, mineral, and light; its freshness driven by acidity and minerality.
- A young-release wine requiring no ageing to be enjoyed at its best.
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.