
Susy Atkins says
First, a quick fact check: Chablis is a region of northern Burgundy where the white wines are made from the chardonnay grape. You won’t see ‘chardonnay ‘ on most labels, as the French tend to name wines by region rather than variety, but chardonnay it most certainly is.
Because Chablis is far north of the rest of Burgundy, it has a cooler climate and the chardonnays produced there are usually relatively fresh and crisp, with a green-apple flavour joining the richer citrus of those made further south. And in Chablis, oak is often used with a lighter touch, or not at all.
So, in short, if you like chablis, you like lighter, cooler climate chardonnay! It is well worth seeking out other examples of the grape made in cool spots, then. North east Italy is one place to start, its chardonnays are definitely on the more refreshing and elegant side. Then there are certain parts of the New World which make well-balanced, less-tropical examples: Chile’s Casablanca and Leyda valleys on the Pacific Coast; Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley in Australia’s Victoria region; and New Zealand’s South Island areas, especially wines made around Christchurch and on Central Otago. And England’s still chardonnays are starting to impress and show great promise for the future.
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