What’s the Grape?
Do you know what grape makes Chablis? The answer might surprise you — and it explains why so many people think they don't like Chardonnay.
Chablis Is Made from Chardonnay
Many people are surprised to learn that Chablis — with its high acidity, green fruit and flinty character — is made from Chardonnay. The grape takes its name from a village in the Mâconnais in Burgundy but is now grown all over the world, producing quality wines in a remarkable range of styles. It's a fairly neutral grape, meaning it takes on flavours from its terroir (the soil and climate) and from how the wine is made.
In cooler climates like Chablis, you get steely, light to medium-bodied wines. Slightly warmer conditions produce more citrus-driven styles. Hot climates tend towards exotic flavours — mango, fig — and a fuller body.
How Winemaking Shapes the Grape
Chardonnay can be transformed in many ways. Malolactic fermentation softens the acidity and adds buttery, creamy notes. Oak ageing — whether in American or French barrels — can give anything from the complex grandeur of a Meursault to the over-oaked, flabby Chardonnays that gave the grape a bad name in the 1990s.
If you've had a negative experience with Chardonnay, don't give up on the grape. Look at where it came from and how it was made. I often hear people say they don't like Chardonnay, but in most cases it's the style they object to, not the grape. Ask your local wine merchant — they'll help you find one you love.