CMS Advanced Level 2025-2026 > Chablis > Flashcards

Chablis Flashcards

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1
Q

Where is Chablis located?

A

Chablis is located on the banks of the Serein River, almost halfway between Paris and Beaune.

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2
Q

What is the northernmost world-class still wine-producing region in France?

A

Chablis is the northernmost world-class still wine-producing region in France, except for Alsace.

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3
Q

What grape is solely used for white wines in Chablis?

A

Chardonnay

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4
Q

Name the three controlled appellations in the Chablis region.

A
  • Petit Chablis AOP
  • Chablis AOP
  • Chablis Grand Cru AOP
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5
Q

What style of Chardonnay is produced in Chablis?

A

Austere, mineral, and recognizable style, often without the veneer of new oak.

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6
Q

What historical era marks the viticultural origins of Chablis?

A

The monastic era.

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7
Q

What nickname is given to Chablis, and what does it mean?

A

Burgundy’s porte d’or, meaning ‘golden gate.’

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8
Q

What significant event in 1855 affected Chablis wine production?

A

The opening of the Marseille-Paris railway.

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9
Q

What two diseases devastated Chablis vineyards in the 1880s?

A
  • Powdery mildew (1886)
  • Phylloxera (1887)
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10
Q

What major global conflict impacted Chablis vineyards during the early 20th century?

A

World War I.

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11
Q

What was the production of wine in Chablis in 1945?

A

Only 481 total hectoliters.

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12
Q

What percentage of its pre-phylloxera acreage did Chablis vineyards reduce to post-war?

A

1-2%

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13
Q

What technological advancements helped Chablis recover in the second half of the 20th century?

A
  • Frost prevention techniques
  • Mechanization
  • Mechanical harvesters
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14
Q

When were premiers crus added to the basic Chablis AOP regulations?

A

1967.

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15
Q

What controversial action was taken regarding AOP boundaries in 1978?

A

The boundaries were enlarged to include another 1000 hectares.

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16
Q

What was the production of Chablis in 1970?

A

Less than 20,000 hectoliters.

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17
Q

What was the production of Chablis by 1982?

A

118,000 hectoliters.

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18
Q

How much wine did the three AOPs of Chablis produce in 2012?

A

Over 300,000 hectoliters from more than 5,000 hectares of vines.

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19
Q

Fill in the blank: Chablis suffered heavy German bombardment during _______.

A

World War II

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20
Q

What was a fitting image that closed out 100 years of decline in Chablis?

A

In the frigid winter of 1956, the denizens of Chablis skied down the grand cru hillside.

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21
Q

True or False: The first tractors appeared in Chablis by the early 1950s.

A

True

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22
Q

What question arose as the Chablis appellation reclaimed lost acreage and production?

A

Where should the boundaries of Chablis lie?

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23
Q

What year were the Chablis AOC laws established?

A

1938

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24
Q

What does ‘Kimmeridgian’ refer to?

A

An age in the Upper Jurassic Epoch, occurring roughly 150-157 million years ago

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25
What type of rock is Kimmeridgian marl primarily composed of?
Chalky marl (clay and limestone)
26
What fossils are abundant in Kimmeridgian marl?
Exogyra virgula fossils
27
Where are Kimmeridgian outcrops visible?
On the hillsides of the Serein River Valley
28
What is the geological significance of the Paris Basin during the Jurassic Period?
It sagged under a shallow sea
29
What is the age of Portlandian limestone?
130 million years old
30
How do Portlandian soils differ from Kimmeridgian soils?
Portlandian soils are sandier and thinner
31
What has conventional wisdom suggested about the best examples of Chablis?
They are grown on more porous, mineral-rich Kimmeridgian soils
32
When was the Petit Chablis AOP established?
1944
33
What type of wines does the Petit Chablis AOP encompass?
Chardonnay wines produced on Portlandian limestone-derived soils
34
What are the geographic designations of Chablis Grand Cru AOP?
Blanchot, Les Clos, Valmur, Les Grenouilles, Vaudésir, Preuses, Bougros
35
What is the approximate area of the best vineyards (grands crus) in Chablis?
Around 100 total hectares
36
What are the minimum potential alcohol levels for Chablis AOP and Chablis Grand Cru AOP?
10% for Chablis AOP and 11% for Chablis Grand Cru AOP
37
What is the maximum base yield for Chablis Grand Cru AOP?
54 hl/ha
38
What is unique about the harvesting of Chablis Grand Cru vineyards?
They are routinely harvested by hand
39
What practices are part of the charter of the Union des Grands Crus de Chablis?
Manual harvesting, lutte raisonnée practices, lower maximum yields, high-density plantings
40
What does the seal of the Union des Grands Crus de Chablis indicate?
Wines have been subjected to a blind tasting to authenticate quality
41
When are Chablis Grand Cru AOP wines released to the public?
January 1 of the second year after the harvest
42
How long should grands crus of Chablis ideally spend in the cellar before consumption?
Years, sometimes even a decade
43
What is the total area of premier cru Chablis?
785 ha ## Footnote This area includes 40 named climats grouped into 17 major premiers crus.
44
How many named climats are there in premier cru Chablis?
40 named climats ## Footnote These climats were established after additions in 1978 and 1986.
45
What is the advantage for producers of labeling wines under a neighboring major premier cru?
Better market recognition ## Footnote Producers may label their wines under more recognizable names instead of obscure climats.
46
What are the two unofficial geographical categories of the premier crus?
Right bank and left bank ## Footnote The categorization is based on their location relative to the Serein River.
47
Which climats are located on the right bank of the Serein River?
Montée de Tonnerre, Mont de Milieu, Fourchaume ## Footnote These climats are alongside the grands crus.
48
What is considered the top premier cru in Chablis?
Montée de Tonnerre ## Footnote It is highly regarded and can surpass grand cru outputs in quality.
49
What characteristics typically define left bank wines in Chablis?
More restrained, southeast-facing slopes ## Footnote These wines are cradled in side valleys rather than alongside the river.
50
What are the most important sites on the left bank of Chablis?
Vaillons and Montmains ## Footnote These sites are key for producing quality wines.
51
Describe the quintessential Chablis wine style.
Steely, elevated acidity, leesy character, austere lemon and orchard fruit aromas ## Footnote Medium weight with subtle oxidation.
52
What fermentation process is traditionally allowed in Chablis wines?
Full malolactic fermentation ## Footnote This process softens the wine's acidity.
53
What visual characteristics should tasters expect from classic Chablis?
Lemon-to-golden hues with a glint of green ## Footnote This color can sometimes be hard to perceive.
54
How does Chablis Grand Cru AOP typically differ from classic Chablis?
Richer and broader, resembling fine white wine of Côte d'Or ## Footnote It is often less representative of traditional Chablis.
55
What trend exists among producers regarding the use of new oak for grand cru wines?
Most use a small to significant percentage of new wood ## Footnote This differs from their village or premier cru bottlings.
56
What is more important than the classification hierarchy in Chablis?
The reputation and style of individual producers ## Footnote Quality cannot be solely determined by classification.
57
Name two historically renowned domaines in Chablis.
François Raveneau and Vincent Dauvissat ## Footnote These were once unrivaled but now face competition.
58
List at least three noteworthy producers in Chablis.
* Christian Moreau * William Fèvre * Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin * Louis Michel * Jean Collet * Faiveley's Billaud-Simon * Laurent Tribut * Gilbert Picq * Patrick Piuze ## Footnote This is not an exhaustive list.
59
Fill in the blank: Some producers, like Louis Michel, refuse to use _______.
barrels ## Footnote Others may prefer to ferment in tank and age wines in used oak.
60
True or False: All producers in Chablis use new oak for their village and premier cru wines.
False ## Footnote Some producers have moderated their approach to oak aging.
CMS Advanced Level 2025-2026
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