Petit Chablis received its appellation classification back in 1944 and requires a minimum of 9.5% alcohol, which is .5% lower than Chablis. Although Petit Chablis can be lower in alcohol and produce slightly thinner wines, thanks in part to geographical location and aging requirements, top producer’s, like today’s Domaine Courtault, are capable of delivering phenomenal examples that more than hold their own with Chablis. The family Domaine of Jean-Claude Courtault is based in the picturesque village of Ligornelles. The boutique estate was founded in 1984 with a passion to produce world-class Chablis. Although Jean-Claude is originally from the Loire Valley, he worked for several larger wineries in Chablis while he finally built a domaine of his own. Today, his estate is comprised of 40 acres of unique parcels through the appellation. His stunning, terroir-driven wines offer purity, complexity and a price tag that makes them ideal for everyday consumption.

 

Jean-Claude’s Petit Chablis is grown on a southern-exposed plateau of clay and Portlandian limestone, which results in substantial texture for the classification as well as distinct minerality that we all crave in Chablis.  Following harvest, the wine is gently pressed with a Buscher-style pneumatic press. The wine settles for one day to rid the juice of impurities then is fermented in climate-controlled stainless steel tanks for 8-10 days. The wine ages on its fine lees until spring then is racked, fined if necessary, then cold stabilized and filtered prior to bottling. The result is a textured, bright and mineral-driven Petit Chablis that offers a remarkable price-to-quality and a house wine that will delight through every season.

This wine displays a pale straw core with green reflections of the rim. The nose offers aromas of white peach, fresh yellow apple core and lemon pith elevated by notes of jasmine, acacia and wet stones. The palate delivers a beautiful density of texture, akin to a high-quality Chablis, with a delineation of complex flavors reminiscent of the nose and precise minerality, which drives the lingering finish. In a blind tasting, no one would call this beauty a Petit Chablis. Built to stand the test of time, this wine will peak in the next 2-3 years, but it can thrive with a decade in the cellar as well. Serve at 50-55 degrees in Burgundy stems alongside this savory recipe for oysters dupont.