Jean Paul et Benoit Droin Chablis Grand Cru Vaudesir 2022 750ml

With perhaps one of the most evocative name of all the Grand Crus, Vaudesir has the reputation of being the fleshiest of the lot. But banish any thought of fat for this is still Chablis from one of the top sites in the appellation which means power, tension and poise. The site that Benoît farms has full southern exposure making for a rich wine that is also ethereal, perfumed and elegant. It is aged, part in tank and part in barrel with a small proportion new.

• Country: France
• Region: Burgundy
• Appellation: Chablis
• Size: 750ml
• Color: White

Varietal

Chardonnay

Of all the white wine grape varietals, surely the one that has spread the furthest and is most widely appreciated is Chardonnay. This green-skinned grape is now grown all over the Old and New Worlds, from New Zealand to the Americas, from England to Chile, and is one of the first varietals people think of when considering white wine grapes. Perhaps this is because of its huge popularity, which reached a peak in the 1990s, thanks to new technologies combining with traditional methods to bring the very best features out of the Chardonnay grape and allow its unique qualities to shine through. Most fine Chardonnay wines use a process known as malolactic fermentation, wherein the malic acids in the grape juice are converted to lactic acids, allowing a creamier, buttery nature to come forward in the wine. No grape varietal is better suited to this process than Chardonnay, which manages to balance these silky, creamy notes with fresh white fruit flavors beautifully.