Gilbert Picq Chablis Vauclaire 2022 750ml

91-93 The 2022 Chablis Vauclaire represents the first time this 1.65-hectare parcel has been bottled on its own. It has a lovely, slightly chalky bouquet that opens beautifully in the glass, with hints of yellow plum and jasmine. The palate is well-balanced with a crisp line of acidity, orange rind and a dash of white pepper. Classic in style with more depth on the finish compared to the Chablis Village. This marks a strong debut.

• Country: France
• Region: Burgundy
• Appellation: Chablis
• Size: 750ml
• Color: White
• Alcohol by Vol: 12.5%

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.