Definition

Noun: 1. A type of dry white wine, typically made from Chardonnay grapes, originating from the Chablis region of France. It is known for its crisp, mineral, and sometimes steely flavor profile. 2. A white wine produced elsewhere that is made in a style intended to resemble the wine from Chablis, France. 3. (Capitalized) A town in north-central France, within the Burgundy region, which is the namesake and origin of the wine.

Usage Examples

• As a specific wine from France:
  • "For our first course, I recommend a glass of Chablis."
  • "This Chablis has wonderful notes of green apple and wet stone."
• As a generic style of wine:
  • "The restaurant offers a California chablis as its house white wine."
• Referring to the town:
  • "We visited the historic vineyards of Chablis on our trip to Burgundy."

Advanced Usage

• "Chablis Premier Cru": Refers to Chablis wine from vineyards classified as superior to the basic regional appellation but below the highest Grand Cru level.
  • Example: "The Chablis Premier Cru from the Montée de Tonnerre vineyard is exceptional this year."
• "Chablis Grand Cru": Refers to the highest classification of wine from the seven designated Grand Cru vineyards in Chablis.
  • Example: "They celebrated their anniversary with a bottle of Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos."

Variants and Related Words

• Chardonnay (noun): The primary grape variety used to make authentic Chablis. While all Chablis is Chardonnay, not all Chardonnay is Chablis, as the name "Chablis" is tied to the specific region and style.

Synonyms

• White Burgundy: This is a broader category that includes Chablis, as Chablis is a sub-region of Burgundy. However, "White Burgundy" can also refer to wines from other parts of Burgundy, such as Meursault or Puligny-Montrachet.
• Dry white wine: A general descriptive term for the style of Chablis.

Notes on Meaning

The meaning of "chablis" depends heavily on context: 1. When capitalized ("Chablis"), it most precisely refers to the wine from the specific Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in France or the town itself. 2. When in lowercase ("chablis"), it often refers to a generic, legally distinct style of white wine produced in other countries (like the United States), which is typically less expensive and less complex than true French Chablis.

Noun

1. dry white table wine of Chablis, France or a wine resembling it
2. a town in north central France noted for white Burgundy wines