Chablis AOC

Technical Summary

• Classification: AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée)
• EU Registration: Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
• Geographic scope: Chablis district, Yonne department, northern Burgundy
• Wine type: Dry white still wine only
• Varietal requirement: 100% Chardonnay
• Hierarchy: Petit Chablis, Chablis, Premier Cru, Grand Cru

Regulatory Constraints (Verified)

Ampelographic Composition

• Permitted variety: Chardonnay (100%)
• No blending permitted
• Source: Cahier des Charges AOC Chablis, Art. 5

Geographic Delimitation

• District: Chablis and surrounding communes in Yonne
• Soil requirement: Kimmeridgian (older) and Portlandian (younger) limestone
• Total area: ~5,500 hectares planted
• Source: Cahier des Charges AOC Chablis, Art. 3

Appellation Hierarchy and Yield Limits

Level	Maximum Yield	Area
Petit Chablis	66 hl/ha	~900 ha
Chablis	60 hl/ha	~3,600 ha
Chablis Premier Cru	54 hl/ha	~800 ha (40 climats)
Chablis Grand Cru	54 hl/ha	~100 ha (7 climats)

• Source: Cahier des Charges, Art. 7

Grand Cru Climats (7 only)

1. Blanchot
2. Bougros
3. Les Clos
4. Grenouilles
5. Preuses
6. Valmur
7. Vaudésir

• All located on single southwest-facing slope
• Source: Cahier des Charges AOC Chablis Grand Cru, Art. 3

Premier Cru Climats

• 40 climats officially recognized
• Major climats: Fourchaume, Montée de Tonnerre, Mont de Milieu, Vaillons
• Source: Cahier des Charges AOC Chablis Premier Cru

Minimum Alcohol

Level	Minimum Alcohol
Petit Chablis	9.5% vol
Chablis	10.0% vol
Premier Cru	10.5% vol
Grand Cru	11.0% vol

• Source: Cahier des Charges, Art. 8

Enological Implications

Evidence-Backed Implications

Terroir-driven style:

• Kimmeridgian soil (marine fossils) contributes mineral character
• Northern location produces high-acid Chardonnay
• Unoaked style traditional (though oak use increasing)

Frost risk management:

• Northern location creates significant spring frost risk
• Chaufferettes (smudge pots), aspersion (sprinkler irrigation), and wind machines used
• Frost damage can drastically reduce yields in affected years

Oak usage debate:

• Traditional Chablis: stainless steel or large neutral oak (no new oak)
• Modern/International style: some new oak barrique aging
• Style disclosure not required on label

Operational Observations

Climat-specific positioning:

• 40 Premier Cru and 7 Grand Cru climats create terroir-labeling opportunities
• Price differentiation significant by climat reputation
• Vineyard source transparency valued

Vintage variation:

• Northern location creates significant vintage variation
• Frost, hail, and coulure risks
• Quality wines in warm vintages; volume challenges in difficult years

Frequent Compliance Risks

Climat Boundary Violations

• Risk: Claiming Premier/Grand Cru from non-delimited parcels
• Impact: Fraud; declassification required
• Mitigation: Vineyard registration verification; cadastral maps

Yield Exceedance by Level

• Risk: Different limits (66 vs 60 vs 54 hl/ha) create complexity
• Impact: Excess must be declassified to lower level
• Mitigation: Level-specific yield tracking

Geographic Misrepresentation

• Risk: Non-Chablis Chardonnay sold as Chablis
• Impact: Major fraud; criminal penalties
• Mitigation: Traceability; origin documentation

Relevant Grape Varieties

• Chardonnay — sole permitted variety (100%)

References

1. Cahier des Charges AOC Chablis

   • INAO
   • URL: https://www.inao.gouv.fr/

2. Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne (BIVB)

   • URL: https://www.chablis-wines.com/

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Last Updated: January 6, 2026