Five Terrific Chablis

Chablis, from northernBurgundyin France, is the exemplar of the unoakedChardonnaystyle: chalky, flinty, crisp and focused. Admittedly, not all producers in Chablis are strict stainless steel devotees—some allow their top wines to spend time in old oak barrels or vats (which impart little or no oak flavor), and some use new oak (a practice many of their peers frown upon). But the overall thrust of great Chablis is toward purity and finesse. The extraordinaryDomaine François Raveneau Les Clos Grand Cru,from the region's most renowned producer (and most renowned vineyard), is the apogee of Chablis. But since that wine runs $200 a bottle, four substantially more affordable introductions to good Chablis are listed below.

Citrus and flower aromas distinguish this chalky wine from an up-and-coming producer; peach flavors come out in the finish.

Moreau, who comes from a longtime Chablis-producing family, is known for steely, focused wines. This intro-level bottling is green-gold in color and has the flavor of tart green apples, along with a hint of earthiness.

Brocard's chalky Sainte Claire bottling gives a hint of the purity that thepremier cruandgrand cruwines express so well.

Michel is a top producer in the all–stainless steel style, and itspremier cruwine from Montmain has the flinty, wet-stone character for which Chablis is so well known.

Crisp New Chardonnays

Go-To Chardonnay Zones

Perfect Wine Pairings