Between Chardonnays & Chablis: Differences in France’s Premier White Wines [by Kelechi Deca]

Discover the key distinctions between Chardonnay and Chablis wines, two of France’s most renowned white wine styles. Learn about their origins, flavour profiles, and winemaking techniques that make each unique.

For reasons I can’t explain, Nigerians are not big on wines. Instead, spirits seem to have the upper hand in our general palate preference; that’s why many go for Whisky, Cognacs, Brandy, or even Vodka. I know Cognac can be a wine and a spirit.

I also think that our lukewarm attitude towards wines may be an acquired taste from colonialism, adding to our adaptation to Sapele water long ago. This is because French speaking Africans seem more disposed to good wines than Nigerians. I will interrogate more on this and ask dealers like Naija Liquor what could be responsible.

I spent a little time this afternoon with few friends and I gave a Chardonnay a shot. A good Californian creation then someone wanted to know if there’s a difference between Chardonnay and Charblis. Of course there is.

Generally speaking, while all Chablis are Chardonnay, but not every Chardonnay is Chablis. This is because Chardonnay originates from the Bourgundy region of France and Chablis wines are made from Chardonnay grapes.

However, not all Chardonnay wines are from the Chablis region of France as Chardonnay wines are made from Chardonnay grapes grown in other regions, which can be heavier, full-bodied, and toasty. Chardonnay wines have flavors of apple, melon, peach, and fig.

Chablis on the other hand is a dry, crisp, and minerally white wine made from Chardonnay grapes grown in the Chablis region of Burgundy, France. And they are known for their citrus flavors, and are often unoaked or aged in stainless steel to preserve the grape’s purity.

While Chablis wines are always unoaked and fermented in steel tanks. Traditional Chardonnays can be both oaked and unoaked, but most are oaked. Chablis are regarded as the purest of Chardonnays.

Connoisseurs agree that Chablis wines have high acidity and minerality, they’re also light-bodied, while Chardonnays are typically medium-bodied. The Grand Cru Chablis wines can age well and should rarely be consumed before five years from release.

One major advantage of Chablis is that a chardonnay grape grown in Chablis region of France tends to be lower in sugar and is drier than the typical California chardonnay.

Personally, I think Americans make awesome Chardonnays, California has some of the best you can get in the market.

I think our laid-back attitude to wines is responsible for the preponderance of very cheap, unhealthy, sulphur-filled wines in the Nigerian market.

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