Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Champs Royaux 2008

Domaine William Fèvre

Chablis Champs Royaux 2008

Chablis, Burgundy, France

$29-34 +25270  available at BC Liquor Stores & select private stores

www.williamfevre.fr

This is my kind of holiday.

Today, Thursday May 26th, 2011, is the second annual Chardonnay Day. Or more accurately, #Chardonnay Day. Arising from the crush of the wineing (not whining) social media community, the hope is that #Chardonnay Day, along with #Cabernet Day, will attract participation from electronic masses. All you have to do is share on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Foursquare or any other social site using the #Chardonnay hash tag all day May 26th. You’ll be able to search what other wine lovers are sharing by searching posts using said hash tag.  You can even register here as an ‘official’ contributor: http://chardday.eventbrite.com/

Chardonnay is a pretty easy pick for a holiday, ABC (Anything But Chardonnay backlash notwithstanding). The 2nd most planted white grape in the world after the Spanish workhorse Airen, adaptable Chardonnay grows in many climates and soils, and lends itself to most any style of wine making from dry still wines, to sparkling wines to sweet late harvest. One of my very favourite expressions is from France’s Chablis region, in the cool and continental northernmost point of Burgundy. Here Chardonnay is said to be one of the “purest” expressions of the varietal character of the grape due to the simplistic style of winemaking favored in this region. Winemakers want to emphasis the terroir of the calcareous (chalky) soil and cooler climate that help maintain high acidity, as as such the wines rarely will see oak. The steely, dry, green apple-like acidity is a trademark of Chablis.

There are 7 Grand Cru vineyards, and numerous Premier Crus (1er), but if you’d like a taste of pure Chardonnay at a decent price, look for this widely available bottling from William Fèvre, one of the Chablis elite for the past 250 years. Their entry level Champs Royaux is made from purchased grapes across the appellation, but handled with the same attention and detail as they afford their 1er and Grand Cru wines. Shiny and bright lemon with flashes of white green, it greets with green apple, mineral, salt and lime. The palate is limey dry, with juicy green apple and mineral, and a touch of ripe melon roundness. Fresh and clean, perfect for halibut or oysters. Or for toasting #Chardonnay Day.

Rating:  (click here to see what our wine ratings mean)

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Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Champs Royaux 2008

There are 7 Grand Cru vineyards, and numerous Premier Crus (1er), but if you’d like a taste of pure Chardonnay at a decent price, look for this widely available bottling from William Fèvre, one of the Chablis elite for the past 250 years. Their entry level Champs Royaux is made from purchased grapes across the appellation, but handled with the same attention and detail as they afford their 1er and Grand Cru wines. Shiny and bright lemon with flashes of white green, it greets with green apple, mineral, salt and lime. The palate is limey dry, with juicy green apple and mineral, and a touch of ripe melon roundness. Fresh and clean, perfect for halibut or oysters.