Chablis Spirit
Minerality is the very gist of Chablis style. For us, this deep sensation is part of the wine complexity and density.
This notion of minerality in wine is difficult to define. It concerns olfactory sensations (flinty aromas), gustatory sensations (freshness) and texture (crystal-clear wine). Inherent to our kimmeridgian subsoil, this mineral sensation is an integral part of our wines. It gives emotions and little by little, sip by sip, it reveals its style. Minerality, sensations, emotions... But let us hand over to David Delaye, the wine maker of La Chablisienne:
"Minerality can concern so many different sensations that it is almost impossible to define. Inside the Chablis vineyard itself, there are many different expressions of minerality... Nevertheless, we can arbitrarily choose two angles to tackle the question:
- The mineral aromas. It is, by far, the easiest approach and often the only one proposed. We consider the following aromas as mineral: gun-flint, flint, iodine, chalk, oysters, shellfish... For me one experience illustrates perfectly what is minerality, this is what you feel before a thunderstorm of a hot and dry summer day just when the first big drops of rain are falling down.
- Minerality is a tactile sensation. The sensation of minerality is not only a perception of flavours and can't either be reduced to acidity. It structures the mouth and gives it distinction and character. At La Chablisienne, we often use the words "tension" and "energy". Then minerality also evokes a certain form of purity, a crystal-clear appearance of the wine.
We realise quickly that this second angle is very difficult to translate with words. Impressions, perceptions and subjectivity come first making the tasters feel sensations. An example, as you taste the Chablis Premier Cru Vaulorent 2002: this wine progresses to ethereal expressions, with a more airy minerality, like sea spray, which gives it energy... The finish is very iodized, thus making the mouth salivate much."