Chablis is one of the most popular French wines. Always white and always from Chardonnay, it is characteristically crisp, and it offers a remarkably elegant approach to the versatile grape variety. In fact, many people that wouldn’t normally be a fan of Chardo, will confess their love for Chablis.
This year, the region has seen challenging weather conditions that have destroyed a large amount of buds. Flood, frost and hail have seem to have conspired for this and, with a reduced harvest, prices are expected to increase for the 2016 vintage. But let’s cross that bridge when we get there, and this week, let’s talk about a rare sight: a lovely Chablis which is under the €20 mark.
Brocard Chablis 2014, is a single vineyard Chablis from Domaine Jean-Marc. With a clear, pale, lemon appearance and 12.5% ABV it shows typicity at first sight and it confirms it further along the tasting.
The main character on the nose is citrus fruit, specially ripe lemon, with a quiet hint of mineral aromas that becomes stronger on the palate.
Flavours of white peach and nectarine make its crisp acidity feel mellower while its minerality provides a steely backbone that gives it structure and a pleasant seaside character.
It is moderate both in body and intensity, which gives it quite a wide appeal and makes it extremely food friendly. It has a medium finish and a refreshing quality that clears the palate and makes you want to go for the next sip.
Food pairings? There are plenty of ideas, for example try a garlic and lemon chicken recipe, or chicken with courgettes. For seafood lovers, oysters would be a classic and ideal match, but it would go very well too with a seafood risotto or turbot tapas.
Brocard Chablis 2014, is available at O’Briens Wines and it’s on offer at €16.95, with 32% off its regular price of €24.95. This Chablis represents exceptional value so you might want to stock up!
Gabriela’s passion for writing is only matched by her love for food and wine. Journalist, confectioner and sommelier, she fell in love with Ireland years ago and moved from Venezuela to Dublin in 2014.
Since then, she has written about and worked in the local food scene, and she’s determined to discover and share the different traditions, flavours and places that have led Irish food and drink to fascinate her.
Gabriela Guédez Gabriela Guédez
