Small growing district located 110 miles southeast of Paris that encircles the town of Chablis in France’s BURGUNDY region and produces some of the world’s best-known white wines. Chablis’ vineyards, which are fairly far north, are closer to the CHAMPAGNE region than they are to most of the rest of Burgundy. There are just over 7,000 acres with AC status. This acreage has increased in recent years because of improved methods of protecting the vineyards when the temperature drops below freezing, which isn’t uncommon in this northerly region. CHARDONNAY is the approved grape for Chablis’ appellations, which are, in increasing order of quality, Petit Chablis AC, Chablis AC, Chablis Premier Cru AC,and Chablis Grand Cru AC. The majority of the production comes from the Chablis AC vineyards followed by those of the Chablis Premier Cru AC vineyards. There are forty vineyards with PREMIER CRU status, but some smaller premier cru vineyards have the right to use the names of certain larger, better-known premier cru vineyards so that the practical number of names in use is around twenty. The best known of these are Beauroy, Fourchaume, Les Fourneaux, Côte de Léchet, Mont de Milieu, Montée de Tonnerre, Montmains, Mélinots, Vaillons, Vaucoupin, Vau de Vey, and Vosgros. The best wines come from the seven grand cru vineyards—BLANCHOTS, BOUGROS, LES CLOS, GRENOUILLES, LES PREUSES, VALMUR, and VAUDÉSIR—which cover a total of about 250 acres. The term “grand cru” appears on the labels of these special wines, followed by the name of the originating vineyard. They can rank among the best white wines in Burgundy, and therefore in the world, but Chablis wines are at the mercy of the weather more than any place else in Burgundy. Cool growing seasons inhibit the Chardonnay grapes from fully ripening, whereas warm seasons can produce luscious ripe grapes that produce magnificent wines. Chablis wines are somewhat different from other Burgundy white wines in that they’re generally known for being drier (see DRY) and slightly more AUSTERE and for having a FLINTY or MINERALLY quality. Oak-barrel AGING lends added complexity and a hint of vanilla. However, most producers in Chablis VINIFY only in stainless steel tanks, thereby achieving their desired goal of wines that are CRISP and more precise. As with other parts of Burgundy, wine quality varies even from the same PREMIER CRU or GRAND CRU vineyard so it’s best to get to know the various producers.