The Grand Crus of Chablis
The Grand Crus of Chablis are known to wine lovers worldwide as the “kings” of the appellation. Situated close to the village of Chablis and only on the right bank of the river Serein, they constitute an ensemble of 100 hectares (247 acres) mostly facing south-west. Their geographical limits are defined by the hillsides. Chablis Grand Cru wines have very powerful personalities that time can only amplify. They need at least five to eight years ageing in order for their character to begin to be unveiled as the cellaring potential is remarkable. The grapes from these seven Grand Cru plots are harvested and vinified separately by La Chablisienne in order to respect the different characteristics:
• Bougros: lively and mineral,
• Les Preuses: length and breeding,
• Vaudésir: fleshy and powerful,
• Les Clos: dry and mineral
• Blanchot: supple and aromatic,
• Grenouilles: elegant and fruity.
The Château Grenouilles Domaine
An ideal, uniform aspect, facing the rising sun, on a steep slope for the smallest of the Grand Cru vineyards of Chablis...
The vineyard plot named “Grenouilles” is found at the very heart of the hillside slopes known as “Coteau des Grands Crus” covering an area of about 100 hectares (250 acres). In such a situation it is therefore not surprising that this terroir has the reputation of being the fusion of the traditional characteristics of all the Grand Crus of Chablis. In this one wine we find the famous mineral style of Chablis with, of course, the consistency, the length and the power of a Grand Cru. A further characteristic of "Grenouilles" is its more flattering, less austere style which cannot be mistaken for any other Grand Cru in its first years of ageing in the bottle. It does however have the reputation of being somewhat capricious in its development, it will “open” and “close” as time proceeds.
Why the name "Grenouilles" (Frogs) ?
The lower part of the vineyard is adjacent to the river Serein that runs through Chablis and is a popular holiday camp for frogs.
This is therefore the smallest Grand Cru - in surface area - of the Chablis vineyards. It is squeezed between Vaudésir and Valmur. It has an ideal, uniform aspect, facing the rising sun, on a steep slope which softens in gradient as it climbs in altitude. The greatest part of the vineyard is taken by Château Grenouilles : 7.20 hectares (17.8 acres) in a total of 9.40 hectares (22.2 acres) .
