Chablis (sha-blee) used to be a part of a vast wine growing region which used to exploit the easy transport facilities provided by the river Seine to ship huge quantities of wine to Paris and Belgium. The phylloxera epidemic put paid to all that. Just the district of Chablis survived, which now devotes itself to producing wines which have become the epitome of "great dry white wine".

Map of Chablis

The main grape is the ubiquitous Chardonnay. The wines are classified into four appellations according to their quality. At the top are the Grand Crus. These wines mature after five years, but can be kept upto twenty. These wines are very highly sought after. The main climats (distinct, named plots of land) are Vaudesir, Les Clos, Bougros, Valmur, Blanchots.