Petit Chablis

Petit Chablis is an appellation encompassing the outlying area of Chablis planted largely on Portlandien soil, a kind of clay limestone, as opposed to the complex Kimmerdigean soils of Chablis itself. There are over 500 ha of vineyard area but this is dwarfed by the Chablis total of over 3000 ha. The Portlandien soils give a wine that is similarly citrus and steely as Chablis without perhaps the same depth, finesse or minerality. Having said that many of Chablis' top growers do produce excellent quality Petit Chablis that can make very good value for money.