Patriarche Pere et Fils Chablis

Founded in 1780 (yes, over 240 years ago!) by Jean-Baptiste Patriarche – making them one of Burgundy’s oldest producers! He purchased the Visitandines Convent in Beaune which is the Patriarche HQ today.

You can visit the vast network of cellars at Caves Patriarche – they stretch for several kilometres and house several million bottles of wine!

If you’re new to the world of Chablis (“shah-blee”) then this is a great place to start! Chablis is an area in the north-west of Burgundy, France, that’s famous for producing Chardonnays of little to no use of oak.

The area produces wines split into four different appellations (levels of quality, typically depending on the location of the vineyards) – Petit Chablis, Chablis, Premier Cru and Grand Cru. One useful thing to know is typically Grand Cru does use oak, the others do not.

Scoring 93/100 with Cam Douglas MS who said “A wine that opens put in glass after 10-15 minutes to reveal aromas and flavours of chalky mineral with some chamomile highlights, salt and pineapple, apple and fresh white peach. Dry with a decent acid line and flinty mouthfeel, fruits flavours that reflect the bouquet and a salivating finish. Well made and ready to drink from day of purchase through 2029.”

Looking for an ideal food and wine pairing with Chablis? It’s got to to be shellfish and especially good old New Zealand oysters! The soils in Chablis are literally crushed seashells from way back in the Jurassic period!