Chablis wine

Chablis wines are categorised by one of four classifications, sometimes known as AOCs (appellation d'origine contrôlée) or AOPs (appellation d'origine protégée). These four designations refer to specific areas where the grapes are grown, but they are more widely recognised as tiers of quality:

1. Petit Chablis: This is the entry-level Chablis, from vineyards outside the region’s heartlands. Fresh and light, it is meant for early drinking.
2. Chablis: This represents a step up in complexity, offering a balance between fruitiness and the iconic Chablis minerality. These wines are grown throughout the region and are known for their simple easy-drinking style.
3. Chablis Premier Cru: Sourced from selected vineyards – chosen for their exceptional terroir – these wines possess greater depth and can age gracefully, revealing intricate flavours.
4. Chablis Grand Cru: The pinnacle of Chablis wines. Made with grapes from only seven recognised Grand Cru vineyards, these wines are renowned for their complexity, longevity, and unparalleled finesse.

Chablis wine is commonly described as crisp and elegant, with a notable minerality. Its high acidity is underscored by flavours of green apple, citrus, and a touch of flint.

Specific flavours can vary depending on the wine’s AOC. Chablis AOCs have a chalky character, whereas Petit Chablis AOC wines are tart and more citrus-heavy. Elsewhere, Premier Cru Chablis wines are rich in flavour, with notes of lemon and starfruit, and Grand Cru Chablis wines often boast flavours of ripe orchard fruits like apple and pear.

As the wine matures, these fresh fruit notes may evolve, developing hints of honey, dried apricot and even mushroom. But that mineral backbone, the calling card of Chablis, remains the wine’s signature throughout its life.

With its crisp acidity and nuanced flavours, Chablis pairs well with a range of dishes. It’s a natural choice for seafood, especially oysters, mussels and clams, where that mineral character complements the saltiness of the sea. Similarly, Chablis wines can also enhance the delicate flavours of sushi and sashimi.

You’ll also find locals serving it with light poultry dishes, goat cheese and even snails – a traditional Burgundian delicacy. Looking for something a little closer to home? A vegetable terrine or asparagus risotto would also work wonderfully.

Discover more food and wine pairing inspiration.

The day of your delivery will depend on which option you’ve chosen at checkout.  

• For a standard delivery, we will deliver your order within three working days. Delivery to the Scottish Highlands, some other areas of Scotland, Northern Ireland and offshore islands can take an extra few days.
• Usual delivery times are between 07.00 and 21.00.
• You can select Next-day or Named-day delivery at checkout – but do bear in mind we don’t deliver on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

For the best experience we recommend you subscribe to our Unlimited service. A one-off payment of £29.99 entitles you to free delivery for a year – including free Next-day delivery. There’s no minimum order – you’ll get free delivery even on a single bottle. And you can get delivery to multiple addresses, so it’s perfect for gifting!

We want you to be entirely happy with your chosen wine, so we offer an unbeatable money-back guarantee on every single bottle – even wines you buy on sale.

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If you aren't happy for any reason, get in touch and we’ll arrange to collect your bottle within 48 hours.

Sending wine as a gift online with Laithwaites couldn’t be easier.

• Choose your wine gift and select ‘add to basket’.
• Go to your basket and select ‘checkout’.Select your shipping address (add a new one of you need to).
• Add a case label message (free) or choose a gift card and add a message (for £1.99)
• Select ‘Continue’ and choose shipping method.
• Next day and named day are available for a small extra charge.
• Pay using your chosen method (Credit or Debit card, Apple Pay, GPay or PayPal).
• We’ll take care of the rest!

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