ALAIN GAUTHERON
Chablis & Chablis Premier Cru

The story of Chablis and its wine is intertwined with the history of the abbey of Pontigny. The monks founded the Petit Pontigny, a magnificent 12th century cellier (a store for wine and food). Their influence on the locality was decisive; the wine of Chablis quickly became famous. This wine producing area lies on the southeast border of the Parisian basin, intersected by a number of valleys converging on the Siene and Yonne. The valley of Serein, waters the Chablis vineyards with its small tributaries. The vineyards classified as Premier Crus are situated on slopes with a southeast, south, and southwestern exposure. The decree of February 1978 states that the wines from a number of delimited parcels in the Chablis AOC area may be sold as Chablis, followed by the name of the climat of origin, or as Chablis Premier Cru. Produced exclusively from the Chardonnay grape varietal, these are white wines with a clear light gold color, sometimes with a green glint to them. In the mouth they are dry, light and fruity and sometimes acquire a delicate taste of violets. These wines age well. Alain Gautheron’s Chablis and Chablis Premier Crus are made in the family tradition of several generations of winemakers with meticulous care taken in all phases from the vine to the bottle.