Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume of Domaine Gérard Tremblay is a fresh, fruity Chablis. We tasted the 2021 vintage – very young, but ready to drink. This domaine, which has a sizeable 37 ha, has been producing Chablis for five generations. The family consists of Gérard Tremblay, his wife Hélène, as well as his children Vincent and Léonore, who are all involved in the winemaking business.
The Winemaking
The domaine works on the principle of gravity. Thus, grapes are discharged directly into the pneumatic press, where the must settles for 12 to 24 hours. The larger impurities fall out, without any addition of enzymes. The clean must then goes into the stainless steel tanks. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts, which means with the natural yeasts that come with the grapes. Therefore, no addition of artificial (selected) yeasts that might influence the character of the wine. The expression of the terroir is what the team at Domaine Gérard Tremblay aims at. The temperature is controlled, alcoholic fermentation takes place at 20°C, the malolactic fermentation follows at temperatures above 18°C. Following fermentation, the Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume is left to mature for 6 to 12 months in inox tanks, with 20% maturing in barrels.
The Wine
Straw colour. Fine and complex aromas in the nose, typical for Chablis, with notes of honey and white flowers. In the mouth, the wine is fruity, with notes of passion fruit and citric notes. This Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume is a dry wine, with a wonderful freshness. Long finish. We very much enjoyed it, in the Restaurant of the Café de la Paix, next to the Opéra Palais Garnier, Paris. We paired it with a great dish of poached scallops on leek fondue, with beurre blanc. Great pairing.