La Chablisienne Chablis La Sereine 2019

In the glass the “La Sereine” 2019 shows a pale gold colour with bright clarity. The nose is subtly ripe yet fresh: orchard fruits such as green apple and pear, a whisper of citrus zest, and the sea-shell mineral character so emblematic of Chablis. The palate opens with crystalline acidity and a fine, chalky texture from the Kimmeridgian soils; mid-palate notes of lime zest, white peach and delicate floral hues persist before a clean, stony finish. The wine feels elegant yet firmly structured — the heat-concentrated vintage giving a richer body without sacrificing freshness. On balance, this is a Chablis of poise and minerality, ready to enjoy now but with the backbone to evolve gracefully over several years.

“La Sereine” 2019 pairs beautifully with seafood and light dishes that echo its minerality and acidity. Consider fresh oysters on the half shell or crisp littleneck clams linguine “alle vongole” style. Grilled sea bass with lemon-herb butter, pan-seared scallops on cauliflower purée, or goat-cheese tartlets with fennel also make elegant companions. For a slightly richer match, serve with roasted chicken breast with parsley-lemon sauce or butter-poached lobster tails. Finish the meal with a simple almond-madeleine and a glass of the same wine — a refined nod to the pairing of Chablis and delicate almond-note pastries.

Nestled in the northernmost reaches of Burgundy lies the famed Chablis appellation, where flinty Kimmeridgian soils rich in fossilised oyster shells give birth to a Chardonnay of crystalline precision and minerality. The cooperative La Chablisienne was founded in 1923 by a group of growers seeking strength in unity amid economic hardship. Today it represents some 270 wine-growing families and roughly 1,200 hectares of vineyard holdings. The collaboration gives the winery exceptional access to a spectrum of terroirs across all four of Chablis’s sub-appellations: Petit Chablis, Chablis, Premier Cru and Grand Cru.

“La Sereine” is crafted as a single-terroir expression within the Chablis AOC, drawing from parcels located near the river Serein — hence its name (“serene”). The vineyards are planted on classic Kimmeridgian clay-limestone with fossilised shell fragments, a foundation for the appellation’s signature minerality. The 2019 vintage in Chablis was marked by extremes: frost in May reduced yields, followed by drought and heat that concentrated flavours and maintained vibrant acidity. These conditions resulted in wines of refined intensity, firm structure and lingering freshness. With La Chablisienne’s careful approach — including stainless-steel and limited neutral oak maturation, plus fine-lees ageing — the 2019 “La Sereine” offers a transparent window into the region’s mineral vitality and the cooperative’s commitment to terroir-driven white Burgundy.