Jean-Paul Droin Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre

If Jean-Paul Droin Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre stands out for one thing, it is for its mineral notes. The character of this white wine, made in the A.O.C. Chablis Premier Cru, comes directly from its kimmeridgian soil. This land, which in Jurassic times was submerged by the waters of the Tetis Sea (a Mesozoic era ocean), is formed by marly and stony limestone, with remains of fossil oysters.

Here, in the Montée de Tonnerre vineyard in the Chablis Valley in Burgundy (northeastern France), Jean Paul Droin watches over the Chardonnay grapes used to make his wines. In total there are almost two hectares, facing west, growing vines with an average age of 50 years old using completely sustainable methods.

To make Jean-Paul Droin Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre, the grapes are placed in the press, where they are crushed. The resulting must undergoes a cold settling for 12 to 24 hours. This pre-fermentation process is very important, because the cold will help to settle the plant remains and the substances that add herbaceous notes to the wine. After that, some of the Jean-Paul Droin Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre wine will ferment in stainless steel tanks, and some will ferment in barrels. Finally, a malolactic fermentation and blending, aged for 8 to 10 months, will complete the process and Jean-Paul Droin Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre is bottled.