Although 2024 is one of the worst years ever for Chablis, the wine festival ‘Fête des Vins de Chablis’ will of course continue as usual. But it did reflect on the poor harvest. Hailstorms in early May caused considerable damage in the vineyards. The hailstones made short work of the young grape shoots sprouting in May. It was therefore clear early on that the harvest would be much smaller. Now it appears that some winemakers had as much as 75 per cent less yield.
Anyway, back to the festivities. The weather was cooperative, bright blue and 21 degrees. Every year the ‘Fête des Vins’ is held in Chablis. Now in its 76th year, the event has existed since 1949. It is always held in the fourth week of October. A two-day festival that revolves around the appellation’s wines. The festival is organised by the ‘Office du Chablis’ in collaboration with the Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne (BIVB). Just under 40 winemakers exhibited and some 7,000 visitors came to the event. Both individuals and professionals are welcome. And of course, it’s all about tasting the ‘oyster water’. And yes, there were also ‘huîtres’, inextricably linked to this wine.
Winemakers often display all their wines. So too this year. From Petit Chablis to Grand Cru. The event is a great way to taste some Grand Cru. In practice, these wines remain a bit more in the background anyway and only show up on fine occasions. A single winemaker from Vézelay and Irany also exhibited. With Vézelay being an interesting addition. This appellation has only existed since 2017. The following winemakers were featured:
- Domaine Bardet et Fils
- Domaine Besson
- Baptiste Bienvenu
- Jean-Marc Brocard
- Domaine Christophe Camu
- La Chablisienne
- Domaine Elodie Chalmeau
- Domaine Chantemerle
- Maison De La Chapelle
- Domaine Du Chardonnay
- Domaine De Chaude Ecuelle
- Domaine Stéphanie Colinot
- Domaine Jean Collet et Fils
- Domaine De La Cote De Fasse
- Domaine Coulaudin-Bussy
- Domaine Courtault Michelet
- Agnès et Didier Dauvissat
- Clotilde Davenne
- Domaine Delaloye
- Domaine Jean-Paul et Benoît Droin
- Jean Durup et Fils
- William Fevre
- Garnier et Fils
- Domaine Alain Geoffroy
- Famille Grossot
- Domaine Céline et Frédéric Gueguen
- Domaine Krantz
- Lamblin et Fils
- Domaine Long-Depaquit
- Domaine Des Malandes
- Domaine De La Meuliere
- Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils
- Domaine Louis Moreau
- Domaine De La Motte
- Domaine Oudin
- Domaine Des Pérégrins
- Domaine Philippon Frères
- Domaine Des Quatre Chemins
- Regnard
- Domaine Antoine et Laura Robin
- Louis Robin
- Camille et Laurent Schaller
- Domaine Servin
- Maison Simonnet-Febvre
- Domaine Soupé
- Domaine Eleni et Edouard Vocoret
- Domaine Vocoret et Fils
- Domaine Vrignaud
- Domaine Xavier Yverneau
The wines could be tasted by buying a glass at the beginning of the trail. For 6 euros, one became the owner of a wine glass with which to taste at each stall. The tasting was then, of course, free.
Traditionally, there was also the christening of the new vintage in the presence of two patrons and the parade of the brotherhood of the ‘Piliers Chablisiens’. Walks through the vineyards were also organised.