I have always been a fan of Chablis.

Fresh, flirty, fun, and always refreshing, showcasing the limestone soils of northern Burgundy delivering mineral-driven wines with great acidity and vibrancy.

Chablis also happens to be my favorite cousin, named by my whimsical aunt in honor of the charming region, revealing her affinity for the great wines of France early in her lifetime.

We are a family of Scots, filled with a long lineage of family names, Clement, Bramlette, Edward, Kirkland, Anne, but somehow the children of the traditional embraced their playful nature in the 60s and 70s, naming their children Chablis, Daphne, Hayley, and Catlan. Yes, each unusual when we were growing up, by each name is so ideally matched to the personality of the person, so thank you to our parents for that.

Today is my fabulous cousin, Chablis, birthday. In honor of her, I raise a glass to my favorite Chablis with a celebration-worthy Chablis. Happy Birthday, Chab!

Allowing their terroir to shine through organic and sustainable farming practices, Domaine Bernard Defaix believes this is the best way for authenticity to shine through their Premier Cru Chablis. From the fourth generation of vine growers, the Domine began in 1959 with just 6ish acres of land. Today, they farm over 75 acres of vines in Chablis Premier Cru (Côte de Lechet, Vaillons and Lys), Chablis and Petit Chablis.

With roundness, texture, and length, Domaine Bernard Defaix Chablis 1st Cru Cote de Lechet Reserve is produced from one of the estate’s oldest vineyards, planted in 1955. Half of the wine is fermented in French oak, aging on the lees for one year, and blended with the remaining half of the wine, also aged on the lees in stainless steel, capturing both a creamy richness and the classic mineral-rich profile Chablis is so known for. The bouquet marries white flowers, crushed stone, and soft herb, leading to crisp golden apple, honeysuckle, tangerine, and creamy vanilla custard.