The rising popularity of white wine in the global wine market has become clear recently. According to The Business Research Company (TBRC), the global white wine market was tallied at $42.4 billion (about 62.5 trillion won) last year. It is expected to grow to $55.9 billion (about 82.5 trillion won) in 2029.
In particular, as more consumers look for "light and refreshing white wine," the presence of Chablis, the northernmost area of Burgundy in France, is also growing. In Chablis, wine is made from 100% Chardonnay. The Burgundy Wine Board released the '2024 report on the Burgundy wine market in Korea,' analyzing that "younger generations prefer Chardonnay-based white wines, and wines from Chablis account for 32% of Burgundy's white wine export volume to Korea."
Even as white wines across Europe are gradually becoming riper and heavier due to climate change, Chablis still maintains a cold, lively acidity. Noted wine critic Jancis Robinson said of Chablis, "It is strong, high in acidity, and has a steely texture," adding, "Chablis lovers cherish its pure and restrained flavors and the sharp sensation that sweeps across the palate."
The character of Chablis comes from soil accumulated over a long period. The local soil is Kimmeridgian limestone formed as ancient seabed sediments from 150 million years ago solidified, with fossils of shellfish embedded as they are. It is high in calcium, magnesium, and marine minerals. Chardonnay grown in this rock stratum naturally reveals flint aromas, salty minerality, and a straight-line acidity. It is a white wine that stands out for restraint, stripping away oak notes and the flamboyance of ripe fruit.
In addition, Chablis is the northernmost in Burgundy and is characterized by a cool climate. The valley terrain formed along the Serein River has large day-night temperature swings and strong winds, so grapes ripen slowly. Because of this, it can maintain relatively low alcohol levels and vivid acidity even amid climate change.
One of the region's representative producers, Domaine Garnier & Fils, is a family-run winery based in Ligny-le-Châtel. "Fils" means "sons" in French, and the estate is currently run by brothers Xavier and Mathieu.
The Garnier family has long owned vineyards in the area and began bottling under their own name in 1996. In addition to Ligny-le-Châtel, they own vineyards in Petit Chablis, Maligny, Villy, and Lignorelles, and manage plots by finely dividing conditions such as soil, slope, and wind flow. They also have long-term contracts with reliable grape growers in several grand cru areas.
Domaine Garnier & Fils Chablis is made from Chardonnay harvested from vines 15 to 30 years old. Grapes are picked relatively late until they develop sufficient aroma and structure. They minimize human intervention throughout the process from cultivation to bottling. This stems from a philosophy that prioritizes clear terroir over mass production.
Grapes are pressed more gently than usual, slowly over more than six hours, to extract only clear juice. Fermentation uses native yeast for about 120 days, and only the minimum necessary sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is used as a preservative. The wine is aged for 11 months in stainless steel tanks, undergoing only light filtration, with fining or cold stabilization omitted. This is a choice to avoid overworking the wine by hand and to reveal the soil's character and the grapes' individuality as they are.
The finished wine shows a bright, clear golden hue, with fresh aromas of lemon, grapefruit, and chamomile alongside the toasty richness of brioche. On the palate, lively acidity and precise mineral texture strike a balance, pairing especially well with fish and seafood dishes, cheese, and light salads. This wine won the grand prize in the Old World white wine category at the 2025 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards. The importer in Korea is Vino H.