Chablis Explained: Petit vs Chablis vs Premier Cru

If the world’s best wines from France aren’t using oak… why do so many Chardonnays in Australia and the New World taste so oaky?In this episode of Got Somme, Angus O’Loughlin and Master Sommelier Carlos Santos take a deep dive into Chablis, the purest expression of Chardonnay. We blind taste three bottles from the same producer and vintage at three price points — Petit Chablis ($40), Chablis AOC ($48), and Chablis Premier Cru ($78) — to find out whether price really does equal quality. Along the way, we break down:Why Chablis tastes like oyster shellsThe difference between Petit Chablis, Chablis, Premier Cru and Grand CruLeft Bank vs Right Bank of the Serein RiverWhen (and why) some producers start using oakThe real meaning of minerality in ChablisWhether Premier Cru is actually worth the extra moneyAngus kicks things off with a blind tasting challenge… and shockingly out-tastes a Master Sommelier to start 2026 in style.If you think you don’t like Chardonnay, this episode might completely change your mind. SPONSORSGrays.com https://www.grays.com/search/wineRIEDEL https://www.riedel.com/en-au/shop#sort=bestSeller(Australians use code: GOTSOMME New Zealand: GOTSOMMENZ at check out for 20% off) What We’re DrinkingProducer: Simonnet-FebvreVintage: 2023Petit Chablis – $40Chablis AOC – $48Chablis Premier Cru – $78 Chapters00:00 – Why Chablis Isn’t Oaky01:50 – Blind Tasting Begins03:25 – Does Price Equal Quality?04:30 – Chablis vs Chardonnay Explained08:35 – Left Bank vs Right Bank of Chablis10:20 – What Is Petit Chablis?12:35 – What Makes Chablis AOC Better? 14:40 – Premier Cru vs Grand Cru18:10 – Is Premier Cru Worth the Money?20:00 – Why Some Chablis Uses Oak26:45 – Steak vs Jus (Best Wine Analogy Ever)28:10 – Master Sommelier Blind Tasting Fail chablis, chablis wine, chablis vs chardonnay, petit chablis, chablis premier cru, chablis grand cru, blind wine tasting, master sommelier, wine podcast, got somme, wine education, french wine, white wine, chardonnay styles, why, chablis tastes mineral, oak, chardonnay, best chablis, wine tasting australia