Chardonnay is the only grape variétal used to produce Chablis, and is in fact considered one of the finest white wine grappes. With Chablis, the Chardonnay grappes finds a finesse and a distinctive minéral quality which is unmatched anywhere in the world.

The appellation of Chablis is located on soil dating from the second Jurassic era known as « Kimmeridgien », made up of chalky hills containing a large quantity of marine fossils ; « Exogyra Virgula » being the principal example, which plays an important rôle in identifying the distinctive characteristic of Chablis.