Chablis has long been one of my favorite regions. As a lover of oysters and all other sorts of seafood, I crave that salty, briny Chardonnay that only this region can produce.

Today’s the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere, so it seems as fitting a time as any to highlight some summer-friendly, versatile Chablis wines. Sure, there are those well-known producers whose wines have become increasingly out of my price range, but I really enjoy scoping around for more moderately-priced offerings that still deliver the Chablis goodness. Today I’m focusing on four different Chablis wines that fit nicely into that category.

These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted. (Pricing is based on wine-searcher averages.)

2020 Domaine du Colombier Petit Chablis – France, Burgundy, Chablis, Petit Chablis
$18
Light yellow color. Smells peachy and lemony, with a light and crisp approach, backed up with white flowers, sea salt and some oyster brine notes. Crisp and juicy on the palate, a riper style but still fresh and fun. Chunks of pineapple and lemon, with fine, dusty, chalky tones, and enough minerals to keep it interesting. Fun, fresh, honeyed, too, some floral and celery seed tones. This is a nice intro little Chablis. (87 points IJB)

2019 Joseph Drouhin/Drouhin-Vaudon Chablis – France, Burgundy, Chablis
$23
Pale lemon color. The aromas of limes and lemons pop, mixed with white tea, honey, crushed chalk – focused but expressive nose. On the palate, this shows nice creamy depth and bright acidity over top of lemon curd and honeyed pear fruit. A nice dose of chalk and minerals, this is a good expression of Chablis at a very reasonable price. (89 points IJB)

2019 Domaine Jolly et Fils Chablis – France, Burgundy, Chablis
$23
Medium yellow color. Bright nose of lemons and limes, floral perfume, chalky, honeyed tones. Light, fresh and fun presence on the palate, straightforward, with limes and lemons. Zesty, chalky, salty tones keep this interesting and fun. (88 points IJB)

2019 Domaine Pinson Frères Chablis 1er Cru La Forêt – France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru
$41
Medium yellow. So fresh and bright on the nose with the classic crushed shells and sea salt, with tones of hay, yellow flowers, with juicy lime fruit. Precise acidity on the palate, nice texture and depth, with limes, orange peel and tart apricot fruit. Racy yet deep with delicious saline, chalk dust, oyster shells and lemon drops. Long, deep but brisk – a delightful and complex Chablis. (91 points IJB)