Today’s match-up: Sauvignon Blanc vs Chardonnay. Let’s compare and contrast these two giants in the white wine world. When presented with a choice of white wines, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are almost always offered. They are the two most popular white grapes but they couldn’t be more different. Below you’ll learn:
- The 11 key differences between Sauvignon Blanc vs Chardonnay
- The best wine regions for each grape
- Aromas and Flavors of Sauvignon Blanc
- Aromas and Flavors of Chardonnay
- Food pairing for Sauvignon Blanc
- Food pairing for Chardonnay
- Serving and storage suggestion for Sauvignon Blanc vs Chardonnay
Key differences between Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay at a Glance
Here are the differences between Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay at a glance. These are general characteristics of each grape. Of course, depending on the soil, the winemaking, and the region, these elements of the wine change. This is a broad overview of Sauvignon Blanc vs Chardonnay.
Sauvignon Blanc vs Chardonnay Chart
Body: Sauvignon Blanc is medium to light-bodied vs Chardonnay which is medium to full-bodied.
Acid: Sauvignon Blanc has high acid vs Chardonnay that has medium acid.
Alcohol: Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay both have medium alcohol levels.
Sweet/Dry: Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are both dry.
Flavors: Sauvignon Blanc smells like lime, lemon, grapefruit and grass. Chardonnay smells like green apple, pear, lemon, butter, and vanilla.
Food Pairing: Sauvignon Blanc pairs with light food like sushi, white fish, chicken, turkey, vegetables, and pork. Chardonnay pairs with heavier food like lobster, salmon, halibut, cream sauces, and buttered dishes.
Climate: Sauvignon Blanc grows best in cool to moderate climates versus Chardonnay that has a broader range from cold to Mediterranean climates.
Budding: Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay both bud early.
Ripening: Sauvignon Blanc ripens late vs Chardonnay which ripens early.
Best Soils: Sauvignon Blanc grows best in clay and sand soils vs Chardonnay which grows best in limestone and chalk soils.
Best Regions for Sauvignon Blanc: Sancerre, Bordeaux, Marlborough, Sonoma
Best Regions for Chardonnay: Champagne, Chablis, Macon, Napa, and Australia
Sauvignon Blanc vs Chardonnay in the vineyard
Where does Sauvignon Blanc grow best?
Sauvignon Blanc grows best in cool to warm climates. It is an early-budding and late-ripening grape, therefore does best in areas with a long growing season but without too much heat and sun exposure. Sauvignon Blanc is herald for its crisp acidity which dulls in climates that are too hot. Sauvignon Blanc is famous in both Bordeaux where it is blended with Semillon, and Sancerre in the Loire Valley. You’ll also find amazing Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough, New Zealand, Sonoma California, as well as Chile and South Africa.
Where does Chardonnay grow best?
Chardonnay grows best in a cold climates but is very adaptable in most wine growing zones. It is the most widely planted white grape in the world. It is an early-budding grape as well but unlike Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay ripens early. Chardonnay grows best in Champagne and Burgundy where it is quite cold, Napa Valley which is moderate to warm. Chardonnay grows best in limestone and chalky soils like those found in Chablis and Champagne. The best regions in Burgundy for Chardonnay are Côte de Beaune and Mâconnais. Since you’ll find Chardonnay throughout the world, you’ll also find an expression of Chardonnay that suits your palate.
Sauvignon Blanc vs Chardonnay in the glass
The biggest differences between Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are in the glass. The aromas and flavors are very different. Though both fruity, Sauvignon Blanc has more citrus notes and Chardonnay has more tree fruit characteristics.
What does Sauvignon Blanc taste like?
Sauvignon Blanc is a high acid, light-bodied wine with lots of citrus fruit. When grown in Sancerre it takes on a mineral character like seashells and flint. When grown in New Zealand it becomes pungent with gooseberries, lime, grass and even cat pee smells (you read that correctly, Sauvignon Blanc can really smell like cat pee!). Sonoma produces Sauvignon Blanc with the most fruit character, always an emphasis on citrus but also cantaloupe and melon. If you ever see Fume on a New World Sauvignon Blanc label, then the winemaker has chosen to age it in a bit of oak. This will elevate Sauvignon Blanc to more medium to full body. (See notification box below).
What’s the difference between Poully Fume and Pouilly Fuisse?
Pouilly Fumé or Pouilly Fuissé
If you want to be beyond confused take these two wines, Pouilly Fumé and Pouilly Fuissé. You would think they were the same thing or at least from the same place. A giant NOPE! Pouilly Fumé is Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley. Pouilly Fuissé is Chardonnay from Burgundy.
Here’s where it gets even more annoying. For some reason, new world winemakers in regions like California and Australia started putting Fume on their Sauvignon Blanc labels to convey to the consumer that it is SB aged in oak. HOWEVER, Pouilly Fumé is NOT aged in oak. Annoying, right?
What does Chardonnay taste like?
Chardonnay is a medium acid wine that can become quite full-bodied. Chardonnay is a rather neutral grape that takes on the characteristics given by the winemaker or soil. It is often described as tasting like lemon and green apples. Chardonnay is the main white grape of Champagne as well. It does favorably in the Cotes des Blanc which is dominantly chalk soils. In Chablis, Chardonnay takes a large influence from the kimmeridgian soils which is made of limestone and seashell fossils.
If you are Team Sauvignon Blanc but would like to start enjoying Chardonnay, try the unoaked Chardonnays of Chablis. You’ll love them. In Napa Valley, Chardonnay is often buttery from a process called malolactic fermentation. It is often aged in oak barrels which gives it vanilla and spice flavors.
A quick bit of information about malolactic fermentation. I go into this topic extensively here but just real quick for right now. Malolactic fermentation, aka malolactic conversion, aka MLF, is the process of malic acid turning into lactic acid. Think lactic like lactose. So during this conversion, diacetyl is formed. Diacetyl is what makes Chardonnay smell and taste like butter. MLF occurs in almost all red wines but in few white wines. This is a winemakers choice. They can prevent or encourage malolactic fermentation.
Sauvignon Blanc vs Chardonnay with Food Pairing
When it comes time to choose between Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, let your meal decide. There are types of Sauv Blanc that pair best with some foods and Chardonnay has their own dishes where it shines.
What food pairs best with Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay?
When you’re considering what wine to pair with what food, you’ll need to consider a few elements. Firstly is balance. Light and delicate foods pair best with Sauvignon Blanc vs Chardonnay that can handle heartier dishes.
Secondly, if you think of wine like a condiment, then you can make ever better food pairings. Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with any food you would squeeze a lemon on like fish, oysters, seafood, poultry, and salads. Chardonnay pairs well with any food you would put butter on like lobster, halibut, salmon, or even a steak.
Lastly, consider the acidity of the wine. The higher the acid the better it will pair with oily dishes, salty dishes, and foods that are themselves acidic. Foods with tomato sauce or lemon dressings will do better with Sauvignon Blanc vs Chardonnay that pairs better with cream sauces.
Serving and Storing Suggestions
Both Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay should be served chilled. If either is oak aged then it can be served slightly warmer, but just slightly. A universal white wine glass is best for Sauvignon Blanc vs Chardonnay which should be served in a wide bulb glass. Neither Sauvignon Blanc nor Chardonnay need to be decanted.
Both Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay should not be aged more than 2 to 3 years. Oak on either will extend their shelf life another few years. As with everything, there are exceptions. Chardonnay from Burgundy is incredibly age-worthy and can be aged up to 20 years! Ageing wine can be confusing, reference this chart if you are purchasing particularly special bottles of either.
In conclusion
Comparing Sauvignon Blanc with Chardonnay is like comparing oranges (well in this case lemons) to apples. They each have their own unmistakable flavor profiles. It’s up to you to decide if you want citrus and grass, or apples and pears. Do you want a light wine or a full-bodied wine?
When choosing between Sauvignon Blanc vs Chardonnay, take into consideration what you’ll be eating. Light food with Sauvignon Blanc and heavier dishes with Chardonnay. If you’re not eating at all, the lightness and crispness of Sauvignon Blanc will serve you well whereas, Chardonnay can sometimes feel big enough to constitute a meal!
Quick Reference Chart: Sauvignon Blanc vs Chardonnay
So what’s your favorite? Are you a SB drinker or are you Chardonnay all day? Let me know in the comments.
I’m from CA and from reading this article I’m realizing that I’m definitely partial to California Chardonnays! Buttery and oaky with notes of vanilla would pretty much describe my ideal Chardonnay! I’m always amazed how Chardonnays can vary in flavor – what about the process would make it more light and “crisp” tasting rather than buttery?
You are definitely a California girl! Buttery Chardonnay makes me gag! Though admittedly it goes great with certain foods. If they ferment in stainless steel and use neutral or no oak, it’ll be more lemon and green apple than buttery and vanilla.