What's The Difference Between Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay?

Forbes

7 days ago

A glass of white wine with grapes on a barrel
Walk into any wine aisle and you'll likely be faced with an early decision: Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay? They sit side by side on shelves and wine lists everywhere, from upscale restaurants to the corner grocery. And yet, stylistically, they might as well be from different planets.
For beginners, these two white wines offer a perfect entry point into understanding how grape variety, climate, and winemaking style can shape what ends up in your glass. Sauvignon Blanc is the zesty extrovert—bright, herbal, and attention-grabbing. Chardonnay is the versatile shapeshifter—sometimes crisp and citrusy, other times rich and buttery, depending on where it's made and how it's treated in the cellar.
Understanding the differences between the two isn't about picking a winner. It's about learning how wine communicates—how two grapes, both technically white, can feel like totally different experiences.
Meet Sauvignon Blanc: The Zesty Minimalist
Wine crops in a vineyard on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile. Chilean wine has a long history for a ... More New World wine region, as it was the 16th century when the Spanish conquistadors brought Vitis vinifera vines with them as they colonized the region. In the mid-19th century, French wine varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère and Franc were introduced.
Sauvignon Blanc is the kind of wine that announces itself the moment it hits the glass. There's no subtle slow burn here—it's a vivid splash of citrus and cut herbs, sometimes even an unmistakable whiff of jalapeño or fresh bell pepper. It's a wine that wakes up your senses, often described as 'racy' or 'crisp'—words that capture the zing of acidity dancing across your palate.
Its home turf is the Loire Valley of France, particularly Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, where it shows a lean, flinty elegance. But in the past few decades, it's become practically synonymous with New Zealand, where winemakers in Marlborough turned up the volume on tropical fruit, passionfruit, and lime zest to create a signature style that took the wine world by storm.
Sauvignon Blanc rarely sees oak, which means its flavors are direct and unvarnished—like a fruit salad served straight from the fridge. That chill factor is key: this is a wine meant to be refreshing. It's the glass you reach for after a long day or the one that pairs effortlessly with tangy goat cheese, bright vinaigrettes, and anything involving fresh herbs or seafood.
Chardonnay: The Shape-Shifter of White Wine
Chardonnay grapevines at an estate vineyard in BC's Okanogan winemaking region.
If Sauvignon Blanc is easy to read, Chardonnay is more of a choose-your-own-adventure story. In some hands, it's clean and minerally, like a walk through a lemon grove on a cool morning. In others, it's rich and decadent, layered with flavors of vanilla, toasted oak, ripe apple, or even butterscotch. What's remarkable is that these wildly different styles all come from the same grape.
That's because Chardonnay, unlike Sauvignon Blanc, is a relatively neutral variety. On its own, it doesn't shout. Instead, it takes cues from its surroundings—from the soil, the climate, and most of all, the winemaker's intentions. It's the grape equivalent of a great actor, able to transform completely depending on the role.
In Burgundy, where the grape originated, Chardonnay is often elegant and restrained. A bottle of Chablis, made from unoaked Chardonnay, can be steely and austere, all lemon peel and crushed shells. Move into Meursault or Puligny-Montrachet, and it becomes creamier, with a richer texture and complex notes of almond and stone fruit.
Cross the ocean to California, and things get broader and bolder. Chardonnay here often comes with generous oak aging and full malolactic fermentation, a process that softens acidity and gives the wine that signature buttery quality. You'll taste baked apples, caramel, and vanilla—and feel the plushness on your tongue like warm velvet.
And yet, not all New World Chardonnay is oaky. More and more producers, from Sonoma to Australia's Margaret River, are embracing the grape's fresher side, making clean, citrus-driven wines that feel as crisp and compelling as a Sauvignon Blanc—just with a bit more heft.
How They Show Up at the Table
Food antipasto prosciutto ham, salami, olives and bread sticks. Charcuterie board. Two glasses of ... More white wine or prosecco
One of the easiest ways to understand the difference between Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay is to sit with them at dinner. Sauvignon Blanc is a natural with light, zippy dishes. Think arugula salads, shrimp tacos, Thai takeout, and fresh goat cheese. It's the wine of summer lunches, rooftop toasts, and impromptu picnics.
Chardonnay, especially in its creamier expressions, asks for something heartier. It's ideal with roasted chicken, buttery seafood, pasta with cream sauce, or even Thanksgiving turkey. Unoaked versions can also be startlingly good with sushi, raw oysters, or simple grilled fish, especially when the wine's acidity is preserved.
Both can be versatile, but they speak different culinary languages. Sauvignon Blanc brings brightness and lift; Chardonnay brings structure and depth. If Sauvignon Blanc is the lemon, Chardonnay is the butter—and the two don't compete so much as they occupy different moods.
Bottles to Try
bottles of white wine in the supermarket
If you're just starting out and want to taste the classic styles side by side, here are a few trusted bottles:
What To Choose
Wine producer mane tasting the product after harvest and grape fermentation process - Vinification, ... More organic quality product and small business concept - Main focus on glass
There's no need to choose a side in the Sauvignon Blanc vs. Chardonnay debate—because wine isn't about loyalty, it's about exploration. These two grapes are staples for a reason: they show the breadth of what white wine can be. One is bright and grassy, the other smooth and layered. One pairs with citrus-dressed greens, the other with creamy pastas and shellfish.
The more you taste, the more you'll notice your preferences—maybe you lean toward unoaked styles across the board, or maybe you find yourself craving buttery Chardonnay on colder nights and Sauvignon Blanc by the pool.
And the best part? You don't need to memorize a flavor wheel or pass a sommelier exam to enjoy either. Just pour, sip, and listen to what the wine is telling you.
Because at the end of the day, the only real rule of wine is this: drink what you like. And with Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, there's a whole lot to like.