Compare › Chardonnay vs Pinot Gris
Chardonnay vs Pinot Gris
Chardonnay has more body (medium vs light); similar tannin; similar acidity. Both are usually dry.
| Chardonnay | Pinot Gris | |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | white | white |
| sweetness | dry | dry |
| body | medium | light |
| tannin | very soft | very soft |
| acidity | fresh | fresh |
| oak | some | none |
| Aromas | green apple, lemon, wet stone (cool); peach, melon, pineapple (warm) | pear, green apple, lemon (Grigio); honey, ginger, stone fruit |
| Classic regions | Chablis; Côte de Beaune (Meursault, Puligny, Chassagne); Mâconnais (Pouilly-Fuissé, Saint-Véran) | Alto Adige / Friuli / Veneto (delle Venezie); Alsace; Oregon / New Zealand |
| Food | roast chicken, salmon, creamy pasta, risotto, lobster | light fish, salads, antipasti, sushi (Grigio); pork, smoked salmon |
| Beginner-friendly | yes | yes |
Which should you buy?
Choose Chardonnay if you want medium body with very soft tannins and green apple, lemon, wet stone (cool); peach; it suits roast chicken, salmon, creamy pasta. Choose Pinot Gris for light body, very soft tannins and pear, green apple, lemon (Grigio); honey; it suits light fish, salads, antipasti.
Top Chardonnay
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bodega Chacra Chardonnay 2023 Bodega Chacra · Patagonia | £101.99 | |||
| My Favorite Neighbor Chardonnay 2021 My Favorite Neighbor · California | £58.66 | |||
| Domaine Patrick Javillier Meursault Les Tillets 2023 Domaine Patrick Javillier · Burgundy | £63.73 | |||
| Champagne Esterlin Cleo Blanc de Blancs 2012 Champagne Esterlin · Champagne | £66.88 | |||
| Antinori Cervaro della Sala 2023 Antinori · Umbria | £73.97 | |||
| Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay 2024 Tolpuddle Vineyard · Tasmania | £76.44 |
Top Pinot Gris
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marjan Simcic Pinot Grigio Cru Selection 2024 Marjan Simcic · Primorska | £20.28 | |||
| Marjan Simcic Pinot Grigio Classic 2025 Marjan Simcic · Primorska | £14.44 | |||
| Tunella Col Baje Pinot Grigio 2024 Tunella · Friuli | £21.23 | |||
| Black Cottage Rose 2025 Two Rivers · Marlborough | £11.04 | |||
| Tunella Pinot Grigio 2025 Tunella · Friuli | £14.44 | |||
| Kumeu River Village Pinot Gris 2025 Kumeu River · Auckland | £18.52 |