Compare › Chenin Blanc vs Chardonnay
Chenin Blanc vs Chardonnay
similar body; similar tannin; Chenin Blanc has more acidity (very high vs fresh). Both are usually dry.
Typical structure · knowledge base
Chenin BlancChardonnay1 light / dry / low · 5 full / luscious / high
sweetness
1 · 1
body
3 · 3
tannin
1 · 1
acidity
5 · 4
oak
2 · 3
Same 1–5 numbers as the table. Typical for the variety, not a tasting of one wine.
| Chenin Blanc | Chardonnay | |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | white | white |
| sweetness | dry | dry |
| body | medium | medium |
| tannin | very soft | very soft |
| acidity | very high | fresh |
| oak | little | some |
| Aromas | green apple, quince, pear, honey, chamomile | green apple, lemon, wet stone (cool); peach, melon, pineapple (warm) |
| Classic regions | Vouvray / Montlouis; Savennières; Coteaux du Layon / Quarts de Chaume | Chablis; Côte de Beaune (Meursault, Puligny, Chassagne); Mâconnais (Pouilly-Fuissé, Saint-Véran) |
| Food | pork, roast chicken, Thai food (off-dry), goat cheese, apple desserts (sweet) | roast chicken, salmon, creamy pasta, risotto, lobster |
| Beginner-friendly | less so | yes |
Which should you buy?
Choose Chenin Blanc if you want medium body with very soft tannins and green apple, quince, pear; it suits pork, roast chicken, Thai food (off-dry). Choose Chardonnay for medium body, very soft tannins and green apple, lemon, wet stone (cool); peach; it suits roast chicken, salmon, creamy pasta.
Top Chenin Blanc
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Enemigo Chenin Blanc 2024 El Enemigo · Mendoza | £22.63 | |||
| Badenhorst Kalmoesfontein White Blend 2022 Badenhorst · Swartland | £24.62 | |||
| Clau de Nell Chenin Blanc 2023 Clau de Nell · Loire | £42.50 | |||
| Badenhorst Secateurs Chenin Blanc 2025 Badenhorst · Swartland | £15.95 | |||
| L'Ecole No. 41 Yakima Valley Chenin Blanc 2024 L'Ecole No. 41 · Washington | £20.38 | |||
| The Prisoner Wine Company Saldo Chenin Blanc 2023 The Prisoner Wine Company · California | £22.90 |
Top Chardonnay
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bodega Chacra Chardonnay 2023 Bodega Chacra · Argentina | £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 · Other Australia | £76.44 |