Compare › Sauvignon Blanc vs Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc vs Chardonnay
Chardonnay has more body (medium vs light); similar tannin; Sauvignon Blanc has more acidity (very high vs fresh). Both are usually dry.
Typical structure · knowledge base
Sauvignon BlancChardonnay1 light / dry / low · 5 full / luscious / high
sweetness
1 · 1
body
2 · 3
tannin
1 · 1
acidity
5 · 4
oak
1 · 3
Same 1–5 numbers as the table. Typical for the variety, not a tasting of one wine.
| Sauvignon Blanc | Chardonnay | |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | white | white |
| sweetness | dry | dry |
| body | light | medium |
| tannin | very soft | very soft |
| acidity | very high | fresh |
| oak | none | some |
| Aromas | gooseberry, passionfruit, grapefruit, cut grass, asparagus | green apple, lemon, wet stone (cool); peach, melon, pineapple (warm) |
| Classic regions | Marlborough; Sancerre / Pouilly-Fumé; Bordeaux (Pessac-Léognan, Entre-Deux-Mers) | Chablis; Côte de Beaune (Meursault, Puligny, Chassagne); Mâconnais (Pouilly-Fuissé, Saint-Véran) |
| Food | goat cheese, asparagus, salads, white fish, sushi | roast chicken, salmon, creamy pasta, risotto, lobster |
| Beginner-friendly | yes | yes |
Which should you buy?
Choose Sauvignon Blanc if you want light body with very soft tannins and gooseberry, passionfruit, grapefruit; it suits goat cheese, asparagus, salads. Choose Chardonnay for medium body, very soft tannins and green apple, lemon, wet stone (cool); peach; it suits roast chicken, salmon, creamy pasta.
Top Sauvignon Blanc
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eisele Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2022 Eisele Vineyard · California | £105.22 | |||
| Rapaura Springs Rohe Blind River Sauvignon Blanc 2025 Rapaura Springs · Marlborough | £15.95 | |||
| Rapaura Springs Bull Paddock Sauvignon Blanc 2024 Rapaura Springs · Marlborough | £18.32 | |||
| Two Rivers Convergence Sauvignon Blanc 2024 Two Rivers · Marlborough | £18.52 | |||
| Domaine Naturaliste Sauvage Sauvignon Blanc 2023 Domaine Naturaliste · Margaret River | £25.13 | |||
| Blank Canvas Abstract Sauvignon Blanc 2020 Blank Canvas · Marlborough | £25.50 |
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 |