Comparison
Chenin Blanc vs Chardonnay
Two versatile whites that both take oak — how do they differ?
The short answer
The main differences: Chenin Blanc has more sweetness; Chenin Blanc has more acidity; Chardonnay has more body.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Sweetness
Clear differencePerceived sugar in the finished wine, driven mainly by residual sugar but modified by acidity, alcohol and fruit ripeness.
Chenin Blanc is sweeter: medium against low.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Chenin Blanc is fresher and more acidic: high against medium-plus.
Body
Clear differenceThe overall weight and viscosity of the wine in the mouth — a composite of alcohol, sugar, extract and glycerol.
Chardonnay is fuller and richer: medium-plus against medium.
Spice
Clear differencePepper, clove, cinnamon and related spice notes, whether from the grape (as with rotundone in Syrah) or from oak.
Chardonnay is spicier: low-medium against low.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Tannin: Similar — both low.
- Alcohol: Similar — both medium.
- Fruit intensity: Similar — both medium.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium.
- Oak influence: Similar — both medium.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Chenin Blanc | Chardonnay |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetness | typically medium, ranging from low to high (3/5) | low (1/5) |
| Acidity | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from low-medium to high (4/5) |
| Body | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from low-medium to high (4/5) |
| Spice | low (1/5) | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) |
| Tannin | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Oak influence | typically medium, ranging from low to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low to high (3/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium, ranging from low to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Floral character | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) |
| Herbal / green character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Earthy character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from low-medium to high (4/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Texture | typically medium-plus, ranging from low-medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from low-medium to high (4/5) |
| Serve at | 11–14°C | 12–15°C |
| Typical flavours | quince, yellow apple, honey, chamomile, wet wool | green apple, lemon, white peach, pineapple, hazelnut |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Grape
Chenin Blanc
The most versatile white grape there is: dry, off-dry, sweet or sparkling, and capable of ageing for decades.
Grape
Chardonnay
The most adaptable white grape in the world, and the one most often blamed for what winemakers do to it.
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