Comparison
New Zealand Chardonnay vs Savennières
How New Zealand Chardonnay and Savennières differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Savennières has more earthy character; Savennières has more acidity; New Zealand Chardonnay has more fruit intensity.
Choose
New Zealand Chardonnay
Choose New Zealand Chardonnay if you want something fruitier, more oaky.
Choose
Savennières
Choose Savennières if you want something earthier, fresher and more acidic, fresher.
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.
Earthy character
Clear differenceForest floor, mushroom, wet stone, clay and undergrowth notes. Frequently, though not exclusively, associated with cooler and more traditional styles.
Savennières is earthier: medium against low.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Savennières is fresher and more acidic: high against medium-plus.
Fruit intensity
Clear differenceHow loudly the fruit flavours speak, independent of whether they are ripe or tart.
New Zealand Chardonnay is fruitier: medium-plus against medium.
Oak influence
Clear differencePerceptible impact of barrel or alternative oak contact — vanilla, toast, coconut, smoke, cedar and added texture.
New Zealand Chardonnay is more oaky: medium against low-medium.
Perceived freshness
Clear differenceThe overall impression of liveliness — a composite of acidity, alcohol balance, fruit character and the absence of tiredness. Distinct from raw acidity: a wine can be high in acid yet taste heavy.
Savennières is fresher: high against medium-plus.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Tannin: Similar — both low.
- Alcohol: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Body: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium.
Full side by side
| Dimension | New Zealand Chardonnay | Savennières |
|---|---|---|
| Earthy character | low (1/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Oak influence | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Tannin | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Body | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Floral character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Herbal / green character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Spice | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Texture | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Serve at | 10–12°C | 11–14°C |
| Typical flavours | white peach, grapefruit, lemon curd, hazelnut, flint | quince, chamomile, beeswax, wet wool, bruised apple |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.