Sauvignon Blanc Vs Pinot Grigio Vs Chardonnay
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White wine is as popular as ever, and the quality couldn’t be better overall. White wine is incredibly versatile and a fantastic alternative for pool parties and cozy evenings by the fire. And although there are hundreds of white grapes, three are amongst everyone’s favorites: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay. How are they different?
Let’s talk about three great white grapes and the wines made with them. The best part? You don’t have to choose. All three grapes make distinct wines, and there’s a time and place for all of them.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a French varietal native to the Loire Valley, and it produces spectacular wines in the appellations of Pouilly Fumé and Sancerre. Still, Sauvignon Blanc has proven successful anywhere it’s been planted, from Coastal Chile and South Africa to the California Coast.
Sauvignon Blanc makes clean, crisp wines with pleasing herbal scents, and when planted in warmer climates, it shows delicious tropical fruit aromas. Sauvignon Blanc is the very definition of refreshing white wine, and it never disappoints.
Aromas: Gooseberries, fresh-cut grass, citrus, flint, guava, passion fruit and jalapeno.
Pairings: Seafood, whitefish, goat’s cheese, salads and vegetarian dishes.
Pinot Grigio
Despite its Italian name, Pinot Grigio is a French grape, also known as Pinot Gris. This is a natural mutation of the famous Pinot Noir, but it’s a unique varietal in its own right. Pinot Gris is typical in Alsace, France, but the most popular wines made with the grape come from Northern Italy.
Pinot Grigio produces sharp, peachy wines with a dry palate and a refreshing mouthfeel. Not dissimilar to Sauvignon Blanc in terms of acidity and freshness, Pinot Grigio is a lovely substitute for Sauvignon.
Aromas: White peaches, green apples, white flowers, almonds.
Pairings: Seafood, whitefish, risotto, mussels, fresh and cured cheese and cured meat.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is the queen of white grapes; it’s not only the most planted white varietal worldwide but also one of the most versatile. Chardonnay is native to Burgundy, France, where it produces a wide variety of wine styles. Champagne and most other sparkling wines also benefit from Chardonnay’s versatility.
There are two main types of Chardonnay; unoaked Chardonnay is fresh and easy to drink, while oak-aged examples are full-bodied, creamy and buttery. Chardonnay is one of the few white grapes compatible with oak aging.
Aromas: Golden apples, white flowers, honeysuckle, butter, brioche, marshmallow, mango and pineapple.
Pairings: Fatty fish like salmon and tuna, roasted poultry, white meat and semi-hard cheese.
Which is Best?
Today most white wines on the market are pleasingly tart and fruity, and Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio both fall in this category. Chardonnay, on the other hand, offers more options in terms of food pairings. This, of course, doesn’t mean one grape is better than others, but it’s good to know when to go for one or the other.
White wine is best enjoyed chilled, and although sweltering summer days call for a glass of white wine, the category will quench your thirst year-round. There’s nothing white wine can’t do. What are your go-to white grapes?
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