Pinot Grigio vs Chardonnay: A Comparison
The two most popular white wines you should know about are chardonnay and pinot grigio. Looking pretty identical when poured into a glass, the real discovery of these wines is in the swirl and sip. Nail these and you’ll be drinking and dining like an expert.
Key Differences Between Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio
Besides both being white wines, chardonnay and pinot grigio are surprisingly very different. Check out their distinct characteristics below:
The Core Ingredient - Grape:
The defining factor of any wine is the base grape used to make it. Pinot grigio, despite being a white wine, is made from red grapes (pinkish-grey to be precise). Its white colour comes from removing the skin before crushing the grapes. Chardonnay, on the other hand, is made from green-skinned grapes. With a more neutral profile, chardonnay is the perfect playground for winemakers to display their unique craftsmanship.
Characteristics:
Pinot grigio is a light-bodied wine, whereas chardonnay can be a bit of it all, lighter if unoaked and heavier or full-bodied when oaked.
Comparing tannins, pinot grigio has a low level of tannins and a high acidity. Perfect as is on a summer's day, pinot grigio can also be balanced with the right food pairing to bring out the best-tasting experience. Think bright salads, seafood pasta and vegetable risotto. On the other hand, chardonnay has low tannins, but soft tannins can also be noticed due to the grape’s thicker skin (the bit responsible for tannins). With so many flavour profiles the wine can take on, chardonnay is a versatile wine that matches just as well with grilled meats as it does with cheesecake.
Flavour Notes:
Light and zesty, pinot grigio’s flavour profile consists of citrus and bright fruits including lemon, lime and green apple, and sweet floral notes like honeysuckle. Give a good swirl and taste to see if you can pick up subtle notes of almond and spice too.
Buttery and fruity are the adjectives often attached to chardonnay, although it's the terroir (environmental factors) that has the biggest impact on overall chardonnay flavour. Cooler climates lead to a crisp and citrusy chardonnay, whereas warmer temperatures bring out richer and fruitier flavours due to more sugars developing in the warmth. Each region produces a different chardonnay.
Ageing:
Stealing the spotlight for time is chardonnay. Although, while known for its ability to age gracefully (sometimes for as long as 10 years), not all chardonnays are aged, this is up to the individual winemaker and the flavours they are after.
What pinot grigio misses out for in time, the white wine makes up for in flavour. Best opened and enjoyed within 1-2 years of bottling, drink pinot grigio young to make the most of its full fresh flavour.
Popular Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay Brands
Now that you understand more about chardonnay and pinot grigio, it’s time to find a bottle. And that’s what BWS does best. Here is our curated list of top must-try pinot grigio and chardonnay brands you can buy online or from your nearest BWS bottle O.
Top Brands - Pinot Grigio
Top Brands - Chardonnay
The Right White Wine Pick
And there you have it, folks – everything you need to know about chardonnay vs pinot grigio. Time to shop your new favourite white wine(s). Better take the whole experience up a notch and serve them with their perfect food pairings. Don’t forget to keep trying and tasting, to find the best white wines for you. Cheers to that!