On one hand, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grapes couldn’t be more different, at least in how they’re commonly expressed and popularly understood. Chardonnay is a suave charmer, layered in smooth textures and warm flavors kissed with oak, with comfort as its calling card. Sauvignon Blanc is a brisk refresher, zesty in acidity, crisp on the tongue and bright in grassy, tropical flavors that enliven the palate.
On the other hand, these two contenders are remarkably similar.
Both emerged from somewhat mysterious origins in France, where they rose to recognition as noble grape varieties. They then traveled the world to almost every wine region, where they’re able to reflect microclimates like few other varieties. And they’re simultaneously shapeshifters, both Sauv Blanc and Chard willfully bending toward whatever style a winemaker desires, from the sharp edges enabled by stainless tanks to the round curves cultivated by oak aging.
Same, Same But Different
Thanks to such similarities, the arguments levied when vintners are challenged to elevate one over the other tend to echo a bit.
“No other grape variety makes as diverse a set of styles of wines as Chardonnay, and no other variety can be planted in such a diverse set of regions and climates as Chardonnay and still make good wine,” asserts Richie Allen, who’s been crafting Chardonnay (plus a good amount of Sauvignon Blanc) for Rombauer Vineyards for more than 25 years. “You can plant it anywhere in almost any soil type and it always makes a wine that
This Article was originally published on Wine Enthusiast
