What's the difference between a Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio?!
What's the difference between a Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio?
I know these are all white wines from white grapes but what are the major differences between them?
Answers:
Actually, Sauv Blanc originates from Bordeaux. Burgundy is Chardonnay.
Traditionally, when you think Bordeau White, it's a Sauv Blanc grape. But, right now, some of the top inexpensive producers of Sauv Blanc are in New Zealand. The wines tend to be dry, crisp, and some can be quite citrusy. One of my summer wines this year will be a Marlborough Sauv Blanc. (Kim Crawford 2006)
Chardonnay is, as I said, a major Burgundy grape. It is used to make Champagne and obviously, is used as a still wine. The flavours of Chardonnay vary greatly, but many are grassy, oaky, and sometimes even vanilla-y. It can be one of the heavier white wines and can go with a wide array of foods. A icely oaked but fresh Chardonnay was my summer wine two years ago. (Maryhill Reserve Chardonnay)
Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris tends to be light and crisp. The grapes can be any colour from whitish green to bluish to nearly black. It can be fruity, but is not traditionally sweet (in the US anyway). German and French Pinot Gris may be slightly sweeter - but not like a sweet Viognier or Cheap Gerwurz sweet. One of my first summer wines was Duck Pond Pinot Gris. Goes down easy and costs very little.
Hope this helps! : )
They're different grapes! Pinot grigio is from a mutant variety (subspecies) of the pinot noir grape. It's actually kinda pinkish, but called grigio/gris/grey because it's halfway between pinot blanc (white) and pinot noir (black). Chardonnay is its own grape. And sauvignon blanc is a green grape from Burgundy (different from cabernet sauvignon).
but overall, they're Vitis vinifera just different varieties.
In simple terms...
chardonnay is buttery or oakey...approx...11% alcohol
sauvignon blanc...similar to chardonnay, but, dryer...and approx 12.5% alcohol
pinot grigio..is alittle sweet, and light.. 8% alcohol
they are all grown from different white grapes. though as somebody else mentioned Pinot Grigio is related to the Pinot Noir grape.
I find Chardonnay to be the heaviest tasting of the three. It is generally very buttery, almost butterscotch like, It also can have a nutty, citrus type taste. An can be very oaky which may or may not be a good thing. I find good chardonnay to be very hard to find. A lot of wineries put too much oak flavor.
Sauvignon Blanc is a little bit lighter in flavor. Very citrusy, lemon, grassy flavor. It has more herbal and mineral taste to me than a chardonnay. I live off Sauv Blanc in the summer time. It goes very well with food. Sauv Blanc from New Zealand is the best.
Pinot Grigio is the lightest of the three. Though to me it is very similar to a Sauv Blanc. It is also the "sweetest" of the three. But I would not call it a sweet wine. IT has a very similar flavor profile to Sauv Blanc. herb, citrus, even peppery like arugula.
Chardonnay
This popular dry white wine is more full bodied than other white wines. Chardonnay has aromas of fruits and acidity. The aroma typically has flavors of lemon or grapefruit. Fermentation in new oak barrels results in a rich, buttery taste often described as toastiness, vanilla, apple, nutty, or toffee. Chardonnays aged in French oak result in a milder flavor than those aged in American oak.
Food and Wine Pairing: Chardonnay goes well with chicken, seafood, and fish.
Origin: Chardonnay is one of the types of wine that originated from the Burgundy area of France. There are many world-class Chardonnays being produced in California.
Pinot Grigio is light and crispy with almond, lemon, and vanilla flavors. These wines are also called Pinot Gris.
Food and Wine Pairing: This type of wine goes well with seafood and salmon.
Origin: Pinot Grigio originated in Burgandy long ago but is often considered an Italian wine. The grapes prefer a cold climate, which is why Oregon is able to produce delicious Pinot Grigio.
Lighter than Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc usually has a grassy citrus aroma. Flavors range from apple, pear, green tea, limes and freshly mowed grass. You can often detect a little smokiness. California Sauvignon Blancs sometimes have a melon flavor. This is a crisp light wine with a strong acid finish. It is also called Fume Blanc.American Sauvignon Blanc tends to be grassier than those produced in New Zealand.
Food and Wine Pairing: Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with salads, poultry, seafood, and cheese.
Origin: Sauvignon Blanc is one of the types of wine that originated from France. Fabulous Sauvignon Blanc is currently being produced in New Zealand, South Africa, California, and Washington as well.
Good advice thus far from Red October, Lisa & Kathy but no mention of unoaked Chardonnay ie: Chablis - apple, pear, lemon, and with a nice streak of minerality that lends a clean crisp finish. Older vintages will show some nutty flavours. Great with shellfish particularily oysters.
Italian Pinot Grigio is big in the US but will never be confused with great wine but Oregon or Alsace Pinot Gris...that's a different story...also nice P. Gris coming out of Okanogan Valley in B.C.