Similarities of Chardonnay & Pinot Grigio
Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio originated in the Burgundy region of France. Both wines have a bigger body compared to other types of white wine with smooth finishes. Aside from both wines being dry, medium to full bodied white wines, this is where the similarities end. While both are very popular, they could not be more different.
Differences of Chardonnay & Pinot Grigio
Although both wines come from the same region, the grapes themselves are different. Chardonnay grapes have green skin, whereas the Pinot Grigio grapes are a blue-gray in color. The method for turning these grapes into wine is also vastly different. Chardonnay is primarily made using oak barrel fermentation, which softens the acidity and gives the wine its trademark buttery quality. Pinot Grigio is fermented in cement vats or stainless-steel tanks which gives the wine a lighter body and preserves the natural acidity.
Unlike most white wines, Chardonnay has the potential to improve with age and can be cellared for up to 10 years with proper storage. Pinot Grigio, on the other hand, is a wine that is meant to be drunk young and will not hold well over time.
How to Distinguish Between Chardonnay & Pinot Grigio
Chardonnay is one of the easiest wines to identify with its rich, golden color and velvet, buttery texture. You will find fruit notes of yellow apple, pear, and vanilla, and may even find some residual sugar in Chardonnay that is produced in warmer climates. It is full bodied and the oak barrel fermentation also provides more tannins than what you would typically find in a white wine.
Pinot Grigio is light and crisp with floral aromatics. It can have a bit of sweetness due to residual sugars, but is most often very dry with bright, refreshing acidity. Citrus is going to be the primary flavor, but you also find notes of peach, green apple, and pear.
Chardonnay & Pinot Grigio Comparison Chart
| Characteristic | Chardonnay | Pinot Grigio |
| Sweetness | Dry | Dry |
| Acidity | Medium | High |
| Tannins | Low | Low |
| Body | Full | Light |
| Tasting Notes | Yellow apple, pineapple, vanilla, butter | Lemon, pear, lime, green apple |
| Popularity | 74,000 Monthly Searches | 90,500 Monthly Searches |
| Calories Per Glass | 123 | 121 |
| ABV % | 13.5 – 14.5 | 12.5 – 13.5 |
Pairing Food With Chardonnay & Pinot Grigio
Both Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio have excellent potential for food pairing.
Seafood is an excellent companion with Pinot Grigio. Other dishes like salad, light chicken entrees, and pastas with cream sauces also pair well with Pinot Grigio. Its light body and high acidity also make it a great partner with spicy or fried foods as the acidity cools the palate from spice and cuts through the fat and grease in fried dishes.
Chardonnay is great with rich, creamy, buttery dishes and brings out the flavor in roasted meats like chicken, turkey, or pork. It also does well with breads and pasta, particularly those pasta dishes with cream-based sauces, but be sure to avoid pairing Chardonnay with tomato-based sauces as the two flavors will clash. This wine can also provide great balance to meatier fish, such as salmon or swordfish.
Pairing Wine With Pinot Grigio
