Should you buy Chablis vs unoaked Chardonnay? Both wines are often featured on wine lists. Both types of wine offer an exceptional wine experience. To choose your next glass of wine, it is helpful to know the main differences between these bottles of wine.
Chablis vs Unoaked Chardonnay Flavor Profile
As a white wine, Chardonnay is a beloved varietal amongst wine lovers worldwide. However, the flavor profile of Chardonnay can vary greatly depending on the winemaking methods and region of production. For a high-level introduction, see my post on Chardonnay vs Chablis.
Chablis is a dry white wine from the Chablis Appellation in France. The cool climate of this region imparts a unique flavor profile to the wine. Chablis is typically made using 100% Chardonnay grapes, and it is known for its high acidity and mineral-driven taste. The mineral notes are often enhanced because these types of Chardonnay are aged in steel (i.e., stainless steel barrels) rather than time in oak barrels.
The taste buds can pick up notes of green apple, lemon, and sometimes a flinty (i.e., mineral taste) or smoky quality. Chablis is produced using stainless steel fermentation and aging, which helps preserve the natural flavors of the wine without using oak barrels.
On the other hand, unoaked Chardonnay from other regions can have a very different flavor profile. For example, Oaked Chardonnay (also known as oak-aged Chardonnay) is often produced in warmer climates and aged in oak barrels. This results in a wine with a fuller body and a rich, creamy taste. Oaked Chardonnay often features notes of vanilla, caramel, and sometimes a buttery quality resulting from malolactic fermentation.
However, wine lovers can expect a more refreshing taste when it comes to unoaked Chardonnay from cooler regions, such as Chablis—the lack of time on oak barrels for the natural flavors of the Chardonnay grapes to shine through. The high acidity of Chablis makes it an excellent food pairing wine, and it pairs well with seafood, salads, and cheese.
Knowing the differences between Chablis vs unoaked Chardonnay makes you stand out as a wine enthusiast. While Oaked Chardonnay may be a crowd-pleaser for those who enjoy the intense flavors of a full-bodied, creamy wine, Chablis and other high-quality wines produced using stainless steel fermentation offer a crisp and refreshing taste that is perfect for wine lovers who enjoy a dry, mineral-driven wine.
Winemaking Regions
Chablis is produced in France. Unoaked Chardonnay is produced in various wine regions worldwide, ranging from cooler regions to warmer regions such as Napa Valley, South Africa, and South America. The different regions impart unique characteristics to the wines they produce, resulting in a diverse range of flavors and aromas.
Chablis is exclusively produced in the Chablis appellation in the Burgundy wine region of France. This region is known for its cool climate, which creates ideal growing conditions for the Chardonnay grape. The soil in Chablis is particularly noteworthy, as it is composed of Kimmeridgian soil, rich in limestone and fossilized oyster shells. This unique soil type adds a distinct minerality to Chablis wines. The region is also divided into four appellations, including Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru, and Chablis Grand Cru, each with wine production regulations.
In contrast, warmer regions such as Napa Valley in California and South Africa produce unoaked Chardonnay characterized by fruit-forward notes such as apple, pear, and tropical fruit. In South Africa, unoaked Chardonnay is produced in the Stellenbosch and Walker Bay wine regions. In Napa Valley, renowned wineries such as Beringer and Cakebread Cellars produce unoaked Chardonnay with a crisp and refreshing taste.
Further south in South America, the Casablanca Valley in Chile is a well-known wine region for producing unoaked Chardonnay. The cool climate in this region is similar to that of Chablis, which results in high acidity and a distinct mineral character in the wine. Other notable wine regions for producing unoaked Chardonnay in South America include Mendoza in Argentina and Colchagua Valley in Chile.
In conclusion, while Chablis is exclusively produced in the Chablis Appellation in France, unoaked Chardonnay is produced in many wine regions worldwide, including more relaxed and warmer regions. The unique characteristics of each region, including soil type, climate, and winemaking techniques, resulting in a diverse range of flavors and aromas in Chablis and unoaked Chardonnay.
Food Pairings
Chablis and unoaked Chardonnay pair well with a range of dishes. While Chablis is a dry white wine produced exclusively in the Chablis Appellation in France, unoaked Chardonnay can be found in various regions worldwide.
Chablis Food Pairings
Chablis is an excellent food pairing wine due to its high acidity, minerality, and dryness. It pairs well with a variety of dishes that are light and fresh. Here are some food pairing suggestions for Chablis:
- Seafood – Chablis pairs exceptionally well with seafood dishes such as oysters, shrimp, and crab cakes. The wine’s mineral-driven taste and high acidity helps cut through the seafood’s richness, resulting in a refreshing and balanced experience.
- Salads – The crisp acidity of Chablis makes it a perfect pairing for light salads, such as Caesar salads or mixed greens with vinaigrette dressing. The wine’s acidity complements the tanginess of the dressing and the freshness of the greens.
- Cheese – Chablis pairs well with various kinds of cheese, including goat cheese, feta, and parmesan. The wine’s acidity helps balance the cheese’s richness, resulting in a well-rounded flavor experience. You can even enjoy it with a cheese sandwich!
Unoaked Chardonnay Food Pairings
Unoaked Chardonnay offers a different flavor profile than Chablis due to its fruit-forward notes and lack of oak influence. Here are some food pairing suggestions for unoaked Chardonnay:
- Poultry – Unoaked Chardonnay pairs well with roasted or grilled poultry dishes such as chicken or turkey. The wine’s fruit-forward notes complement the savory flavors of the meat, resulting in a harmonious flavor experience.
- Pasta – Unoaked Chardonnay pairs well with pasta dishes, particularly those with creamy or buttery sauces. The wine’s acidity helps to cut through the sauce’s richness, resulting in a balanced and satisfying flavor experience.
- Vegetarian Dishes – Unoaked Chardonnay pairs well with vegetarian dishes such as roasted vegetables, quiches, and lasagnas. The wine’s fruit-forward notes complement the flavors of the vegetables, resulting in a refreshing and balanced flavor experience.
Chablis and unoaked Chardonnay offer unique food pairing opportunities due to their flavor profiles. Chablis pairs well with light and fresh seafood and salads, while unoaked Chardonnay pairs well with roasted or grilled poultry, pasta, and vegetarian dishes. Regardless of the type of dish, a glass of Chablis or unoaked Chardonnay will elevate the dining experience.
Sweet vs Dry Wine: Comparing Chablis and Unoaked Chardonnay
Chablis vs unoaked Chardonnay are two popular styles of white wine that are often compared due to their similarities. However, there are notable differences between the two, including sweetness level. Chablis generally tends to be drier and less sweet than unoaked Chardonnay.
Chablis is a white wine produced in the Burgundy region of France. It is made from the Chardonnay grape, but the region’s cool climate and mineral-rich soil give it a distinct flavor profile. Chablis is known for its high acidity, crispness, and minerality, with little to no oak influence. As a result, Chablis is typically bone dry with a low level of sweetness.
On the other hand, unoaked Chardonnay is made from the same grape variety, but is produced in a different style. Unoaked Chardonnay is fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks or neutral barrels, without any oak influence. This style of Chardonnay is known for its bright fruit flavors, high acidity, and crispness but can have a slightly higher level of sweetness than Chablis due to the lack of oak influence.
Chablis vs Unoaked Chardonnay Final Thoughts
Comparing Chablis to unoaked Chardonnay is an uneven comparison. Chablis comes from a specific wine region of Burgundy, France. In contrast, unoaked Chardonnay wines can be made anywhere worldwide. For some wine insiders, it’s similar to the distinction between the Champagne wine region vs sparkling wines made in other areas.
