Sauvignon Blanc Vs Chardonnay: Which Is Better For Beginners?

For beginner wine drinkers, it may feel daunting when asked to choose a white wine. You can't go wrong with one of two popular choices, sauvignon blanc or chardonnay. However, both have their own distinct highlights, which is better for beginners? To help you decide, we consulted David Kravitz, the beverage director for The Group Hospitality. "If high acidity, tart citrus and grassiness appeals to you, sauvignon blanc is a great option," he states. "If you prefer a rounder wine with tree fruits such as apples and pears, head straight to chardonnay."

In the end, Kravitz feels that some level of subjectivity is at play. "Every drinking is so different, it's really up to their individual palate," he adds. What can also help you decide is becoming familiar with the grapes — sauvignon blanc vs chardonnay — and how and where the wines are made. For example, South Africa Sauvignon Blanc is usually bolder in taste. Côte d'Or Chardonnay is richer and more oaky than the fruit-forward ones made in California.

For those looking for specific bottles of either sauvignon blanc or chardonnay, Kravitz provided his recommendations. "If you are going to stay domestic, I like Honig's Sauvignon Blanc from Napa or Résonance Chardonnay from Willamette Valley," Kravitz reveals. "Both of these are approachable introductions to their respective varieties and are a good example of their distinctive styles." Additionally, we recommend checking out our guide to chardonnay for beginners, plus our list of the 10 best sauvignon blancs to try.

While dining out, you may also want to consider what you're ordering before choosing either sauvignon blanc or chardonnay. Since sauvignon blanc has bright, citrusy, and tart notes, as Kravitz explains, reach for a bottle or glass when your main dish is seafood. After all, seafood and lemon have been paired for centuries, and there's good reason for this. Lemon and citrus notes brighten, freshen, and temper fishiness, making seafood dishes tastier.

But let's say you're going with a creamy or butter dish, like fettuccine Alfredo. This is when you'd want to pair the meal with a glass or bottle of chardonnay, which is rounder and fuller than sauvignon blanc. Chardonnay is also known for its buttery mouthfeel and creamy texture, which works well when paired with a creamy, rich dinner entrée.

Ultimately, as Kravitz points out, there's really no wrong answer when choosing between sauvignon blanc and chardonnay for white wine beginners. It's a matter of taste and personal preference. Once you're no longer a beginner, be sure to learn more about every major type of white wine to expand your palate.