Is Chardonnay Sweet Or Dry? (Sweetness Levels, Factors Affecting It)

by Anthony Zhang

Wondering if Chardonnay is dry or sweet?

It is widely produced as a dry wine. And, unlike Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio grapes, the Chardonnay grape variety is naturally neutral and takes its flavor from the terroir and winemaking techniques.

But, is Chardonnay always a dry wine?

In this article, we’ll explore the different sweetness levels of white wine, and get a quick answer to “Is Chardonnay Sweet or dry.”

We’ll also discover the factors that affect its sweetness, how to use a dry Chard for cooking, and compare its sweetness level with other famous wines.

Is Chardonnay Always A Dry Wine?

Chardonnay wines widely fall into the dry wine category. One of the most well-known Chardonnays, Chablis, is one of the driest white wines.

However, you can also find some sweeter Chardonnay wine styles like demi-sec sparkling wine.

Typically, the dryness of the wine depends on how long it ferments. If the fermentation takes place for a long time, the yeast eats up most of the grape juice sugar, converting it into alcohol and reducing the sweetness level of the wine.

However, just because it has low sugar levels doesn’t mean it would taste dry. Some factors can give a wine an “illusion” of sweetness.

That’s why even a seasoned wine drinker could struggle to figure out the sweetness of their Chard!

Before we move on, here's a quick breakdown of the different white wine sweetness levels:

Bone Dry: Less than 1g of residual sugar per liter
Dry: Less than 10g of residual sugar per liter
Off-Dry: 10g-35g of residual sugar per liter
Sweet: 35g-120g of residual sugar per liter
Very Sweet: More than 120g of residual sugar per liter

Factors That Affect The Sweetness Levels Of Chardonnay

Here are the four significant factors that affect the sweetness Of Chardonnay:

Terroir
Time of Harvest
Winemaking Techniques
Serving Temperature

A. Terroir

The Chardonnay grape variety takes the nuances from its terroir. So, Chardonnay wines from different regions will taste different.

Cool climate Chardonnay wines are more acidic and lighter-bodied with more robust citrus or pomaceous fruit flavor and minerality. It gives them a refreshing tinge on the tongue, making them taste dry.

Some cool climate Chardonnay regions include Burgundy, Champagne, Sonoma Coast, Willamette Valley, Tasmania, New Zealand, Northern Italy, Germany, Austria, and Chile.

Warm climate Chardonnay has high alcohol (ABV), subtle acidity, a fuller body, and a bold tropical fruit flavor like guava, peach, pineapple, passionfruit, banana, or mango. That’s why they often give an illusion of sweetness.

Warm climate Chardonnay hails from Southern Italy, South Africa, South Australia, Spain, and California.

B. Time Of Harvest

Depending on when the grape bunches are harvested, the wine can be dry or sweet.

If the grape stays on the wine long, the grape juice concentrates, increasing the sugar content and reducing the acidity.

An early-harvest Chardonnay has higher acidity and low sugar, appearing more dry.

C. Winemaking Techniques

One of the most critical factors that affect the tasting notes of the wine is the fermentation and aging process.

There are two types of Chardonnay wine styles:

Oaked Chardonnay(fermented and aged in oak barrel) packs an oaky, buttery flavor and creamy palate. They also have an intense tropical fruit aroma of pineapple, mango, and papaya, often perceived as “sweet” by a wine drinker.

That’s why many wine lovers believe that dry Chardonnay from Southern Australia, South Africa, Napa Valley, Burgundy, and Puglia taste slightly sweet.

Unoaked Chardonnay(fermented in stainless steel tanks) are crisper and have a citrus aroma and brighter acidity. The acidity often comes off as drying on the palate, labeling them dry.

The famous unoaked Chardonnay wines are produced in Western Australia, Chablis, Chile, and Oregon's Willamette Valley.

Some winemakers perform malolactic fermentation for their Chardonnay wine. Malolactic fermentation adds a creamy texture and toasty bread notes to the wine.

Also, a winemaker can add sweeteners in their mass-produced wines to compensate for low-quality wine grapes or extend the wine's shelf life by adding preservatives like sulfites.

It can also add a sharp, sweet flavor to this white wine, which is not very appealing.

D. Serving Temperature

Chardonnay wine is usually served chilled to stop the flavors from being muddled and prevent the alcohol from making the wine taste sweeter.

So, serve your Chardonnay at 10oC-12°C in a white wine glass with roast chicken or rich fish.

While a dry Chardonnay is an excellent wine for drinking, it can also add complexity to your favorite dishes!

Dry Chardonnay: A Perfect Cooking Wine

A dry, unoaked Chardonnay wine with high acidity can add life to savory Asian dishes.

On the other hand, oaked Chardonnay can add a creamy texture and subtle sweetness to your dishes. Use oaked Chardonnay for seafood and creamy pasta.

Or, replace it with Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris), Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, or Chenin Blanc.

Quick Tip: Cooking Chardonnay usually burns the subtle nuances, and the wine will only add the dominant notes to your dish. That’s why a $20-$30 dry white wine will be perfect for cooking.

Now for the burning question:

Is Chardonnay Dry Or Sweet Compared To Other Popular Wines?

Here’s a quick comparison:

Sauvignon Blanc: Compared to Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc wines are crisper, more acidic, and dry on the palate. This dry white wine also has a more herbaceous "green" flavor.

Pinot Grigio Wine: Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris is also commonly found in a dry style. It is aged in stainless steel tanks, giving it a drier taste. Also, Italian Pinot Grigio wine has higher acidity, while the French Pinot Gris typically has softer acidity and an oily mouthfeel.

Moscato Wine: Moscato is a typically sweet wine and is less creamy than Chardonnay. It is also used to make ice wine - a dessert wine style.

Riesling Wine: Riesling wines are widely produced as a sweet white wine style. However, there are also some dry examples.

Treat Yourself With A Delectable Chardonnay!

Chardonnay, oaked or unoaked, is a unique dry white wine that has balanced fruity and buttery (oaked Chardonnay) notes.

Also, some high-end Chardonnay wines like Chablis make a great addition to your wine cellar.

Visit the Vinovest website and discover how you can effortlessly buy, store, and sell investment-worthy wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Sauternes sweet white wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, or even Pinot Noir red wine.