Chardonnay: Dry or Sweet? Everything You Need to Know to Choose Well

Chardonnay is one of the most well-known white grape varieties in the world. It's everywhere: from Burgundy vineyards to the sunny hills of California, and it can adapt to all styles. But when we talk about Chardonnay, one question often comes up: does it produce dry or sweet wines? If you have doubts or simply want to better understand what's in your glass, you're in the right place!

What Exactly is a Dry or Sweet White Wine?

Before talking about Chardonnay, let's quickly clarify what differentiates a dry wine from a sweet one. It's all about residual sugar, meaning the natural sugar that remains after fermentation. Here are the main categories:

Dry wine: almost no sugar (less than 4 g/L). It's fresh, lively, and straightforward.

Semi-dry wine: a bit more sugar (4 to 12 g/L), but still light.
Medium-sweet wine: here you start to taste the sweetness (12 to 45 g/L). Ripe fruits, honey... yum!

Sweet wine: definitely sweet (more than 45 g/L), perfect for desserts or indulgent moments.

Chardonnay: Dry or Sweet, Both are Possible

The Chardonnay grape variety is a true chameleon. It can produce dry white wines perfect for aperitifs or meals, but also sweet wines that are richer and more indulgent. It all depends on how it's made:

Dry style: this is the most common. Think Burgundy wines like Chablis, where freshness, minerality, and finesse are prioritized.

Sweet style: this is rarer, but some winemakers produce sweet Chardonnays using overripe grapes or late harvest. This style is found in some sunny or specific regions.

In short, everything is possible, but if we had to bet, we'd say that most Chardonnays you'll encounter will be dry.

Watch Out for Tricks: When a Dry Chardonnay Seems Sweet

Sometimes a dry Chardonnay can be perceived as sweet. Why? Because certain factors affect texture and aromas, even without residual sugar.

Here are the main ones:

1. Climate
Chardonnays produced in warm regions, like California or McLaren Vale in Australia, often develop tropical fruit aromas (mango, pineapple). This roundness can give the impression of a sweet wine, even if it's dry.

2. Winemaking Techniques

• Malolactic fermentation: this process reduces acidity and gives buttery or milky aromas (yum, that brioche character!)
• Lees aging: letting the wine stay in contact with dead yeasts adds body, roundness, and pastry notes
• Oak barrels: aging in barrels = vanilla, toasted notes, sometimes slightly caramelized. This can create an illusion of sweetness.

Moral of the story: just because a Chardonnay is round and indulgent doesn't mean it's necessarily sweet. It can be completely dry while playing with your taste buds.

Dry or Sweet Chardonnay: How to Choose Well?

The key question is: what do you like? And for what occasion?

• If you're looking for fresh wines: go for a dry Chardonnay, especially those from cool climates (Chablis, Champagne)
• If you like round and rich wines: choose a dry Chardonnay aged in barrels or from warm regions (Australian, Californian, or Argentinian wine). Perfect for lovers of buttery or vanilla flavors
• If you love sweet wines: go for a sweet Chardonnay, even though it's rarer. Ideal for accompanying dessert or a sweet break

Chardonnay, a Grape Variety That Adapts to Everything

Whether you're a fan of dry or sweet wines, the Chardonnay grape variety always has something to offer. It can produce a mineral and lively wine, rich and round, or even quite sweet depending on how it's made. The key is to read the labels carefully and dare to ask your wine merchant for advice to find the style that suits you. We're here to help you! 😊