Could not agree more with your sentiment and Agnes’ video. You can probably find a Chardonnay that you like (try some of the natural pairings) but explore. So many interesting wines…
If you want to try an oaked riesling, you should get Von Winning's wines. There's a lot of people who don't like that style, but I think it's nice to have something differet sometimes.
Certain critics highly scored heavily oaked an super malo/buttery versions of chardonnay. So many winemakers followed that formula and a stigma was born. It's nice to see that going away and more winemakers embracing less of both and making balanced chardonnays where you can actually distinguish the fruit. For my own personal tastes I'd add Viognier for it's floral qualities, and Roussanne that's made texturally with the sacrifice to higher acidity.
Exactly, even if You do not like Chardonnay there are wines made of Chardonnay that You will absolutely love. That is why I invite people to stay open minded. ☺️
I started out with Chardonnay decades ago and then gave up on it. But in the last couple of years, I’ve been revisiting and finding Chardonnay in neutral Oak to be fruity and bright and fresh. I have found new examples of it that I do enjoy. I just finished a bottle of pecorino last night. That was amazing. I recently had a Chenin Blanc that was also quite good. And then there’s Viognier. So many Great white wines so little time. Thanks for the video it was instructed.
Yes, indeed, it seems that wine world cannot escape the means of fashion as well. There was a time when oak was important, and it seemed that more is better. Now we are going to the opposite direction. 🙏🏻
The best white wine I have ever tried was a bottle of Corton-Charlemagne, so my relationship with Chardonnay is obvious :) . I also agree with option 5. I have nothing against the four other mentioned grapes, which are also beautiful and able to produce excellent wines, but when we are dealing with the most widely planted white wine grape in the world, it's more about region/growing area and wine making technique than the variety itself
I've just recently discovered Gewürztraminer from Südtirol (Meran and St. Michael-Eppan so far), great fresher expression of the variety. I like Chardonnay, I don't like vanilla and butter. At the moment most from Germany and Northern Italy are quite nice.
I never understood the ABC movement- how could you not any of the Chardonnay from Champagne, Chablis, Cote d'Or White Burgundy, California, and Oregon??? But this a great video nonetheless and features many fantastic wines- I love them all! And I enjoyed this video drinking a glass of chardonnay!
I don’t think ABC movement started as a “hate” for Chardonnay. Chardonnay just became a synonym to white wine and people wanted to explore more. So, I don’t judge. 🤷♀️ 😄 However, there are people who declare that they don’t like Chardonnay and this video was made for them. 🥂
Dear Agnes After watching this video i realize how lucky i am living in Italy in terms of wine bio diversity. In fact part fron albarinho we have all 9h them . Chardonnay Riesling Sauvignon gewurtzstraminer and voigner too. Not to mention autoctone grapes That I have not space to mention. And then we have the reds and you know some of them 😉😀 bye
Absolutely true, Italy has some of the most exciting native grape varieties in the world. And also makes truly great international grape variety examples. 🙌
🎉 Great Chardonnay alternatives Agnese. Your vinous 411 is always so helpful in my wine 🍷 journey. Im so glad you're guiding me on the wine exploration path, with your great videos.❤ 😊
I agree, it is pretty good alternative, but I was looking at wines that are not similar to Chardonnay. 😉 if we don’t like Chardonnay there is no need to look for alternatives. 😅
Hi Agnes, I love Chardonnay in all the ways! Said that I like to change wine sort a lot so..., in Italy we have a lot grape varieties and a lot of choices...Verdicchio, Cataratto, Inzolia, etc; etc. thank God. Neverless I like a lot Chenin Blanc from South Africa. Cheers!!!
Living in Florida year around we drink lots of ✨️ sparkling, white wines and roses At the moment I'm drinking lots of Ribolla Gialla from Friuli, Shesh i Bardhë from Albania, Assyrtiko from Santorini, Corsican Vermentinu, Sicilian Catarratto and of course White CDP's of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Viognier and Roussanne
I started out on my wine journey in the ABC camp, but as I and my tastes have matured I have moved out of it. It is responsible for some of the world's greatest wines, both still and sparkling. I find that I like middle of the road Chardonnays, such as ones from the Cote Chalonnaise, Maconnais, Germany, Hungary, Alto Adige, etc. Blanc de Blancs is truly amazing, both champagne and other traditional method sparkling wines from Chardonnay. I think if someone can't handle or doesn't like Chardonnay, it could be because they drank a mass produced plonk that was "fixed" by oak staves or chips, overcropped and over extracted. As quality Chardonnay from any region from the world should have balance, fruit, acidity and some light toast notes. My suggestion is to try different regions and don't make blanket statements about a varietal before you try all of it's iterations. Great video and introduction to other great white varietals, my only comment would be that other German wine regions such as the Rheingau, Rheinhessen, the Pfalz and Nahe should mentioned when talking about great Chardonnay. Cheers Agnese
Nice concept for a video! Usually things are the opposite ("similar alternatives to this"); it's a fresh concept no pun intended. And of course I totally agree with the choices.
I’m surprised that you didn’t include Chenin Blanc or Roussanne. Those are perfect alternatives with their waxy texture. I do like Chardonnay from time to time though I mainly prefer Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux if it has a large percentage of Semillion.
In my view, they can be very similar to Chardonnay, in blind tastings Chenin is very often mixed with Chardonnay, and this was a video that was exploring wines that were not. 😉
I'm not a big fan of Chard, except in sparkling wines, but I do enjoy all the alternatives you mentioned, plus one I think I got from another vid of yours, Rousanne. Cheers!
For me Roussanne shows a lot of similarities tot Chardonnay, which is why I excluded it from this list. Maybe I should make a video on great alternatives to Chardonnay? 🤔🤔🤔
Armenia Wine Tariri White Dry offers a refined and unique experience rooted in the rich traditions of the Armavir wine region in Armenia. This exquisite white wine is a masterful blend of three grape varieties: Kangun (50%), Colombard (25%), and Muscat Ottonel (25%). It is a composition rarely encountered,
I try Chardonnay often, because my wife pretty much prefers it. I buy it for her, so I try it. If oaky and buttery I don't buy it a second time, as even Kathy likes it fresher tasting. Since its easier to get the domestic ones, I've found a number of domestic producers that minimize or avoid old charred oak. You didn't mention Pinot Gris, which I enjoy with seafoods, along w Gavi and Sancerre.
White Burgundy, including Chablis, is probably my favourite white wine, closely followed by Alsace riesling and Rhone Valley viognier. Agree about albarino but also enjoy NZ chardonnay, SA chenin blanc, Alsace pinot gris, some Piedmont whites, and white Rioja. But gewurtztraminer: definitely not. I also enjoy some southern Italian whites, such as fiano. But nothing beats a white Burgundy from a decent year: I am currently enjoying the 2014s.
Stopped drinking chardonnay in the 1990's when oak took over the wine in Australia. These days I just love NZ sauv blanc, particularly Cloudy Bay, but when in Europe where we travel every year, I can't wait to get to NE Italy and Korcula. Pinot Grigio, here I come!! However, I've taken on board your suggestion..... give chardonnay another chance. We'll be in France in August and will give it a go... any (reasonable) recommendations?
If You particularly don’t like oak - Chablis would be the natural choice, one of my top producers who doesn’t use oak throughout his wines is Louis Michel. However, I think Oak nowadays plays smaller role in winemaking than it used to. Less new oak is used, less aged in oak, etc. hopefully You will find wines that You enjoy. ☺️
You immediately said the thing I was thinking. Chardonnay is so many things I don't see how one can dismiss the grape in general.
True! 😌
Could not agree more with your sentiment and Agnes’ video. You can probably find a Chardonnay that you like (try some of the natural pairings) but explore. So many interesting wines…
If you want to try an oaked riesling, you should get Von Winning's wines. There's a lot of people who don't like that style, but I think it's nice to have something differet sometimes.
I love this woman 🎉 and her wines 🍷🍷🍷🥂
Certain critics highly scored heavily oaked an super malo/buttery versions of chardonnay. So many winemakers followed that formula and a stigma was born. It's nice to see that going away and more winemakers embracing less of both and making balanced chardonnays where you can actually distinguish the fruit. For my own personal tastes I'd add Viognier for it's floral qualities, and Roussanne that's made texturally with the sacrifice to higher acidity.
Basicly, dont like chard, but chablis and , of course, champagne- one of the most favorite. It means , that chard is very universal sort of grape
Exactly, even if You do not like Chardonnay there are wines made of Chardonnay that You will absolutely love. That is why I invite people to stay open minded. ☺️
I started out with Chardonnay decades ago and then gave up on it. But in the last couple of years, I’ve been revisiting and finding Chardonnay in neutral Oak to be fruity and bright and fresh. I have found new examples of it that I do enjoy. I just finished a bottle of pecorino last night. That was amazing. I recently had a Chenin Blanc that was also quite good. And then there’s Viognier. So many Great white wines so little time. Thanks for the video it was instructed.
Yes, indeed, it seems that wine world cannot escape the means of fashion as well. There was a time when oak was important, and it seemed that more is better. Now we are going to the opposite direction. 🙏🏻
The best white wine I have ever tried was a bottle of Corton-Charlemagne, so my relationship with Chardonnay is obvious :) . I also agree with option 5. I have nothing against the four other mentioned grapes, which are also beautiful and able to produce excellent wines, but
when we are dealing with the most widely planted white wine grape in the world, it's more about region/growing area and wine making technique than the variety itself
Especially with Chardonnay, grape that highlights its origin and winemaking techniques so well in the wines! ☺️
You're the best Agnese! ❤❤
I’m a ABC guy. Always Buy Chardonnay…. 👍😁😎. But some great options shared. Cheers.
I like how You turned it around! 😅😂😂
Very informative video, Ty for sharing your passion.
I've just recently discovered Gewürztraminer from Südtirol (Meran and St. Michael-Eppan so far), great fresher expression of the variety. I like Chardonnay, I don't like vanilla and butter. At the moment most from Germany and Northern Italy are quite nice.
I like chardonnay, but im in love with austrian gruner veltliner.
Same here, same here! 🙌🙌🙌
So am I!
I never understood the ABC movement- how could you not any of the Chardonnay from Champagne, Chablis, Cote d'Or White Burgundy, California, and Oregon??? But this a great video nonetheless and features many fantastic wines- I love them all! And I enjoyed this video drinking a glass of chardonnay!
I don’t think ABC movement started as a “hate” for Chardonnay. Chardonnay just became a synonym to white wine and people wanted to explore more. So, I don’t judge. 🤷♀️ 😄 However, there are people who declare that they don’t like Chardonnay and this video was made for them. 🥂
Dear Agnes After watching this video i realize how lucky i am living in Italy in terms of wine bio diversity. In fact part fron albarinho we have all 9h them . Chardonnay Riesling Sauvignon gewurtzstraminer and voigner too. Not to mention autoctone grapes That I have not space to mention. And then we have the reds and you know some of them 😉😀 bye
Absolutely true, Italy has some of the most exciting native grape varieties in the world. And also makes truly great international grape variety examples. 🙌
🎉 Great Chardonnay alternatives Agnese. Your vinous 411 is always so helpful in my wine 🍷 journey. Im so glad you're guiding me on the wine exploration path, with your great videos.❤ 😊
You can also consider Arneis, pretty good alternative
I agree, it is pretty good alternative, but I was looking at wines that are not similar to Chardonnay. 😉 if we don’t like Chardonnay there is no need to look for alternatives. 😅
White burgundy any day any time including Chablis🥂
I wish I could say the same thing, however, this region is asking for prices I don’t think are reasonable anymore. 🤷♀️
Hi Agnes, I love Chardonnay in all the ways! Said that I like to change wine sort a lot so..., in Italy we have a lot grape varieties and a lot of choices...Verdicchio, Cataratto, Inzolia, etc; etc. thank God. Neverless I like a lot Chenin Blanc from South Africa. Cheers!!!
Agnese mīlēšu mūžīgi. ❤❤❤❤
Living in Florida year around we drink lots of ✨️ sparkling, white wines and roses
At the moment I'm drinking lots of Ribolla Gialla from Friuli, Shesh i Bardhë from Albania, Assyrtiko from Santorini, Corsican Vermentinu, Sicilian Catarratto and of course White CDP's of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Viognier and Roussanne
Great list You have there! 🙌🙌🙌🙌🥂 Cheers!
I started out on my wine journey in the ABC camp, but as I and my tastes have matured I have moved out of it. It is responsible for some of the world's greatest wines, both still and sparkling. I find that I like middle of the road Chardonnays, such as ones from the Cote Chalonnaise, Maconnais, Germany, Hungary, Alto Adige, etc. Blanc de Blancs is truly amazing, both champagne and other traditional method sparkling wines from Chardonnay. I think if someone can't handle or doesn't like Chardonnay, it could be because they drank a mass produced plonk that was "fixed" by oak staves or chips, overcropped and over extracted.
As quality Chardonnay from any region from the world should have balance, fruit, acidity and some light toast notes. My suggestion is to try different regions and don't make blanket statements about a varietal before you try all of it's iterations. Great video and introduction to other great white varietals, my only comment would be that other German wine regions such as the Rheingau, Rheinhessen, the Pfalz and Nahe should mentioned when talking about great Chardonnay. Cheers Agnese
I like Chardonnay from NZ and Oregon. Not too much oak, something more balanced.
I agree with both regards, some great examples I have tasted from these two areas. 🥂 Cheers! ✨
very good video!!!❤
Thank You! 🍷
Nice concept for a video! Usually things are the opposite ("similar alternatives to this"); it's a fresh concept no pun intended. And of course I totally agree with the choices.
Thank You! 🙏🏻 yes, it is the case, majority of lists will offer alternatives. 😅
I’m surprised that you didn’t include Chenin Blanc or Roussanne. Those are perfect alternatives with their waxy texture. I do like Chardonnay from time to time though I mainly prefer Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux if it has a large percentage of Semillion.
In my view, they can be very similar to Chardonnay, in blind tastings Chenin is very often mixed with Chardonnay, and this was a video that was exploring wines that were not. 😉
@@NoSediment Oh, must have read it has alternatives if you don’t like Chardonnay. My bad.
I love Albarino!😊
I'm not a big fan of Chard, except in sparkling wines, but I do enjoy all the alternatives you mentioned, plus one I think I got from another vid of yours, Rousanne. Cheers!
For me Roussanne shows a lot of similarities tot Chardonnay, which is why I excluded it from this list. Maybe I should make a video on great alternatives to Chardonnay? 🤔🤔🤔
@@NoSediment Good idea
Armenia Wine Tariri White Dry offers a refined and unique experience rooted in the rich traditions of the Armavir wine region in Armenia. This exquisite white wine is a masterful blend of three grape varieties: Kangun (50%), Colombard (25%), and Muscat Ottonel (25%). It is a composition rarely encountered,
I try Chardonnay often, because my wife pretty much prefers it. I buy it for her, so I try it. If oaky and buttery I don't buy it a second time, as even Kathy likes it fresher tasting. Since its easier to get the domestic ones, I've found a number of domestic producers that minimize or avoid old charred oak. You didn't mention Pinot Gris, which I enjoy with seafoods, along w Gavi and Sancerre.
True, I didn’t mention Pinot Gris, but I actually think it can be quite similar to Chardonnay in style. 😄
I don’t like Chardonnay.. I think something was wrong with me.. thanks a lot for this video!! 🎉 🎉
Please don’t think there is something wrong with You. 🙏🏻 Simply enjoy other wines -> those that You like and don’t listen to us, Chardonnay lovers. 😅
I enjoy, viognier, chenin blanc and pinot gris, none of which are chardonnay! :-)
White Burgundy, including Chablis, is probably my favourite white wine, closely followed by Alsace riesling and Rhone Valley viognier. Agree about albarino but also enjoy NZ chardonnay, SA chenin blanc, Alsace pinot gris, some Piedmont whites, and white Rioja. But gewurtztraminer: definitely not. I also enjoy some southern Italian whites, such as fiano. But nothing beats a white Burgundy from a decent year: I am currently enjoying the 2014s.
Stopped drinking chardonnay in the 1990's when oak took over the wine in Australia. These days I just love NZ sauv blanc, particularly Cloudy Bay, but when in Europe where we travel every year, I can't wait to get to NE Italy and Korcula. Pinot Grigio, here I come!! However, I've taken on board your suggestion..... give chardonnay another chance. We'll be in France in August and will give it a go... any (reasonable) recommendations?
If You particularly don’t like oak - Chablis would be the natural choice, one of my top producers who doesn’t use oak throughout his wines is Louis Michel. However, I think Oak nowadays plays smaller role in winemaking than it used to. Less new oak is used, less aged in oak, etc. hopefully You will find wines that You enjoy. ☺️
@@NoSediment Never a problem. I always find wines I enjoy!!!
Im traveling to Rias Baixas in July this year. Do you have any must visit wineries?
Cheers from a Chardonnay freak come Albarino lover
I am sorry for such a late reply, but unfortunately I haven’t been there yet myself. So maybe You can give me some tips Yourself?
What about Assyrtiko?
I think this is great, however some might see similarities with Chablis. 🥂
de gustibus et coloribus non est disputandum
Chardonnay. Hava a class of Domaine Ramonet and you calibrate your palate
That is beautiful wine, but one should enjoy it, not calibrate palate with it. 😂😂😂🫣