Like any kind of food and wine pairing, one can't expect all Chardonnay wines to go with a certain dessert. The style of the wine is the key. We need to understand the various styles of Chardonnay in order to discover what kinds of desserts can be matched with them. At Just Wines, we make it easy to explore dessert-friendly wines that elevate your dining experience.

Different Types Of Chardonnay Wine

Different resources on food and wine pairing, be it niche websites or guides on wine, classify this varietal differently, making the topic a confusing one. For much-needed simplicity, we are leaving out any sparkling wines from our classification (since that’s an entirely different style). Broadly speaking, dry Chardonnay wines can be divided into two categories:

Not just Chardonnay — explore a wide range of white wine options ideal for both sipping and dessert matching.

Oaked Chardonnay: Whenever you read about a Chardy that’s been described as buttery, big or rich, this is the head it falls under. (For those who are curious, the butter flavour comes either from malolactic fermentation, or maturation in ‘new Oak’.) Some would have similar apple pie or custard tart characters. Not all drinks that have undergone oak ageing will show a butter-like flavour, however. (Wines can be lightly oaked, too!) The palate has a creamy texture. This creaminess, in some cases, also features in the flavours along with the texture, and hence you may find crème brûlée going through tasting notes. Australia is famous for this oaked style of Chardonnay.

Unoaked Chardonnay: Contrary to the previous category, these drinks are light and crisp. Since there is no oak ageing, they boast of a lively acidity, unless they undergo malolactic fermentation, which softens the acid layer. (Refer to the tasting notes of your wine for clarity.) If yours has undergone ML fermentation, you can once again expect butter and cream-like characteristics, even though it hasn't spent time in oak. That said, the unoaked style of Chardonnay is much lighter than the oaked. While Oz is known for oak-aged Chardonnay wine, this more delicate style is probably more popular in the island nation as of today.

Now that you’re familiar with the different types of Chardonnay wines and the unique experiences they offer, let’s explore how beautifully they pair with sweet dishes. To make it easier for you, we’ve also included some of our top picks so you can buy Chardonnay wine online and enjoy these pairings right away!

Matching Dessert And Chardonnay

1. Orange Soufflé

An airy yet rich dessert, perfumed and flavoured with freshly grated orange zest & juice of sweet oranges, served hot! The citrusy profile of the bake goes nicely with the fresh lemon aroma/ grapefruit acidity/ similar elements in the drink. Pair with a Chardonnay dessert wine if you are adventurous!  Make sure you use both oranges & lemons in the soufflé for an even better experience!

Our Top Pick for Chardonnay

Why this Pairing Works?

The delicate sweetness of this dessert-style Chardonnay works exceptionally great with the airy texture and citrussy  flavours of orange soufflé. The honeyed hints match well with the tangy and zesty orange flavour, forming a juicy and nice balance of fruit and crispness in every bite.

2. Rice Pudding

While this creamy & comforting preparation, with a sweet tone of vanilla, is a great match with Chardonnay, especially if served with tropical fruit, we strongly recommend’ Zafrani Kheer. This Indo-Pakistani version is cooked with saffron & cut almonds - both go beautifully with the booze! Go for an oaky, ‘fruit-forward’ Chardonnay.

Our Top Pick for Chardonnay

Why this Pairing Works?

A fruity Chardonnay is just what makes things right. The bright, apple and pear notes  make the flavours brighter and creamy when paired with rice pudding. The white wines’ refreshing acidity cuts through the creaminess, while the wine’s juicy fruitiness reflects the best of the dessert’s subtle sweetness, creating a soothing blend of comfort and freshness.

3. Strawberry Cobbler

Bright & slightly tart strawberries are baked till they are part syrup, part soft fruit, topped with a cookie-like crust! Go a ‘little’ easy on the sugar, and the vibrancy & fruitiness of strawberries can be matched to an unoaked Chardy!

Our Top Pick for Chardonnay

Why this Pairing Works?

The bright, juicy flavours of strawberries in cobbler are enhanced by the crisp, clean profile of unoaked Chardonnay, which has notes of citrus and green apples. The buttery crust and its zesty acidity create a delightful contrast that keeps the pairing light but fulfilling.

4. Peaches & Cream Bars

A buttery, crumbly, slightly salty ‘shortbread’ base & topping contrast against the generously piled, creamy and fruity filling! Like with any dish, sweet or savoury, the butter brings out the best in Chardonnay. Use an echoing wine described as “buttery”, of course!

Our Top Pick for Chardonnay

Why this Pairing Works?

The decadent richness of peaches and cream bars is reflected in this buttery Chardonnay's creamy texture and stone fruit undertones. The sweet profile and the wine's well-balanced, velvety mouthfeel is a match made in heaven, and the peachy undertones enhance the fruity flavours for a rich combination.

5. Mango Cupcakes

Simple but elegant vanilla-scented cake crowned by a piping of delightful mango buttercream/ cooling whipped cream & slices of fresh mango! Both butter & cream are best friends with Chardonnay, while the vanilla in the wine (Check tasting notes!) brings out the best of it in the cake!

Our Top Pick for Chardonnay

Why this Pairing Works?

Mango cupcakes' tropical sweetness is best when paired with a Chardonnay that offers subtle oak and vanilla notes. The wine's smooth, creamy character complements the cupcake's velvety texture, and its vanilla elevates the dessert's warmth, making for a well-balanced, dessert-friendly combination.

For dessert lovers who like their Chardonnay sweet and want to stock up for their next dinner party, you can easily buy white wine online and choose from a variety of Chardonnay styles to satisfy your sweet tooth.  

Whether you prefer oaked or unoaked styles, our curated selection of Chardonnay wine
 offers something to suit every dessert pairing.

Thinking that you can’t enjoy a Chardonnay dessert pairing because the thought of making and serving a perfect orange soufflé in an orange is daunting? No worries - get a tub of Salted Caramel Ice Cream and make an elegant match with an oaked, rich Chardy! With the wine mimicking the butteriness of the caramel bits and the richness of the dessert, your party will be remembered by guests for years to come!

Can’t decide which white to try? A wine advent calendar offers a daily tasting surprise — including dessert-perfect whites.