There seems to be a love/hate attitude surrounding Chardonnay. Fans go nuts for it, while others are ABC (anything but Chardonnay). While I think that the aggression is misplaced (I bet I could find a Chardonnay that even members of the ABC club would enjoy), today I’m catering to the lovers. There are other white grapes that produce lush, full-bodied wine you just might adore. And for our Chablis / unoaked Chardonnay people: I have options for you too!

Here are four alternate grape varietals for you to explore.

Chenin Blanc

This Loire Valley staple is known as a chameleon due to its ever-changing nature: its character is extremely influenced by winemaking practices. While it retains more acidity than Chardonnay, it shares similar lemon curd and orchard fruit notes and has a lovely camomile tea, lanolin quality. Versions aged in oak have a cosy richness that feels like slipping on your favourite sweater.

Roussanne

Best known from the Northern Rhône in France, this white grape produces wines that have a silky, full-bodied texture. Think: white flowers, lemon, beeswax. It can age beautifully and goes well with buttery, creamy dishes. Some Australian renditions can be a bit zippier than their French counterparts, making them well-suited to those who lean towards a more acid-driven Chardonnay.

Semillon

One of Australia’s most prized grapes. For the purposes of this recommendation, we’re talking about Semillon on its own, though it’s worth noting some styles are blended with Sauvignon Blanc. Similar to Chenin Blanc’s chameleon characteristics, Semillon can take on vastly different qualities depending on how it is made. Its high acidity makes it a bit zippier than Chardonnay, especially if it’s aged in stainless steel. Many producers in the Hunter Valley take this approach. But boy, can it age! Fresh apple and crisp citrus flavours meld into a toasty, honeyed delight with some age. On the other hand, if producers choose to age it in oak, you’ll get vanilla notes and a richer texture more aligned with an oaked Chardonnay, even in a more youthful bottling.

Fiano

There are a lot of producers playing with Fiano right now in Australia, and you can see why: it’s traditionally an Italian grape varietal, so it grows well in lots of our more Mediterranean-climate areas. Fiano makes a lovely, medium-bodied white with notes of melon, pear, and a hint of nuttiness. We have several delicious renditions of Fiano in the shop.

Ok, it’s time to explore! There are plenty of styles of all of these wines, so some trial and error and compare-and-contrast tasting could be especially illuminating. Chardonnay fans, rejoice! There’s more to love in the world of wine.