Chardonnay
Burgundy, California, Worldwide
Style varies hugely. Unoaked Chablis is among the cleanest wines, while heavily oaked California Chardonnay picks up barrel tannins and lactic compounds from malolactic fermentation.
- Congeners
- Low
- Histamines
- Moderate
- Polyphenols
- Low
- Sulfites
- High
- Tannins
- Low
- Sugar
- Low
- Additives
- Moderate
- Calories
- 123
- Carbs
- 3.2g
15.8g ethanol at 13.5% ABV. 110 from alcohol, 13 from carbohydrate.
In its favor
- ✓Unoaked styles are very low-impact
- ✓Lower histamine than red
What to watch
- !Oaked styles add tannins and amines
- !Malolactic fermentation increases biogenic amines
Factor by factor
Congeners Low ▾
Byproducts of fermentation (methanol, acetaldehyde, fusel alcohols). Strongly linked to hangover severity; darker, less-distilled spirits carry more.
Histamines Moderate ▾
Produced by bacteria during fermentation/aging. Trigger flushing, headaches, congestion in sensitive drinkers. High in red wine, beer, aged spirits.
Polyphenols Low ▾
Plant compounds with antioxidant activity. Slightly protective at low doses but at high concentrations may worsen hangover via tannin/quercetin reactions.
Sulfites High ▾
Preservatives (SO₂) added to wine and some beers. Common trigger of headaches, asthma, and allergic-type reactions.
Tannins Low ▾
Astringent polyphenols from skins, seeds, barrels. Bind proteins, slow alcohol clearance, and aggravate dehydration-style symptoms.
Sugar Low ▾
Residual sugar amplifies hangover via blood-sugar swings and dehydration. Liqueurs and cocktails are the main offenders.
Additives Moderate ▾
Colorants, flavorings, glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbates. Cheap spirits and ready-to-drinks often hide these in trade-secret formulas.
Chardonnay’s hangover load depends entirely on style. Crisp unoaked = light. Buttery oaked = closer to red wine territory.
Chardonnay questions
How many calories are in a glass of Chardonnay? ▾
About 123 calories in a 5oz glass at 13.5% ABV. 110 come from the alcohol and 13 from carbohydrate.
How many carbs are in Chardonnay? ▾
3.2g of carbohydrate per 5oz glass. The producer does not publish a sugar figure, and in beer most of that carbohydrate is unfermented starch and dextrins rather than sugar.
Is Chardonnay gluten-free? ▾
Yes. Chardonnay is made from grapes. There is no wheat, barley or rye at any stage.
Does Chardonnay give you a bad hangover? ▾
Chardonnay scores 6/10 on the SpiritFacts Hangover Index, against 6/10 for white wine overall. The main drivers are its sulfites.