Chardonnay is often aged in oak barrels. The oak introduces flavours of butterscotch, popcorn and wood. SauvignonBlanc is rarely aged in oak. Chardonnay's flavours are predominantly apple and stone fruit (apricot, plum), with mellow, buttery tones. Sauvignon Blanc is wilder, with flavours of lemon, lime, fresh-cut grass and asparagus. Think of it this way: Chardonnay is Pepsi and Sauvignon Blanc is Coke.

Dick Snyder eats, drinks and writes in downtown Toronto. Click here to send him your questions.