of wine
: not aged in oak barrels
an unoaked chardonnay
As early as the 1980s, New Zealand winemakers experimented with aging Sauvignon Blanc in oak barrels, some of which were highly awarded. But the commercial success and lower costs associated with unoaked wines led most wineries to adopt that style.—
Joe Czerwinski
Joe CzerwinskiExamples of unoaked in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Aroma & Taste Profile Pinot Grigio from this region is crafted in a fresh, unoaked style, intended for immediate enjoyment.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Ingredients: 4 oz unoaked white wine (like Pinot Grigio); 2 oz club soda; 4 sprigs of mint, 2 slices of lemon.
—Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
While cultivated throughout Germany and in limited quantities throughout continental Europe, the diminutive white grape, often compared to grüner veltliner or an unoaked chardonnay, rarely gets much attention.
—Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, and unoaked Chardonnay all work well here.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2025
Others might blend oaked and unoaked juice to strike a balance between richness and freshness.
—Emily Price, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
White Varieties: Chardonnay: Widely planted, producing various styles from crisp and unoaked to rich and buttery.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Adnams White Burgundy 2022 Adnams White Burgundy is a delightful introduction to unoaked Chardonnay (read: the antithesis of those clag-heavy 90s Chards) from the Mâcon region.
—Lela London, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
Rosé often pairs well with burgers based around root veggies, while red wine drinkers will likely enjoy a light-bodied Pinot Noir and white wine fans may enjoy an unoaked Viognier.
—Kristy Alpert, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2023
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Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Ingredients: 4 oz unoaked white wine (like Pinot Grigio); 2 oz club soda; 4 sprigs of mint, 2 slices of lemon.
—Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
While cultivated throughout Germany and in limited quantities throughout continental Europe, the diminutive white grape, often compared to grüner veltliner or an unoaked chardonnay, rarely gets much attention.
—Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, and unoaked Chardonnay all work well here.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2025
Others might blend oaked and unoaked juice to strike a balance between richness and freshness.
—Emily Price, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
White Varieties: Chardonnay: Widely planted, producing various styles from crisp and unoaked to rich and buttery.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Adnams White Burgundy 2022 Adnams White Burgundy is a delightful introduction to unoaked Chardonnay (read: the antithesis of those clag-heavy 90s Chards) from the Mâcon region.
—Lela London, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
Rosé often pairs well with burgers based around root veggies, while red wine drinkers will likely enjoy a light-bodied Pinot Noir and white wine fans may enjoy an unoaked Viognier.
—Kristy Alpert, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2023
Cite this Entry
“Unoaked.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unoaked. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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