“Variety” and “Varietal”

Interesting little read at: http://oenologic.blogspot.com/2010/11/varietal-is-not-spice.html

I have often wondered about this myself.

All is well with the article with one minor bit of nit-picking on my part: A varietal wine may or may not contain 100% of the variety named. Depending on local regulations varietal wines may be so labeled even if they have been blended with 15-25% of other varieties. Some appellations and some wines of course (e.g. Brunello di Montalcino) must contain only one specific variety.

I remember when I first heard the word varietal and thought how useful it was.

Now because it is used as a synonym for variety its use is lost

Drives me crazy.

In my books glossary I wrote:

Varietal – strictly speaking varietal refers to a wine made from a single named grape variety although it is increasingly being used in place of variety, presumably because it sounds more technical.

Variety – an individual type of grape vine within a species. Thus Merlot and Chardonnay are vinifera varieties.

[David M. Bueker]

All is well with the article with one minor bit of nit-picking on my part: A varietal wine may or may not contain 100% of the variety named. Depending on local regulations varietal wines may be so labeled even if they have been blended with 15-25% of other varieties. Some appellations and some wines of course (e.g. Brunello di Montalcino) must contain only one specific variety.

Your nit is with the authorities who allow blending combined with the use of varietal labeling.

All is well with the article with one minor bit of nit-picking on my part: A varietal wine may or may not contain 100% of the variety named. Depending on local regulations varietal wines may be so labeled even if they have been blended with 15-25% of other varieties. Some appellations and some wines of course (e.g. Brunello di Montalcino) must contain only one specific variety.

Your nit is with the authorities who allow blending combined with the use of varietal labeling.

Amen! Esp. with re: to Brunello.

marco

Mr. Grammar Person offers this very biased and emphatic opinion:

In wine terminology, the term "variety" refers to a specific, well-defined, population (in the strict scientific Biological sense) of grape vines, that happen to deliver a distinct (from the wine appreciation point of view) set of flavor/aroma experiences.

"Varietal" refers to the characteristics of the wine produced by vines from such a distinct population.

The key here is that "varietal" applies strictly to the wines, and "variety" to the vines. This is a distinction that is emphatically misinterpreted by a certain large body of opinion whose residence is Monkon, Maryland.

-Paul W.

It's just a shame that this is the closest Thor will get to WLDG these days!

The key here is that "varietal" applies strictly to the wines, and "variety" to the vines. This is a distinction that is emphatically misinterpreted by a certain large body of opinion whose residence is Monkon, Maryland.

-Paul W.

I didn't realize he moved...I always thought he lived in Monkton, Maryland.

Drew