va·ri·e·tal
və-ˈrī-ə-tᵊl 
1
: of, relating to, or characterizing a variety
varietal names
also
: being a variety in distinction from an individual or species
varietal corn
2
: of a varietal wine (see varietal entry 2 sense 1)
varietal grapes
varietal blends
plural varietals
1
or varietal wine
: a wine (such as merlot) bearing the name of the principal grape variety from which it is produced
Brothers Ross and Bill Spence established Matua in 1973 and were the first to bottle Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand. Today, the winery produces a range of varietals at varying price points.—
Alison Napjus
Alison NapjusZinfandel works as a stand-alone, 100-percent varietal wine and also lends itself to blending.—James Laube
James Laube2
: a grape variety that is used to produce a varietal wine
The grape, which produces lush fruit flavors of boysenberry and blackberry, along with vibrant acidity, it is without question Argentina's lead varietal.—James Molesworth
James MolesworthExamples of varietal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebMike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024
Excellent varietal purity and velvety, medium-full tannins.
—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Medium-bodied, there is good acidity and varietal character, medium weight tannins and a soft, pleasing finish.
—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
Medium-bodied, this offers impressive freshness, good acidity; a clean, well-rounded finish and notable varietal character; there is impressive texture.
—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 19 Apr. 2023
Medium-full with excellent ripeness, there are medium-weight tannins, very good acidity and impressive varietal purity along with excellent complexity and harmony.
—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 19 Apr. 2023
Created to be enjoyed upon release, Post & Beam 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon offers delightful cherry, raspberry, coffee, and leather flavors; the wine seamlessly unites tradition and innovation and showcases pure varietal expression.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2023
The same applies to improving varietal discovery, crop rotation, fertilization, and irrigation decisions.
—Susan Galer, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
Year-round cold temperatures create the perfect conditions for wines with intense acidity that let the varietal character shine through.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 15 Nov. 2023
Shelby Stewart, Essence, 24 Apr. 2024
Pearl Jam, Ed Sheeran, Stevie Nicks and Maná headline while attendees taste more than 100 vintages and varietals from labels such as Caymus, Duckhorn, Cardinale, Schramsberg, Blackbird Vineyards and Silverado, among others.
—Melinda Sheckells, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Apr. 2024
Yes and no: some are major varietals, but guests will notice different unknown regions.
—Liza B. Zimmerman, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Katz started from the ground up, cherry-picking the perfect swathes of land amid the resort’s 258 acres, and beginning in 2019, planting grape varietals including malbec, merlot, petit verdot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, and sauvignon blanc across 15.5 acres.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2024
Sandra's Rose is a blend of two red grapes, Petit Verdot and Montepulciano, and two white varietals, Vermentino and Petit Manseng.
—The Arizona Republic, 17 Mar. 2024
Not just drinking it - but the different varietals, the different styles of making wine, and the pairing of beautiful food with delicious wines.
—Noël Burgess, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Focus Features Director Alexander Payne's Oscar-winning 2004 satirical road comedy Sideways singlehandedly made pinot noir the hot new varietal while arguably spurring a decline in sales of merlot.
—Ars Staff, Ars Technica, 25 Dec. 2023
Some of the wine varietals and regions that are selling well in their stores are cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc, Bordeaux, Burgundy and French Champagne.
—Liz Thach, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
Adjective
His wines are highly sought after and coveted by collectors and Rhône varietal enthusiasts alike.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024
Excellent varietal purity and velvety, medium-full tannins.
—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Medium-bodied, there is good acidity and varietal character, medium weight tannins and a soft, pleasing finish.
—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
Medium-bodied, this offers impressive freshness, good acidity; a clean, well-rounded finish and notable varietal character; there is impressive texture.
—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 19 Apr. 2023
Medium-full with excellent ripeness, there are medium-weight tannins, very good acidity and impressive varietal purity along with excellent complexity and harmony.
—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 19 Apr. 2023
Created to be enjoyed upon release, Post & Beam 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon offers delightful cherry, raspberry, coffee, and leather flavors; the wine seamlessly unites tradition and innovation and showcases pure varietal expression.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2023
The same applies to improving varietal discovery, crop rotation, fertilization, and irrigation decisions.
—Susan Galer, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
Year-round cold temperatures create the perfect conditions for wines with intense acidity that let the varietal character shine through.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 15 Nov. 2023
Noun
Napa Valley Wine Train One of the premiere offerings in Napa is the Napa Valley Wine Train, which provides both a picturesque view of the wine country, while also helping break down the stigma and pretentiousness that wine varietals are associated with.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 24 Apr. 2024
Pearl Jam, Ed Sheeran, Stevie Nicks and Maná headline while attendees taste more than 100 vintages and varietals from labels such as Caymus, Duckhorn, Cardinale, Schramsberg, Blackbird Vineyards and Silverado, among others.
—Melinda Sheckells, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Apr. 2024
Yes and no: some are major varietals, but guests will notice different unknown regions.
—Liza B. Zimmerman, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Katz started from the ground up, cherry-picking the perfect swathes of land amid the resort’s 258 acres, and beginning in 2019, planting grape varietals including malbec, merlot, petit verdot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, and sauvignon blanc across 15.5 acres.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2024
Sandra's Rose is a blend of two red grapes, Petit Verdot and Montepulciano, and two white varietals, Vermentino and Petit Manseng.
—The Arizona Republic, 17 Mar. 2024
Not just drinking it - but the different varietals, the different styles of making wine, and the pairing of beautiful food with delicious wines.
—Noël Burgess, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Focus Features Director Alexander Payne's Oscar-winning 2004 satirical road comedy Sideways singlehandedly made pinot noir the hot new varietal while arguably spurring a decline in sales of merlot.
—Ars Staff, Ars Technica, 25 Dec. 2023
Some of the wine varietals and regions that are selling well in their stores are cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc, Bordeaux, Burgundy and French Champagne.
—Liz Thach, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'varietal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near varietal
Cite this Entry
“Varietal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/varietal. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
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