varietal

1 of 2

adjective

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

varietal

2 of 2

noun

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

Zinfandel works as a stand-alone, 100-percent varietal wine and also lends itself to blending.

—James Laube

2

: 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

Examples of varietal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Casto has begun stripping varietal names from the front of bottles, starting with cabernet franc. —Rachel King, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

Medium full with ideal ripeness, good acidity, excellent persistence, and lovely varietal purity. —Tom Hyland, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025

Noun

In Douglas County, look for an array of local plant varietals thriving in a demonstration garden near the parking lot servicing Hidden Mesa Open Space, 3217 North 83. —Jamie Siebrase, Denver Post, 22 May 2025

Plant Select varietals grow alongside natives at Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., and 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road. —Jamie Siebrase, Denver Post, 22 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

variety + -al entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1866, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing varietal

• varietal wine

Rhymes for varietal

• centripetal
• acetyl
• bimetal
• decretal
• beetle
• fetal
• foetal