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

This 4–5-year-old rye from Kentucky’s New Riff Distilling is a single varietal rye whiskey made with the rare Balboa rye grain. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025

Medium-bodied, there is good acidity and varietal character. —Tom Hyland, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025

Noun

Then, drive north about an hour to the Collio wine region, where a host of white grape varietals—such as Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia, and Sauvignon Blanc—are widely grown. —Tia Lovisa Moreira, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2025

Each type is named for one of the wine varietals available in the south Okanagan. —Johanna Read, Forbes.com, 31 July 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