varietal wine
noun
variants
or less commonly varietal
: a wine (such as merlot) bearing the name of the principal grape from which it is produced
Examples of varietal wine in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While the grape was first approved for production as a single varietal wine in 2021, it has been cultivated in the Duero Valley since the Middle Ages and has been used in small amounts alongside Tempranillo as a blending grape, much the way Viognier is added to Syrah in the northern Rhône.
—
Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2025
First promoted as a varietal wine by Bodega Tierra Roja’s Christian Villamor in 2010, the Vischoqueña mantel has since been taken up by Yokich, Cepa de Oro, and Jardín Oculto among others.
—Marianne Perez-Fransius, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2024
Unfamiliarity with this or that varietal wine hasn’t kept consumers from recognizing and embracing suggestions of apple, lime and revitalizing acidity in her Picpoul Blanc, the juicy complexity of her Grenache Blanc, and the tropical fruitiness, richness and persistence of her Clairette Blanche.
—Mike Dunne, SFChronicle.com, 16 June 2020
Petite sirah has its advocates, but it’s never been all that popular or respected as a varietal wine.
—New York Times, 21 Oct. 2021
At the time, many Napa Valley wineries used Merlot grapes, but they were rarely fashioned into a varietal wine.
—Esther Mobley, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Nov. 2022
Bending Branch Winery, the first to plant Souzao (a dark skinned grape with good natural acidity), released a single vineyard varietal wine, Bending Branch Estate Souzao, Lost Pirogue Vineyard, 2017.
—Dallas News, 18 May 2022
Wine Folly says in Chile, a single-varietal wine is allowed to have up to 15% other varieties blended with it.
—Marc Bona, cleveland, 14 Aug. 2022
Roussanne, a white Rhône variety, is an important grape for Rhône-expert Tablas Creek—as a varietal wine and in their lovely blends.
—Sara L. Schneider, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2021
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Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2025
First promoted as a varietal wine by Bodega Tierra Roja’s Christian Villamor in 2010, the Vischoqueña mantel has since been taken up by Yokich, Cepa de Oro, and Jardín Oculto among others.
—Marianne Perez-Fransius, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2024
Unfamiliarity with this or that varietal wine hasn’t kept consumers from recognizing and embracing suggestions of apple, lime and revitalizing acidity in her Picpoul Blanc, the juicy complexity of her Grenache Blanc, and the tropical fruitiness, richness and persistence of her Clairette Blanche.
—Mike Dunne, SFChronicle.com, 16 June 2020
Petite sirah has its advocates, but it’s never been all that popular or respected as a varietal wine.
—New York Times, 21 Oct. 2021
At the time, many Napa Valley wineries used Merlot grapes, but they were rarely fashioned into a varietal wine.
—Esther Mobley, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Nov. 2022
Bending Branch Winery, the first to plant Souzao (a dark skinned grape with good natural acidity), released a single vineyard varietal wine, Bending Branch Estate Souzao, Lost Pirogue Vineyard, 2017.
—Dallas News, 18 May 2022
Wine Folly says in Chile, a single-varietal wine is allowed to have up to 15% other varieties blended with it.
—Marc Bona, cleveland, 14 Aug. 2022
Roussanne, a white Rhône variety, is an important grape for Rhône-expert Tablas Creek—as a varietal wine and in their lovely blends.
—Sara L. Schneider, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2021
Articles Related to varietal wine
Cite this Entry
“Varietal wine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/varietal%20wine. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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