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 Web
Tom Hyland, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Made entirely from Barbera, Nizza has a relatively brief history, but one that has brought forth a highly distinctive red wine that offers both excellent varietal purity, significant complexity and perhaps most importantly, notable aging potential.
—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Miles would have definitely approved of the pinot noir being produced under The Hilt label, as well as the Bordeaux and Rhône varietals from sister winery Jonata in Ballard Canyon.
—Amber Turpin, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2025
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Adjective
The style here is traditional, as the wines are matured in large casks, which allows the varietal character of the Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella grapes to shine through.
—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Made entirely from Barbera, Nizza has a relatively brief history, but one that has brought forth a highly distinctive red wine that offers both excellent varietal purity, significant complexity and perhaps most importantly, notable aging potential.
—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
Well The Whip - Livermore Valley $23 One of California’s oldest wineries, Murrieta’s Well blends Sauvignon Blanc with other varietals for complexity.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Miles would have definitely approved of the pinot noir being produced under The Hilt label, as well as the Bordeaux and Rhône varietals from sister winery Jonata in Ballard Canyon.
—Amber Turpin, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for varietal
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Cite this Entry
“Varietal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/varietal. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
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