🍷 Varietal wine

Varietal wine is wine made mainly from one grape variety, which is shown on the label, for example "Chardonnay", "Cabernet Sauvignon" or "Riesling". Under EU rules, at least 85% of that variety is needed to use the name. The other 15% can include other varieties.

This presentation is convenient for the buyer. The variety name gives a rough idea of what is in the bottle: light or full, tart or soft. The grape usually defines the basic character of the wine, though soil, climate and the winemaker's skill also affect the taste. This approach is common in the New World: Australia, Chile, the USA. In Europe, the place is more often named, such as a village or an area.

Varietal wine is contrasted with a blend, a mixture of several grapes. Many classic wines, such as Bordeaux, are made as blends. Varietal wine belongs to the idea of wine types. It is neither better nor worse than a blend; it is simply another way of naming and making wine. Choose according to your taste.