varietal

American  

[vuh-rahy-i-tl] / vəˈraɪ ɪ tl /

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, designating, or characteristic of a variety.

2. constituting a variety.

3. (in U.S. winemaking) designating a wine made entirely or chiefly from one variety of grape.

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noun

1. a varietal wine named for such a grape (distinguished from generic).

varietal British  

/ vəˈraɪɪtəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, characteristic of, designating, or forming a variety, esp a biological variety

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noun

1. a wine labelled with the name of the grape from which it is pressed

Other Word Forms

• intervarietal
  adjective
• varietally
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of varietal

First recorded in 1865–70; variet(y) + -al ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

varietal

In the words of the eminent Australian viticulturalist Dr Richard Smart to World of Wine, even relatively small changes in temperature could “effectively rewrite regional reputations and varietal preferences.”

From Salon ● May 1, 2024

MacLachlan’s Walla Walla tasting room for his Pursued by Bear wines, which opened in spring 2023, will add to its offerings this fall when a single varietal merlot joins the Twin Bear line.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 10, 2024

Some governments, particularly in Europe, designated appellations—strictly circumscribed regions with rules on how and where a varietal such as burgundy, rioja or barolo was legally allowed to grow and be produced.

From Scientific American ● Sep. 21, 2023

With its embrace of the international varietal of football, the U.S. is becoming a global sports hub in the same way it has long been a hub for music and film.

From Slate ● Jun. 10, 2023

Of this species there are as many varieties sold as of number one, and nearly the same varietal names are used; but it is not so good a species for general cultivation in this country.

From Trees of the Northern United States Their Study, Description and Determination by A. C. (Austin Craig) Apgar

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