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

Etymology

Origin of varietal

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

Example Sentences

Delicata is a very popular varietal with sweet flavor and creamy texture.

From Salon • Oct. 8, 2023

Sadly, it is almost impossible to trace a current varietal back to western Asia or the Caucasus, the two early domestication centers.

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

India bought mostly Red Delicious apples, a varietal whose popularity has declined domestically.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 3, 2023

In 1818 Cattleya labiata appeared, and about the same time Cypripedium insigne, which has now two or three hundred varieties that enthusiasts consider sufficiently distinct to bear varietal names.

From Orchids by O'Brien, James