Wine Talk: Varietal vs. Variety

As your liquor store in Knoxville, we try to keep updated with all things liquor related. Here’s what got us researching lately: In wine terminology, the words “varietal” and “variety” are often used interchangeably even though they mean two very different things.

A variety is simply a variety of grape vine and should be treated as a noun.

Varietal is adjective referring to a product itself that is composed of a specific variety.

Varietal Wine

This is made from a single grape variety or a dominant variety with smaller amounts of others blended in. The legal percentage in order to label a bottle and sell in liquor stores as a specific variety differs across the globe. This is to preserve the integrity of the final product.

Oregon state law requires winemakers to use at least 90% pinot noir grapes in order to label it as pinot noir. Other varieties like syrah, cabernet sauvignon, and merlot only need to contain at least 75% of the named variety. This is the same for all wines in California.

However in Burgundy, almost without exception, the whites are required by French law to be 100% chardonnay and the reds 100% pinot noir. European laws tend to be stricter to establish tiers of quality.

Drop by your local liquor store in Knoxville and pick out your favorite bottle of wine – be it varietal or not!

Cheers-

Campbell Station Wine & Spirits, Always of Good Cheer! Your Friendly Farragut wine and liquor store ! Conveniently located on the West End of Turkey Creek in Farragut. It is our pleasure to assist in picking the perfect wine or liquor  for your enjoyment. Visit us today and check out our full inventory that includes popular, premium, and even extremely rare wines and spirits. Don't forget we also sell beer, mixers and other wine accessories.  Visit our website www.campbellstationwine.com or call 865.966.7122

Wine Talk: Varietal vs. Variety