Varietal Wine: Grape Varieties on Labels
Learn what varietal means in wine, how varietal labeling works, and the difference between varietal wines and blends. A clear guide for wine beginners.
A varietal is a wine labeled by its dominant grape variety, such as Merlot or Chardonnay. Most wine laws require at least 75-85% of the named grape to use a varietal label.
Walk into any wine shop in the United States, Australia, or Chile, and you will see bottles labeled by grape name: Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio. This grape-forward approach to wine labeling is called varietal labeling, and understanding it is one of the easiest ways to start making sense of the wine world.
What Is a Varietal?
A varietal wine is one that is made predominantly from a single grape variety and labeled with that grape’s name. The term “varietal” can refer both to the wine itself and to the grape variety from which it is made. When someone says “I prefer Chardonnay,” they are expressing a varietal preference.
For a wine to carry a varietal label, most wine-producing countries require that a minimum percentage of the wine come from the named grape. In the United States, this minimum is 75 percent. In the European Union, it is typically 85 percent. Australia requires 85 percent as well. The remaining percentage can be composed of other grape varieties, blended in by the winemaker to add complexity, structure, or other desired characteristics.
Why Varietals Matter
Varietal labeling is the dominant system in what the wine world calls New World regions, including the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, and Argentina. It emerged as a consumer-friendly alternative to the European tradition of labeling wines by region rather than by grape.
When a label says “Sauvignon Blanc,” you immediately have an idea of what to expect: bright acidity, citrus and herbal aromas, a refreshing character. This makes varietal labeling accessible for beginners who may not yet know that a white Sancerre is made from Sauvignon Blanc or that a red Burgundy is Pinot Noir.
Understanding grape varieties is also the foundation of wine education. Each grape has a characteristic flavor profile, typical body, acidity range, and tannin level. Learning these baselines allows you to start predicting what a wine will taste like before you open it, and helps you identify what you like so you can seek out similar wines.
The varietal approach also highlights winemaking differences within a single grape. Tasting a Chardonnay from Burgundy next to one from California reveals how climate, soil, and winemaking technique transform the same grape into completely different wines. This comparative exercise is one of the most effective ways to develop your palate.
Varietals in Practice
The world of wine grapes is vast, with over 1,300 varieties used commercially, but a handful dominate the market. Among reds, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Tempranillo are the most widely planted and recognized. Among whites, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, and Chenin Blanc lead the way.
Each variety has signature characteristics. Cabernet Sauvignon is typically full-bodied with firm tannins and cassis flavors. Pinot Noir is lighter and more aromatic, with red fruit and earthy notes. Sauvignon Blanc delivers crisp acidity with citrus and green herbal character. Riesling ranges from bone-dry to lusciously sweet, always with vibrant acidity and aromatic intensity.
The alternative to varietal labeling is blending, where a winemaker combines multiple grape varieties to create a wine that is greater than the sum of its parts. Bordeaux is the most famous blending region, where Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec are combined in varying proportions. Blended wines are typically labeled by region rather than grape, which is why European labels often require more wine knowledge to decode.
Some producers create what are called varietal blends or labeled blends, where two or more grapes are listed on the label, such as “Cabernet-Merlot” or “Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc.” These indicate a deliberate blending of specific varieties and give consumers useful information about what to expect.
Explore with Sommo
Building your knowledge of grape varieties is one of the most rewarding parts of learning about wine. Sommo’s grape variety guides help you learn the signature characteristics, ideal food pairings, and notable regions for each major varietal. Scan any bottle to instantly identify its grape variety and discover similar wines you might enjoy.
