🍷 Varietal wine
Also known as: varietal, single-varietal wine, single-grape wine, varietal wine label
A wine whose label names the grape variety; under EU rules at least 85% of the wine must come from it.
A varietal wine is a wine whose label names the grape variety it is made from, for example "Chardonnay" or "Riesling". In the EU, naming a variety on the label is regulated by Article 50 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33.
If one variety is named, at least 85% of the wine must be made from that variety. Products added for sweetening, and the expedition and tirage liqueurs used for sparkling wine, are not counted in that percentage. If two or more varieties are named, 100% of the wine must be made from them, and they must be listed in descending order of the proportion used, in characters of the same size.
The names must be those of the official classification of wine grape varieties; Member States exempted from that classification use the OIV International list of vine varieties and their synonyms. For wines from non-EU countries, the rules of the producing country apply.
How it connects to Wine
🍷 Varietal wine → kind of → 🍇 Blends and varietal wines → kind of → 🍷 Types of wine → kind of → 🍷 Wine
Links
- Part of
- 🍇 Blends and varietal wines
- Similar and different
- 🍷 Blend
Frequently asked questions
How much of a grape must a varietal wine contain before the label can name it?
At least 85 % when one variety is named. Sweetening products and the expedition and tirage liqueurs of sparkling wine are not counted.
What if the label lists two or three grapes?
Together they must make up 100 % of the wine, listed in descending order of proportion and in characters of the same size.
Is it true that EU varietal rules also apply to wine from the US or Australia?
No. For wines from non-EU countries the rules of the producing country apply.
Guides
Similar
🍷 Field blend · 🍷 Homemade wine · 🍷 Super Tuscan · 🍷 Table wine · 🍷 Blend · 🍷 GSM blend
⚠️ Wine contains alcohol: adults only, drink in moderation. Wine usually contains sulphites; egg white or milk proteins are sometimes used for fining — important for allergies and for vegans.
Sources
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33, Article 50 (name of wine grape variety)
- Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, Article 120 (labelling of wine)
- Wikidata