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Grape Varietal

Wine-Specific · Updated 2026-02-06

A grape varietal is the specific grape variety used to produce a wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, or Pinot Noir, which can be declared on the label if the wine meets minimum percentage requirements for that variety.

In Plain English

The grape varietal tells you what kind of grape was used to make the wine. When a wine label says "Cabernet Sauvignon," it means that grape is the dominant variety in the wine. But it does not have to be 100% that grape. Federal rules require that at least 75% of the wine comes from the named grape variety (85% in Oregon, which has stricter state rules). The remaining percentage can come from other grape varieties, which is common practice for blending to achieve a desired flavor profile. If a winemaker uses a blend without a dominant variety, the wine will typically be labeled with a generic type like "Red Wine" or a proprietary blend name instead.

Technical Detail

Varietal labeling requirements are specified in 27 CFR 4.23. A wine may be labeled with a single varietal name if at least 75% of the wine is derived from that grape variety (the percentage refers to the volume of wine, not the volume of grapes). For wines labeled with an appellation of origin that is an AVA, the wine must contain at least 75% of the named variety. Oregon state law requires 90% for most varieties and 75% for certain exempt varieties. If two or more varieties are listed, all named varieties must total 100% and must be listed in descending order of predominance. Varietal wines must also carry an appellation of origin (country, state, county, or AVA). The TTB maintains a list of approved grape variety names.

Why It Matters

Varietal information drives consumer purchasing decisions in the wine category and is a key classification tool for market analysis. Trends in varietal popularity, such as the rise of Rosé or the growing interest in lesser-known varieties, are visible in COLA filing patterns. For service providers targeting wineries, understanding which varietals are gaining momentum helps focus marketing and outreach efforts. BevAlc Intelligence categorizes wine COLA filings and tracks filing activity on the /wine/ hub page.

Related Terms

Appellation of Origin An appellation of origin is a geographic designation on a wine label that identifies where the grape... AVA (American Viticultural Area) An American Viticultural Area (AVA) is a federally recognized grape-growing region in the United Sta... Estate Bottled Estate bottled is a regulated label term indicating that the winery grew all the grapes in vineyards... Vintage The vintage is the year in which the grapes used to make a wine were harvested, which may be declare... Wine Blend A wine blend is a wine made by combining two or more grape varieties, vintages, or vineyard sources,...

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of wine must be from the named grape variety?

At least 75% of the wine must be derived from the named grape variety under federal regulations. Oregon requires a higher threshold of 90% for most varieties. If the wine is labeled with an AVA appellation, the 75% federal minimum applies unless state law requires more.

Can a wine label list multiple grape varieties?

Yes. If multiple varieties are listed, they must total 100% and be listed in descending order of predominance. Each variety listed must constitute at least a certain minimum percentage of the wine.

What if a wine does not meet the varietal percentage requirement?

The wine cannot be labeled with that varietal name. Instead, it would be labeled with a generic type designation (such as "Red Wine" or "Table Wine") or a proprietary name that does not reference a specific grape variety.

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