On Mon, 23 Aug 2004 12:51:25 -0500, Mark Lipton >
wrote:

>Leo Bueno wrote:
>
>> Are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Riesling, etc., grape
>> "varieties" or "varietals"?
>>
>> My ear says "varieties" but many folk in the wine world say
>> "varietals".
>>
>> What's the correct usage?
>
>Leo,
> I agree with what's already been said here. To me, "varietal"
>stands in opposition to "geographical" as a labeling strategy for wine.
> I think that many people use "varietal" indiscriminantly to describe
>grape varieties, but that's just sloppy usage to me.

I'd be interested in the views of others, but personally I thinl the
labelling is the key here.

A wine with a label saying "Syrah" is varietal, even though in the EU
it may contain upto 15% other grapes.

A red AC Burgundy is almost certainly 100% Pinot Noir, but I would not
think of it as a varietal.

--
Steve Slatcher
http://pobox.com/~steve.slatcher