What is a Varietal Wine: Single vs. Blend

So what is a varietal wine? It is a wine named after its dominant grape variety. That naming practice is optional on wine labels, according to the OIV International Standard for the Labelling of Wines. In contrast, blended wines combine multiple grape varieties to achieve a desired style. That is the common practice in regions like Bordeaux. There, scarcely any wines are varietals, as noted by Stephen Brook in The Complete Bordeaux. Understanding this distinction helps you anticipate a wine's character and origin. For example, Burgundy's most famous red wines are made from Pinot Noir grapes. Its white wines come from Chardonnay grapes. Those wines often emphasize a single grape's expression. Conversely, red Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot are typical. The blend creates a complex profile. This fundamental difference shapes how wines are made and classified. It also shapes how they evolve in your cellar.

What is a varietal wine, and how does it differ from a blend?

A varietal wine consists primarily or entirely of a single grape cultivar. It is named for that grape. The term "grape variety" refers to cultivars. For example, a wine labeled "Chardonnay" is a varietal wine. It is predominantly made from Chardonnay grapes. The OIV International Standard for the Labelling of Wines lists the "Varietal name" as optional information on a wine label.

In contrast, a blended wine combines juice or wine from two or more different grape varieties. This practice allows winemakers to achieve a specific flavor profile, balance, or complexity. A single grape might not deliver that. Blending is an integral part of the winemaking process in many regions, such as Bordeaux. There, scarcely any wines are varietals, according to Stephen Brook in The Complete Bordeaux. The decision to produce a varietal or a blended wine often reflects regional traditions and winemaking philosophy. It also reflects the characteristics of the vintage.

How do classic regions approach varietal and blended wines?

The approach to varietal and blended wines differs significantly between classic regions like Burgundy and Bordeaux. That difference influences the wines you might hold in your cellar.

In Burgundy, the focus is predominantly on varietal wines, with a strong emphasis on terroir. The most famous red wines are made from Pinot Noir grapes. The white wines come from Chardonnay grapes. This region has a higher number of appellations d'origine contrôlée (AOCs) than any other French region. It is often considered the most terroir-conscious. Its classifications focus geographically on specific vineyards or regions, not producers. For instance, Côte d'Or whites are mostly produced from 100% Chardonnay grapes. The majority of red production in the Côte d'Or focuses on the Pinot Noir grape. Rules for red Burgundy appellations generally allow blending up to 15% of white grape varieties like Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris. This practice is not widely adopted today, as Jancis Robinson notes in Oxford Companion to Wine. This regional philosophy has a consequence for buyers. When you acquire a Burgundy wine, you are often investing in the pure expression of a single grape. That grape comes from a specific plot of land. You can explore the unique characteristics of these regions through our producer atlas by region.

Bordeaux, conversely, is renowned for its blended wines. Red Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Carménère are also allowed. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries also authorized the use of four new red grapes: Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa. That applies only to wines designated as Bordeaux or Bordeaux Supérior. The blend proportions vary by subregion. For example, take the Médoc and the left bank of the Gironde estuary. Typical top-quality Châteaux blends there are 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Merlot. That combination is often referred to as the "Bordeaux blend," according to Oz Clarke and Margaret Rand. They write in Grapes and Wines: Encyclopedia of Grapes. On the right bank, in appellations like Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, Merlot tends to predominate. Typical top-quality Châteaux blends there are 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, as also stated by Clarke and Rand. White Bordeaux wines are predominantly Sémillon, Sauvignon blanc, and Muscadelle. They usually appear in blends such as 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon blanc. This blending tradition allows Bordeaux winemakers to craft wines with consistent styles across vintages. It balances the strengths of different grapes. Learn more about the region in our Bordeaux producer atlas.

What are the primary grapes used in varietal wines?

For varietal wines, the grape itself is the star, and several Vitis vinifera varieties are commonly used to produce them.

Red Varietals:

• Pinot Noir: This grape is the primary red grape of Burgundy. In the Côte de Nuits region, 90% of the production is red grapes. Pinot Noir is also known by synonyms like Spätburgunder and Blauburgunder.
• Gamay: This grape grows predominantly in Beaujolais, which is recognized as part of the Burgundy wine region. Gamay is known for producing fruity red wines.
• Nebbiolo: This grape originates in Italy, particularly Piedmont, and makes varietal wines. It also goes by Chatus (Nebbiolo Di Dronero) in Italy, Veneto region.
• Sangiovese: This is a key Italian grape, primarily from Tuscany. It is also known as Brunello. Italy cultivates 63,000 hectares of Sangiovese.
• Syrah / Shiraz: This grape originates in France and is cultivated widely. It covered 142,600 hectares in 2004.

White Varietals:

• Chardonnay: This is the most common white grape in Burgundy. It makes the famous white wines of the Côte d'Or, Chablis, and Mâcon. Those are mostly produced from 100% Chardonnay grapes. It is also known by synonyms such as Arboisier and Beaunois.
• Aligoté: This is another white grape found in Burgundy. Aligoté tends to produce cheaper wines with higher acidity. It traditionally goes into the Kir drink.
• Riesling: A prominent German white grape, also known as Weisser Riesling.
• Sauvignon Blanc: Winemakers often blend this grape, but it also makes varietal wines. The Saint Bris appellation in Burgundy is one example. Its popularity has been rising in Bordeaux. It overtook Ugni blanc as the second most planted white Bordeaux grape in the late 1980s.
• Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris: In medieval Burgundy, this grape went by the name Fromenteau. Pinot Gris was believed to be a quality grape in northeastern France.

What are the primary grapes used in blended wines?

Blended wines combine several grape varieties. Specific regions have established "traditional" blends.

Red Blends:

• Bordeaux Red Blend: This blend typically features Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Take the Médoc and the left bank of the Gironde estuary. Typical top-quality Châteaux blends there are 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Merlot. Oz Clarke and Margaret Rand state that in Grapes and Wines: Encyclopedia of Grapes. On the right bank, Merlot tends to predominate. Typical top-quality Châteaux blends there are 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, according to Clarke and Rand. Other permitted grapes include Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Carménère. As of July 2019, four more grapes were also authorized for Bordeaux or Bordeaux Supérior wines. They are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
• Rhône Blends (Southern Rhône): The Southern Rhône region is known for blends. Grenache (Garnatxa, Garnacha, Cannonau, Lladoner Pelut, Lledoner Pelut) is prominent in the region. So is Mourvèdre (Monastrell, Mataro, Rossola nera, Garrut). Muscardin and Counoise also come from the Southern Rhone. The list includes them.

White Blends:

• Bordeaux White Blend: White Bordeaux is predominantly, and exclusively for sweet Sauternes, made from Sémillon, Sauvignon blanc, and Muscadelle. These are usually blends, most commonly 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon blanc. Other permitted varieties include Sauvignon gris, Ugni blanc, Colombard, Merlot blanc, Ondenc, and Mauzac. Recently, Bordeaux wineries have also permitted Alvarinho, Petit Manseng, and Liliorila.

How does labeling indicate varietal or blend?

Wine labels provide crucial information about whether a wine is a varietal or a blend. The level of detail can vary by region and regulatory standards. The OIV International Standard for the Labelling of Wines lists "Appellation of origin or Geographical indication" as compulsory information. "Varietal name" is optional.

For varietal wines, the label will typically feature the name of the dominant grape variety prominently. For example, a bottle from Burgundy might simply state "Chablis" (a Chardonnay-dominated wine) or "Pommard" (a Pinot Noir village appellation). The village name sits on the label. Sometimes the name of the single vineyard or climat where it was sourced appears as well. In Burgundy, Grand Cru wines will only list the name of the vineyard as the appellation, such as Corton or Montrachet. They add the Grand Cru term. They do not list the village name.

For blended wines, especially from regions like Bordeaux, the label often emphasizes the appellation or estate name. Individual grape varieties take second place. Bordeaux wine labels generally include the name of the estate, its classification, and the appellation (such as Saint-Émilion or Pauillac). They also state whether it was bottled at the château, the vintage, and alcohol content. The appellation itself is a key indicator of the type of wine in the bottle. For instance, Pauillac wines are always red, and Cabernet Sauvignon is usually the dominant grape variety. The specific blend of grapes is often implied by the regional style rather than explicitly stated on the front label. The term "Claret," a protected name within the European Union, describes a red Bordeaux wine. The name won acceptance after the British wine trade demonstrated over 300 years' usage of the term. That is stated in Oxford Companion to Wine.

What are the implications for collecting and aging varietal and blended wines?

Your decision to collect and age varietal or blended wines should consider their typical characteristics. Aging potential and market dynamics also matter.

Aging Potential:

• Varietal Wines: Many varietal wines are produced in a style meant for cellaring. That includes those from Burgundy's Grand Cru vineyards. Grand Cru wines typically need to be aged a minimum of five to seven years. The best examples can be kept for more than 15 years. Premier Cru wines often should be aged three to five years, with the best keeping much longer. However, regional appellation wines like AOC Bourgogne are typically intended for immediate consumption. That means within three years after the vintage date. Understanding these differences is key to managing your wine cellar.
• Blended Wines: Blended wines, especially top-tier Bordeaux reds, are often concentrated, tannic, and long-lived. Most are meant to be cellared before drinking. The blending process can contribute to a wine's longevity by balancing acidity, tannin, and fruit. For insights into when your wines are ready, consult our wines entering their drinking window.

Market and Value:

• Burgundy's Terroir Focus: Burgundy is home to some of the world's most expensive wines. Those include bottles from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Domaine Leroy. The region's terroir-driven classification means that a specific vineyard or region bears a given classification, regardless of the wine's producer. Labels reflect that, with appellations most prominent. However, Jancis Robinson states, that "price is an extremely unreliable guide". She adds that "what a wine sells for often has more to do with advertising hype and marketing decisions than the quality contained in the bottle." Village level wines from top producers can be found at lower price points.
• Bordeaux's Estate Focus: Bordeaux classifications are producer-driven and awarded to individual châteaux. The First Growth red wines are among the most expensive wines globally. Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Margaux are examples. Some Pomerol wines, like Château Pétrus and Château Le Pin, are often considered equivalent to First Growths. They can sell for even higher prices. Bordeaux wines tend to be common at wine auctions. Their longevity, large production, and established reputation explain that. You can track market movements on our live fine wine market index.

Collecting Considerations: When building your collection, consider the distinct philosophies of these regions. Burgundy offers the nuanced expression of a single grape from a specific plot. Bordeaux provides the complexity and balance achieved through blending. Both offer significant investment potential. Both also require different approaches to fine wine investment. They require a different understanding of how to buy wine at auction and how to sell fine wine.