Wine Word of the Week: Variety

This week’s Wine Word of the Week is variety.

Official definition from Jancis Robinson’s The Oxford Companion to Wine:
Vine varieties are distinct types of vine within one species of the vine genus vitis. Different vine varieties produce different varieties of grapes, so that the terms vine variety and grape variety are used almost interchangeably. Each variety of vine, or grape, may produce distinct and identifiable styles and flavours of wine.

Layman’s terms from Kori:
Variety refers to a specific type of grape with each variety having its own distinct characteristics; therefore, wines produced from each different variety have their own distinct characteristics as well. Examples of grape varieties include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, etc.

Wine Word of the Week: Variety was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps - Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond.