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Varietal wines are made principally, though not exclusively, from a specific type of grape. Great, though, the grapes can be blended with a smaller proportion of other grape varieties. Varietal wines are known for their distinctive taste, aroma, and physical characteristics. Presently, there're several varietal wines that distinct regions of the wine-producing world have become known for, thanks to the climatic and soil peculiarities of those regions. Below are some of the most popular varietal wines today:
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a white varietal wine that remains among the popular types of wine in the world, known for its wide range of flavors. It is made primarily from the Chardonnay grape, which is known for its adaptability. Chardonnay can taste buttery, oaky, and creamy when aged in an oak barrel. In contrast, it can be crisp, fruity, and light when not aged in a barrel. Burgandy in France and most New World regions, such as California and Australia, produce this type of wine.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is another popular white varietal wine. It is made chiefly from the Sauvignon Blanc grape, which remains widely grown around the world. It is known for its zesty and refreshing taste and its characteristic aromas of citrus, green apple, and herbs. Sauvignon Blanc is commonly produced in Bordeaux, France, and New Zealand, both of which are known for producing exceptional, crisp, and fruity Sauvignon Blanc.
Riesling
Mostly, Riesling is a highly aromatic white wine. It is made and bottled exclusively with Riesling grapes. This wine is known for its sweetness, though it can also be dry. Riesling is appreciated for its floral aroma and flavors of stone fruits, such as peach and apricot. This varietal wine is mainly produced in Germany and Alsace, France, both of which are renowned for their Riesling.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is red varietal wine famous for its light body and complex flavors. It is made solely from Pinot Noir grapes. The wine can also be bold and light, depending on where it was produced. Pinot Noir is known for its flavors of red fruits, such as cherry and strawberry, and earthy undertones. Burgundy in France, Oregon in the US, and New Zealand are popular Pinot Noir-producing regions.
Cabernet Sauvignon
No less than 80% of the wine produced globally today is Cabernet Sauvignon. This red varietal wine is notorious for its bold and full-bodied characteristics. It is made grape that is also called Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Sauvignon has dark fruit flavors, typically blackcurrant and blackberry, and herbaceous notes. It is mainly produced in Bordeaux and California, especially Napa Valley.
Merlot
Merlot is a red varietal wine known for its smooth and supple taste. It is made primarily from Merlot grapes. This varietal wine has fruity flavors, commonly plum and rounder tannins. Merlot is among the varietal wines produced across the world, though a large percentage is in Bordeaux, France, and California.
Syrah/Shiraz
Syrah, also known as Shiraz in some regions, is Red wine bottled and branded as varietal wine solely, mostly, though sometimes exclusively, made from Syrah grapes. It is noted for its bold flavors and rich, full body. This varietal wine is famous for dark fruit flavors, which are blackberry and plum, spicy notes, and pepper. It is mainly produced in Rhône Valley, France, and Australia.
Various grapes are used to produce varietal wine. Though they might be blended with a smaller percentage of other grape varieties, most wine makers ensure that up to 80% of the wine are their preferred grapes. The grapes used, therefore, depend on the type of varietal wine being produced. For instance, Pinot Noir grapes are used to produce Pinot Noir wine, while Chardonnay grapes produce Chardonnay wine. The closing grapes are chosen for their unique characteristics, including flavor, aroma, and color.
Grapes for varietal wine are mostly sourced from different vineyards around the world. These grapes are selected to ensure that the wine produced has the desired taste profile and quality. The winemakers normally consider the terroir, including soil type and climate, which significantly influence the grape's growth. For instance, Cabernet Sauvignon grapes thrive in warm regions with sufficient sunlight, while Pinot Noir grapes prefer cooler climates.
After harvesting the grapes, the wine making process begins. The grapes are first crushed to release their juice. The juice is then fermented, a process that converts the sugar in the grapes into alcohol. The fermentation process for red varietal wine is done with the grape skins, which gives the wine its color. Conversely, for white varietal wines, the fermentation process is done without the grape skins, giving the wine a lighter color.
Like any other line of products, packaging is one of the key considerations when selling wine or any other beverage. Varietal wine is commonly sealed in bottles for its primary and most commonly used packaging. When it comes to sealing, these wines are mostly corked, which ensures the wine is well preserved and has the required oxygen exposure over time. This exposure helps the wine to age properly, enhancing the flavors and overall quality. Note that other types of packaging, like screw caps and glass stoppers, can still be used to package varietal wine, especially by winemakers who produce wine intended for immediate consumption without the need for long-term aging. Nevertheless, cork remains the most popular sealing used for packaging varietal wine.
When it comes to the material used for the packaging bottle, glass is the most common material used due to its ability to preserve the wine's quality. In addition to preserving wine, glass also has an aesthetic appeal, making it suitable for packaging wine for sale. Besides, glass bottles come in varying colors, commonly green and clear, and the colors help protect the wine from light exposure.
However, it is important to note that plastic bottles are also becoming popular for packaging wine due to the increasing need for sustainable packaging solutions. These bottles are lighter and more environmentally friendly, making them a preferred option for certain winemakers.
Choosing the ideal varietal wine that a wholesaler can buy in bulk is based on several key factors. Below are some of the factors wholesalers are recommended to consider when purchasing the varietal wine that they will resell:
Wine type: There are at least six popular varietal wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Each of these varietal wine types has a unique flavor profile, characteristics, and aroma and may be preferred by different customers. So, wholesalers should first consider the type of wine they want to buy before purchasing. For instance, customers looking for white varietals prefer Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling, while those into red varietals prefer Pinot Noir and Merlot.
Terroir: The term 'terroir' refers to the environmental factors that affect the grapes' growth and, consequently, the wine's taste. These factors are soil, climate, and topography. Each wine-producing region has a unique terroir that influences the grape's characteristics and the varietal wine's taste. Therefore, wholesalers should consider the terroir of the region where the wine they intend to purchase is produced to ensure they select wines that are preferable to their customers.
Tasting profile: Tasting notes of varietal wine can help wholesalers decide on the wine to purchase, especially if they plan to sample the wine before buying it. Some wines are bold, full-bodied, and high tannin concentration, while others are light, low tannin. Therefore, after considering the type of wine, terroir, and tasting profile, bulk buyers can choose specialized wine that meets a specific customer requirement and demand. The other consideration is vineyard and winemaker.
Different winemakers and vineyards have their unique styles, which significantly influences the varietal wine's characteristics and quality. Wholesalers must research the listed winemaker and vineyard and only purchase wine from reputable manufacturers and vineyards to ensure they buy quality wine. Lastly, wholesalers should consider the vintage of the wine they intend to purchase. The vintage refers to the year the grapes were harvested. Like the other factors, the vintage affects the wine's taste and quality. For instance, older varietal wine is more refined and complex than younger ones.
Varietal wines, like any other product, need to be served appropriately to enhance customers' first impressions. Below are some of the recommended serving tips for various types of varietal wines:
Sauvignon Blanc wine, which most customers prefer for its crisp and refreshing taste, should be served chilled, around 45-50°F (7-10°C). This white varietal wine is mainly popular among drinkers who prefer light wines because it enhances the wine's zesty and fruity flavors. So, when serving Sauvignon Blanc in bulk, wholesalers need to remember that this wine is best served with food and that potential customers usually associate the wine with suitable food pairings. Customers should be advised that the wine suits seafood, salads, and light poultry dishes.
Riesling wine is mostly available in sweet options, which are typically preferred by customers who drink white wines with a touch of sweetness. The wine should be served at around 50-55°F (10-13°C) for the flavors to be fully experienced. As highlighted above, Riesling is popular among drinkers in the specialized variants. Hence, retailers serving bulk customers should stock this wine in different styles, including dry, off-dry, and sweet, to suit varying customer preferences.
On the other hand, Pinot Noir is favored because it is lighter contrasted with other red varietal wines. It should be served at around 55-60°F (13-15°C) to preserve its delicate aromas. Retailers should remember that customers prefer bulk buying this varietal wine because they associate it with rich dishes. Therefore, hash, earthy, and savory foods suitable for varietal wine include game, lamb, and mushroom-based dishes.
Merlot wine is preferred for its smooth taste and fuller body compared to Pinot Noir. The wine should be served at 60-65°F (15-18°C), which helps experience the wine's fruity flavors and soft tannins. This wine, along with the others, needs to be reviewed and sampled before making the decision to buy in bulk when serving it to customers.
Lastly, Shiraz wine should be served at room temperature (65-70°F or 18-21°C) to enjoy its full-bodied nature and bold flavors. The wine is typically preferred by customers together with beef, lamb, or dishes with a little spice to enhance their serving experience.
A. A varietal wine is a wine made principally from a certain type of grape. Though it can be blended with others, at least 75% of the wine must be from that specified grape variety.
A. The most popular types of grapes used to produce varietal wine are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
A. Chardonnay is a white wine famous for its wide range of flavors. Depending the production method, the wine can taste creamy, crispy, fruity, and light or buttery and oaky.
A. Pinot Noir is a red varietal wine that is mainly produced in Burgundy. Burgundy, in France, is the region where Pinot Noir grapes thrive, producing exceptional Pinot Noir wines.
A. Most white wines are dry, while Riesling is a highly aromatic white wine mostly preferred for its sweetness, though it can also be dry.
