What’s the Difference Between a Grape and a Varietal?

If you’ve ever wondered why some bottles say “Pinot Grigio” while others just say “Red Blend,” or instead name a region like Côtes du Rhône, you’re not alone. One of the most common questions I get is: What’s the difference between a grape and a varietal? Spoiler: they’re related, but not quite the same.

The Wine Grape: The OG Fruit

A grape is exactly what it sounds like. Just like strawberries, apples, or peaches, grapes are fruit—though wine grapes aren’t exactly like the ones you grew up with in your lunch box. Wine is made by fermenting those wine grapes. There are thousands of different grape varieties grown around the world, but a few dozen are especially common in winemaking.

So when we say “Chardonnay,” we’re talking about the name of the grape. It’s the little green (or sometimes golden) fruit that eventually becomes the glass of buttery deliciousness in your hand.

Same goes for Merlot, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay—these are all names of grape varieties.

So…What’s a Wine Varietal?

A varietal refers to a wine made primarily from one specific grape variety—and it’s also how that wine is labeled, especially in places like the U.S., Australia, and Chile.

So if a bottle says “Chardonnay” on the label, it’s a varietal wine made mostly (usually at least 75% in the U.S.) from the Chardonnay grape. Think of it like this: The grape is the ingredient. The varietal is the product. Kind of like how flour becomes bread, or cacao becomes chocolate. Wines that are made up of just one grape may also be described as a “single varietal.”

💡 Fun fact: Not all countries label wine by varietal. In much of Europe, bottles are labeled by region (like Bordeaux, Barolo, or Chablis), and you’re just expected to know which grapes those regions use. A Chablis, for example, is always 100% Chardonnay—but it won’t say “Chardonnay” on the label. You just have to know. (Or follow this blog. I got you.)

What About Wine Blends?

If a wine is made from more than one type of grape, it’s called a blend, not a varietal. Some of the most famous wines in the world are blends—like a red Bordeaux (usually dominated by Cab Sauv or Merlot, with others mixed in for spice) or a classic GSM (Grenache + Syrah + Mourvèdre).

Blends can be labeled by region (again, looking at you, Europe) or by a fun brand name. If the bottle says “Red Blend” or something creative like “Winemaker’s Reserve,” that usually means it’s not a single varietal, and the producer chose to highlight style over grape specifics.

TL;DR

• Grape = the fruit (like Cabernet Sauvignon).
• Varietal = the wine made mostly from one grape, and labeled as such.
• Blend = wine made from multiple grapes.

So the next time you’re sipping Pinot Grigio or Pinot Blanc, you can confidently say you’re drinking a varietal wine made from that grape. And look at you—already talking like a pro.

Do you tend to go for single varietal wines or wine blends? Let me know in the comments!