Cultivar

Intermediate Grapes & Varieties

Definition

A cultivated plant variety selected for desirable characteristics.

In Depth

Technically more precise than 'variety' in botanical nomenclature. Chardonnay, Merlot, and Riesling are all cultivars of Vitis vinifera. The term is common in South Africa and academic literature. In casual wine usage, 'variety,' 'varietal' (as noun), and 'cultivar' are used interchangeably, though purists distinguish between them.

Details

Category
Grapes & Varieties
Difficulty
Intermediate

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