What are "varietal wines"?

Varietal wines are specifically defined as those that are labeled with the name of the predominant grape variety used in their production. This labeling practice helps consumers understand the primary flavor profile and characteristics that can be expected from the wine. For instance, a wine labeled as "Cabernet Sauvignon" prominently features that grape variety, reflecting its unique attributes such as aroma, taste, and structure.

The other options refer to different categorization methods in the wine industry. Blended wines, for instance, incorporate multiple grape varieties to create complex flavor profiles that may not align with a single varietal's characteristics. Wines produced in a specific region, on the other hand, focus on geographical designations (like Bordeaux or Napa Valley) rather than grape varieties. Lastly, wines designated for export usually emphasize international markets rather than varietal classification. Thus, the focus on grape variety is what distinctly marks varietal wines, making the identification of this characteristic particularly important in the context of wine classification.