Generic

English term (also Generic Wine, German Gattungswein) for a type of wine that, in contrast to a Varietal (varietal wine), usually contains a place or regional name. Especially in the USA and Australia, this was previously abused excessively, with wines being labeled as Chablis, Champagne, Chianti, Burgundy (Burgund), Madeira, Portwine, Rhine (Rhein), Sauterne (Sauternes), Sherry, and Tokayer (Tokajer) despite having nothing to do with the originals in terms of origin and grape varieties. In California, the term Proprietary Blend is also commonly used for this.

A semi-generic designation refers to the use of a geographical term from a foreign country when it is accompanied by the true geographical origin. An example is "Napa Valley Champagne." Before the American Prohibition (1920-1933), even Château were used without scruples.

To read the full text, you must be a Premium Member of wein.plus. You are currently not logged in to wein.plus. Become a Premium Member or log in with your credentials .

Become a Premium Member of wein.plus

Voices of our members

wein.plus is a handy, efficient guide to a quick overview of the colourful world of wines, winegrowers and grape varieties. In Wine lexicon, the most comprehensive of its kind in the world, you will find around 26,000 keywords on the subject of grape varieties, wineries, wine-growing regions and much more.
Roman Horvath MW
Domäne Wachau (Wachau)

Generic

To read the full text, you must be a Premium Member of wein.plus. You are currently not logged in to wein.plus. Become a Premium Member or log in with your credentials .

Voices of our members

The world's largest Lexicon of wine terms.

EVENTS NEAR YOU

Welcome back!

Generic

To read the full text, you must be a Premium Member of wein.plus. You are currently not logged in to wein.plus. Become a Premium Member or log in with your credentials .

Voices of our members

The world's largest Lexicon of wine terms.

EVENTS NEAR YOU