Typicity

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Typicity is a term in wine tasting used to describe the degree to which a wine reflects its varietal origins, and thus demonstrate the signature characteristics of the grape from which it was produced, i.e., how much a merlot wine “tastes like a merlot”.

In some countries, such as Austria, typicity is used as part of a qualitative hierarchy that takes into consideration soil, climate and vintage. (A similar concept to the French terroir, though slightly less controversial) Austrian Qualitatswein (literally "quality wine") is tested for typicity with the classification printed on the wine label.

As a concept, typicity relies on both historical precedent and a sentiment of what the present day majority view how a certain variety should “taste”. This can be considered a subjective and unreliable way to measure wine, opening the door to elitism with what has been criticized by some as viticultural racism.

French typicité, Italian tipicità