Typicity

'''Typicity''' (French ''typicité'', Italian ''tipicità'') is a term in wine tasting used to describe the degree to which a wine reflects its varietal origins and thus demonstrates the signature characteristics of the grape from which it was produced, e.g., how much a Merlot wine “tastes like a Merlot”. It is an important component in judging wine competition when wines of the same variety are judged against each other.<ref name="Oxford pg 716"> J. Robinson (ed) ''"The Oxford Companion to Wine"'' Third Edition pg 716 Oxford University Press 2006 {{ISBN|0-19-860990-6}} </ref>

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 ''Qualitätswein'' (literally "quality wine") is tested for typicity with the classification printed on the wine label.<ref name="Oxford pg 54"> J. Robinson (ed) ''"The Oxford Companion to Wine"'' Third Edition pg 54 Oxford University Press 2006 {{ISBN|0-19-860990-6}} </ref>

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,<ref name="Oxford pg 716"/> opening the door to elitism with what has been criticized by some, such as Sean Thackrey, as ''viticultural racism''.<ref> Allan Bree ''"[http://www.gangofpour.com/bree/profiles/thackrey/thackrey4.html An Afternoon with Sean Thackrey]"'' Califusa's Archive, Gang of Pour Accessed: October 15th, 2008 </ref>

==References== {{portal|wine}} {{reflist}}

Category:Wine tasting