Amphora

An earthenware vessel used by the ancient Greeks and other Mediterranean people to store and ship wine. An amphora was oval in shape, with two large handles at the top for carrying and a pointed bottom so that the vessel could be pushed into the soft earth where it would remain upright. Amphorae range in size from that of a milk can to a refrigerator.

What is the difference between a variety and a varietal?

A. A variety is a grape that occurred spontaneously in Nature; a varietal is a grape that was intentionally created by scientists or researchers

B. A variety is a grape; a varietal is a wine

C. A variety belongs to the European species vinifera; a varietal belongs to any one of several north American species

D. There is no difference; the words are interchangeable

Variety refers to a grape. A vineyard, for example, might be planted with the variety cabernet sauvignon. A varietal refers to the wine made from a given variety. So, in a wine shop, you can buy a bottle of the varietal cabernet sauvignon which is made from the variety cabernet sauvignon.

“Four persons are wanted to make a salad—a spendthrift for oil, a miser for vinegar, a counselor for salt and a madman to stir it all up.”

—James Beard (1949), Fireside Cookbook

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