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Pronunciation guide

Wine names for the expert sommelier

Beyond the essentials, a sommelier is expected to say the village names, the crus, the appellation systems and the production terms without hesitation. This list goes deep: Burgundy villages, Bordeaux communes, the Rhône and Loire appellations, Italian DOCGs, German ripeness levels, Spanish ageing terms and the Sherry and Port styles.

83 terms. Each has native audio, IPA, an easy respelling and the meaning on its own page.

The French appellations make up the largest share. Learn the two rules that cover most of them: final consonants are silent, and the stress falls on the last syllable. Italian names stress the second-to-last syllable; Spanish and German names are pronounced as written once you know a few letter sounds.

Each term links to its own page with native audio and IPA. In the Vinolingo app the same terms are tagged as advanced, and spaced repetition brings the ones you miss back until they stick.

  1. Albariño al-bah-REE-nyoh /alβaˈɾiɲo/ Spanish · A white grape variety from Galicia producing aromatic wines with high acidity and stone fruit flavors.
  2. Amarone della Valpolicella ah-mah-ROH-neh DEL-lah vahl-poh-lee-CHEL-lah /amaˈroːne ˈdella ˌvalpoliˈtʃɛlla/ Italian · A DOCG in Veneto producing powerful wines from dried grapes with intense dark fruit flavors.
  3. Asti Spumante AHS-tee spoo-MAHN-teh /ˈasti spuˈmante/ Italian · A DOCG in Piedmont producing sweet sparkling wines from Moscato with grape and floral notes.
  4. Auslese OUS-lay-zuh /ˈaʊsleːzə/ German · German Prädikat for wine from selected bunches of very ripe grapes.
  5. Barbaresco bar-bah-RES-koh /barbaˈresko/ Italian · A DOCG in Piedmont producing elegant Nebbiolo wines with rose and tar notes.
  6. Barbera bar-BEH-rah /barˈbɛːra/ Italian · A black grape variety from Piedmont producing wines with high acidity and cherry flavors.
  7. Barbera d'Asti bar-BEH-rah DAHS-tee /barˈbɛːra ˈdasti/ Italian · A DOCG in Piedmont producing Barbera wines with high acidity and cherry flavors.
  8. Beerenauslese BEAR-en-OUS-lay-zuh /ˈbeːʁənˌaʊsleːzə/ German · German Prädikat for sweet wine from individually selected overripe grapes often affected by noble rot.
  9. Brunello di Montalcino broo-NEL-loh dee mon-tahl-CHEE-noh /bruˈnɛllo di montalˈtʃiːno/ Italian · A DOCG in Tuscany producing powerful Sangiovese wines requiring extended aging.
  10. Carmenère kar-men-AIR /kaʁməˈnɛʁ/ French · A black grape variety originally from Bordeaux now grown primarily in Chile producing wines with green pepper notes.
  11. Cava KAH-vah /ˈkaβa/ Spanish · A DO for traditional method sparkling wines from Spain primarily made in Catalonia.
  12. Châteauneuf-du-Pape shah-toh-nuhf doo PAHP /ʃɑtoˈnœf dy ˈpap/ French · A renowned appellation in southern Rhône known for full-bodied red blends from up to 13 grape varieties.
  13. Chianti Classico kee-AHN-tee KLAHS-see-koh /ˈkjanti ˈklassiko/ Italian · A DOCG in Tuscany producing Sangiovese wines with cherry and earth notes from the historic heart of Chianti.
  14. Condrieu kohn-dree-UH /kɔ̃dˈrjø/ French · An appellation in northern Rhône known for aromatic Viognier wines with stone fruit and floral notes.
  15. Corvina kor-VEE-nah /korˈviːna/ Italian · A black grape variety from Veneto used in Valpolicella and Amarone producing wines with cherry flavors.
  16. Côte-Rôtie koht roh-TEE /kot roˈti/ French · An appellation in northern Rhône known for elegant Syrah wines sometimes co-fermented with Viognier.
  17. Côtes du Rhône koht doo ROHN /kot dy ˈron/ French · A regional appellation in Rhône Valley producing red blends primarily from Grenache and Syrah.
  18. Crianza kree-AHN-thah /kriˈanθa/ Spanish · Spanish aging designation for wine aged minimum 2 years with 6 months in oak.
  19. Crozes-Hermitage krohz air-mee-TAHJ /kʁoz ɛʁmiˈtaʒ/ French · An appellation in northern Rhône producing approachable Syrah reds and white blends.
  20. Cru Bourgeois kroo boor-ZHWAH /kʁy buʁˈʒwa/ French · Classification in Bordeaux for quality estates below Cru Classé level.
  21. Demi-sec duh-mee-SEK /dəmiˈsɛk/ French · Medium-sweet style especially in Champagne with 32-50 g/L residual sugar.
  22. Denominación de Origen deh-noh-mee-nah-thee-OHN deh oh-REE-hen /denominaˈθjon de oˈɾixen/ Spanish · Spanish quality wine designation (DO) with regulated production methods and geographic origin.
  23. Denominación de Origen Calificada deh-noh-mee-nah-thee-OHN deh oh-REE-hen kah-lee-fee-KAH-dah /denominaˈθjon de oˈɾixen kalifiˈkaða/ Spanish · Highest Spanish quality wine designation (DOCa) currently only for Rioja and Priorat.
  24. Denominazione di Origine Controllata deh-noh-mee-nah-tsee-OH-neh dee oh-REE-jee-neh kon-trohl-LAH-tah /denominatˈtsjoːne di oˈriːdʒine kontrolˈlaːta/ Italian · Italian quality wine designation (DOC) with regulated production methods and geographic origin.
  25. Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita deh-noh-mee-nah-tsee-OH-neh dee oh-REE-jee-neh kon-trohl-LAH-tah eh gah-rahn-TEE-tah /denominatˈtsjoːne di oˈriːdʒine kontrolˈlaːta e ɡaranˈtiːta/ Italian · Highest Italian quality wine designation (DOCG) with stricter regulations than DOC.
  26. Eiswein ICE-vine /ˈaɪsvaɪn/ German · Ice wine made from grapes frozen on the vine concentrating sugars and acidity.
  27. Fiano di Avellino fee-AH-noh dee ah-vel-LEE-noh /fiˈaːno di avelˈliːno/ Italian · A DOCG in Campania producing Fiano-based white wines with nut and honey flavors.
  28. Furmint FOOR-mint /ˈfurmint/ Hungarian · A white grape variety from Hungary used in Tokaji producing wines with high acidity and stone fruit flavors.
  29. Gamay gah-MAY /ɡaˈmɛ/ French · A black grape variety from Beaujolais producing light wines with red fruit and banana notes.
  30. Gavi GAH-vee /ˈɡaːvi/ Italian · A DOCG in Piedmont producing Cortese-based white wines with citrus and mineral notes.
  31. Gevrey-Chambertin zhev-RAY shahm-ber-TAN /ʒɛvˈrɛ ʃɑ̃bɛrˈtɛ̃/ French · A prestigious village in Burgundy known for powerful and structured Pinot Noir wines.
  32. Gewürztraminer geh-VURTS-trah-mee-ner /ɡəˈvʏʁtstʁaˌmiːnɐ/ German · An aromatic white grape variety producing wines with distinctive lychee and rose petal aromas.
  33. Glera GLEH-rah /ˈɡlera/ Italian · A white grape variety used to produce Prosecco with apple and pear flavors.
  34. Gran Reserva grahn reh-SAIR-vah /ɡɾan reˈserβa/ Spanish · Spanish aging designation for wine aged minimum 5 years with 18 months in oak.
  35. Grand Cru grahn KROO /ɡʁɑ̃ kʁy/ French · Top-tier vineyard classification in Burgundy and Alsace indicating exceptional terroir.
  36. Halbtrocken HALP-trok-en /ˈhalpˌtʁɔkən/ German · Half-dry style in German wine with 9-18 g/L residual sugar.
  37. Hermitage air-mee-TAHJ /ɛrmiˈtaʒ/ French · A prestigious appellation in northern Rhône known for powerful Syrah reds and Marsanne whites.
  38. Indicazione Geografica Tipica in-dee-kah-tsee-OH-neh jeh-oh-GRAH-fee-kah TEE-pee-kah /indikatˈtsjoːne dʒeoˈɡraːfika ˈtiːpika/ Italian · Italian quality wine designation (IGT) between table wine and DOC with geographic indication.
  39. Kabinett kah-bee-NET /kabiˈnɛt/ German · German Prädikat for wine from fully ripened grapes the lightest category of Prädikatswein.
  40. Margaux mar-GOH /marˈɡo/ French · A commune in Bordeaux known for perfumed and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines.
  41. Méthode traditionnelle may-tohd trah-dee-see-oh-NEL /metɔd tʁadisjɔˈnɛl/ French · Traditional method for producing sparkling wine with second fermentation in bottle.
  42. Meursault mur-SOH /mœrˈso/ French · A village in Burgundy known for rich and buttery Chardonnay wines with nut flavors.
  43. Minervois mee-ner-VWAH /minɛrˈvwa/ French · An appellation in Languedoc producing red wines from Grenache Syrah and Mourvèdre blends.
  44. Montepulciano mon-teh-pool-CHAH-noh /ˌmontepulˈtʃaːno/ Italian · A black grape variety from Abruzzo (not to be confused with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano) producing rustic wines.
  45. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo mon-teh-pool-CHAH-noh dah-BROO-tsoh /ˌmontepulˈtʃaːno daˈbruttso/ Italian · A DOC in Abruzzo producing rustic red wines from Montepulciano grapes with dark fruit flavors.
  46. Moscato d'Asti moh-SKAH-toh DAHS-tee /mosˈkaːto ˈdasti/ Italian · A DOCG in Piedmont producing lightly sparkling sweet wines from Moscato with grape flavors.
  47. Mosel MOH-zel /ˈmoːzəl/ German · A wine region in Germany known for Riesling wines with slate mineral notes and delicate sweetness.
  48. Nuits-Saint-Georges NWEE san ZHORZH /nɥi sɛ̃ ʒɔrʒ/ French · A village in Burgundy known for robust and earthy Pinot Noir wines.
  49. Pauillac poh-YAK /poˈjak/ French · A commune in Bordeaux known for powerful Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines including three first growths.
  50. Pessac-Léognan peh-SAK lay-oh-NYAHN /pɛˈsak leɔˈɲɑ̃/ French · An appellation in Bordeaux known for both red blends and Sauvignon Blanc-Sémillon whites.
  51. Pfalz PFAHLTS /pfalts/ German · A wine region in Germany known for diverse wines including Riesling and Spätburgunder.
  52. Pinotage PIN-oh-tahj /ˈpɪnətɑːʒ/ English · A South African grape variety (Pinot Noir x Cinsault cross) producing wines with smoky and earthy flavors.
  53. Pomerol poh-muh-ROL /pɔməˈrɔl/ French · A small commune in Bordeaux known for Merlot-based wines of great opulence and power.
  54. Pommard poh-MAR /pɔˈmar/ French · A village in Burgundy known for structured and tannic Pinot Noir wines with dark fruit flavors.
  55. Port PORT /pɔrt/ English · A fortified wine from the Douro Valley in Portugal ranging from ruby to tawny styles.
  56. Pouilly-Fuissé poo-yee fwee-SAY /puˈji fɥiˈse/ French · An appellation in southern Burgundy known for rich Chardonnay wines with stone fruit and mineral notes.
  57. Pouilly-Fumé poo-yee foo-MAY /puˈji fyˈme/ French · An appellation in Loire Valley known for Sauvignon Blanc wines with flinty mineral notes.
  58. Pourriture noble poo-ree-toor NOHBL /puʁityʁ nɔbl/ French · Noble rot caused by Botrytis cinerea fungus concentrating sugars and flavors in grapes.
  59. Prädikatswein pray-dee-KAHTS-vine /pʁɛdiˈkaːtsvaɪn/ German · German quality wine category with ripeness-based classifications from Kabinett to Trockenbeerenauslese.
  60. Premier Cru pruh-mee-YAY KROO /prəmje kʁy/ French · First growth vineyard classification in Burgundy indicating superior quality below Grand Cru.
  61. Primitivo pree-mee-TEE-voh /primiˈtiːvo/ Italian · A black grape variety (genetically identical to Zinfandel) from Puglia producing fruity wines with high alcohol.
  62. Priorat pree-oh-RAHT /pɾioˈɾat/ Spanish · A DOCa in Catalonia known for powerful Grenache and Carignan wines from steep slate slopes.
  63. Prosecco proh-SEK-koh /proˈsekko/ Italian · A DOC in Veneto and Friuli producing sparkling wines from Glera with apple and pear notes.
  64. Puligny-Montrachet poo-lee-NYEE mohn-rah-SHAY /pyliˈɲi mɔ̃raˈʃɛ/ French · A prestigious village in Burgundy known for world-class Chardonnay wines with great finesse.
  65. Qualitätswein kvah-lee-TAYTS-vine /kvaliˈtɛːtsvaɪn/ German · German quality wine category above table wine allowing chaptalization.
  66. Recioto reh-CHOH-toh /reˈtʃɔːto/ Italian · A sweet wine style from Veneto made from dried grapes with concentrated fruit flavors.
  67. Reserva reh-SAIR-vah /reˈserβa/ Spanish · Spanish aging designation for wine aged minimum 3 years with 1 year in oak.
  68. Réserve ray-ZAIRV /ʁeˈzɛʁv/ French · Reserve wine indicating special selection or aging though not legally defined in most regions.
  69. Rheingau RHINE-gow /ˈʁaɪnɡaʊ/ German · A wine region in Germany known for full-bodied Riesling and Spätburgunder wines.
  70. Rías Baixas REE-ahs BYE-shahs /ˈrias ˈβajʃas/ Spanish · A DO in Galicia known for Albariño wines with high acidity and stone fruit notes.
  71. Ribera del Duero ree-BEH-rah del DWEH-roh /riˈβeɾa ðel ˈdweɾo/ Spanish · A wine region in Spain known for powerful Tempranillo (Tinto Fino) wines with dark fruit flavors.
  72. Riserva ree-ZAIR-vah /riˈzɛrva/ Italian · Reserve wine in Italy indicating extended aging beyond standard DOC requirements.
  73. Saint-Émilion san-tay-mee-LYOHN /sɛ̃temiˈljɔ̃/ French · A commune in Bordeaux known for Merlot-based wines with richer fruit character.
  74. Sancerre sahn-SAIR /sɑ̃ˈsɛr/ French · An appellation in Loire Valley known for Sauvignon Blanc wines with citrus and mineral notes.
  75. Sémillon say-mee-YOHN /seˈmijɔ̃/ French · A white grape variety from Bordeaux producing wines with lanolin and citrus notes often affected by noble rot.
  76. Soave soh-AH-veh /soˈaːve/ Italian · A DOC in Veneto producing white wines from Garganega with almond and citrus notes.
  77. Spätlese SHPAYT-lay-zuh /ˈʃpɛːtleːzə/ German · A German Prädikat (quality designation) meaning late harvest, indicating grapes picked after the normal harvest at higher ripeness levels. Spätlese wines can range from dry to sweet, with greater body and intensity than Kabinett. Riesling Spätlese is particularly celebrated for its balance of fruit richness and refreshing acidity.
  78. Trocken TROK-en /ˈtʁɔkən/ German · Dry style in German wine with maximum 9 g/L residual sugar.
  79. Trockenbeerenauslese TROK-en-bear-en-OUS-lay-zuh /ˈtʁɔkənbeːʁənˌaʊsleːzə/ German · German Prädikat for intensely sweet wine from individually selected dried grapes affected by noble rot.
  80. Valpolicella vahl-poh-lee-CHEL-lah /ˌvalpoliˈtʃɛlla/ Italian · A DOC in Veneto producing light to medium-bodied red wines from Corvina and other varieties.
  81. Vendange tardive vahn-dahnj tar-DEEV /vɑ̃dɑ̃ʒ taʁˈdiv/ French · Late harvest wine from overripe grapes with concentrated sugars producing sweet or off-dry wines.
  82. Verdicchio ver-DEE-kyoh /verˈdikkjo/ Italian · A white grape variety from Marche producing wines with almond and citrus notes.
  83. Vouvray voo-VRAY /vuˈvrɛ/ French · An appellation in Loire Valley known for Chenin Blanc wines ranging from dry to sweet including sparkling.

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