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Pronunciation guide

How to pronounce Rhône wine names

The Rhône Valley gives us some of the most-asked pronunciation questions in wine, starting with Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This page covers the main northern and southern Rhône appellations and the three grapes you will see named on the label.

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

Rhône itself is simply “rone”, one syllable. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is shah-toh-nuhf doo PAHP: the “eu” is a rounded “uh” and the stress lands on the final Pape. Côte-Rôtie is koht roh-TEE (“roasted slope”), Hermitage is air-mee-TAHJ with a soft final “zh”, and Condrieu is kohn-dree-UH.

Of the grapes, Syrah is see-RAH, Grenache is greh-NAHSH, and Viognier is vee-own-YAY: the “gn” is a single “ny” sound and the final r is silent.

  1. Côtes du Rhône koht doo ROHN /kot dy ˈron/ French · A regional appellation in Rhône Valley producing red blends primarily from Grenache and Syrah.
  2. Côtes du Rhône Villages KOHT doo ROHN vee-LAZH French · A step up from basic Côtes du Rhône in the southern Rhône Valley of France, covering wines from 95 designated communes with stricter production rules. These Grenache-based red blends offer more concentration, complexity, and character, and 22 villages can add their name to the label.
  3. 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.
  4. Hermitage air-mee-TAHJ /ɛrmiˈtaʒ/ French · A prestigious appellation in northern Rhône known for powerful Syrah reds and Marsanne whites.
  5. Crozes-Hermitage krohz air-mee-TAHJ /kʁoz ɛʁmiˈtaʒ/ French · An appellation in northern Rhône producing approachable Syrah reds and white blends.
  6. Côte-Rôtie koht roh-TEE /kot roˈti/ French · An appellation in northern Rhône known for elegant Syrah wines sometimes co-fermented with Viognier.
  7. Condrieu kohn-dree-UH /kɔ̃dˈrjø/ French · An appellation in northern Rhône known for aromatic Viognier wines with stone fruit and floral notes.
  8. Syrah see-RAH /siˈʁa/ French · A black grape variety producing full-bodied red wines with flavors of blackberry and black pepper.
  9. Grenache greh-NAHSH /ɡʁəˈnaʃ/ French · A black grape variety producing wines with high alcohol and flavors of red fruit and spice.
  10. Viognier vee-own-YAY /vjɔˈɲe/ French · A white grape variety producing aromatic wines with flavors of peach and apricot.

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