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Pronunciation guide

Wine names every sommelier should pronounce correctly

If you present wine at a table, sell it in a shop or talk about it on camera, these are the names you cannot get wrong. This is the core list: the classic grape varieties, the regions behind them, and the label terms for sweetness, ageing and quality.

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

Most of these are French, and two rules cover almost all of them: the final consonant is usually silent, and the stress falls on the last syllable. The Italian names stress the second-to-last syllable; the Spanish and German ones are pronounced as written once you know a handful of letter sounds.

Each term links to its own page with native audio, the IPA and the mistakes people make most often. In the Vinolingo app the same terms are tagged as essentials, and the speaking exercise scores your pronunciation.

  1. Alsace al-ZASS /alˈzas/ French · A wine region in northeastern France known for aromatic white wines especially Riesling and Gewürztraminer.
  2. Barolo bah-ROH-loh /baˈrɔːlo/ Italian · A prestigious DOCG in Piedmont producing age-worthy Nebbiolo wines with tar and rose flavors.
  3. Beaujolais boh-zhoh-LAY /boʒoˈlɛ/ French · A wine region in southern Burgundy known for light red wines made from Gamay using carbonic maceration.
  4. Bordeaux bor-DOH /bɔrˈdo/ French · A major wine region in southwest France known for blended red wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
  5. Brut BROOT /bʁyt/ French · A dry style of sparkling wine with minimal residual sugar typically less than 12 g/L.
  6. Burgundy BUR-gun-dee /ˈbɜːrɡəndi/ English · A major wine region in eastern France known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines with vineyard-specific terroir expression.
  7. Cabernet Sauvignon kab-er-NAY so-vin-YAWN /kabɛʁnɛ soviˈɲɔ̃/ French · A black grape variety known for producing full-bodied red wines with high tannins and flavors of blackcurrant and cedar.
  8. Chablis shah-BLEE /ʃaˈbli/ French · A wine region in northern Burgundy known for unoaked Chardonnay with mineral and citrus notes.
  9. Champagne shahm-PAHN-yuh /ʃɑ̃ˈpaɲ/ French · A wine region in northern France famous for sparkling wines made using the traditional method.
  10. Chardonnay shar-doh-NAY /ʃaʁdɔˈnɛ/ French · A white grape variety known for producing versatile wines ranging from crisp and mineral to rich and buttery.
  11. Chenin Blanc SHEN-in BLAHNG /ʃənɛ̃ ˈblɑ̃/ French · A white grape variety producing versatile wines ranging from dry to sweet with high acidity.
  12. Chianti kee-AHN-tee /ˈkjanti/ Italian · A wine region in Tuscany known for Sangiovese-based red wines with cherry and tomato notes.
  13. Grenache greh-NAHSH /ɡʁəˈnaʃ/ French · A black grape variety producing wines with high alcohol and flavors of red fruit and spice.
  14. Malbec mal-BEK /malˈbɛk/ French · A black grape variety producing dark red wines with soft tannins and flavors of blackberry and plum.
  15. Merlot mer-LOH /mɛʁˈlo/ French · A black grape variety producing medium to full-bodied red wines with soft tannins and flavors of plum and chocolate.
  16. Nebbiolo neb-BYOH-loh /nebˈbjɔːlo/ Italian · A black grape variety from Piedmont producing age-worthy wines with high tannins and flavors of tar and roses.
  17. Pinot Grigio PEE-noh GREE-joh /ˈpiːnoʊ ˈɡriːdʒoʊ/ Italian · A white grape variety (same as Pinot Gris) producing light-bodied wines with citrus and mineral notes.
  18. Pinot Noir PEE-noh NWAR /pino ˈnwaʁ/ French · A black grape variety producing elegant red wines with delicate tannins and flavors of red cherry and earth.
  19. Riesling REES-ling /ˈriːslɪŋ/ German · A white grape variety producing aromatic wines ranging from dry to sweet with high acidity and flavors of stone fruit and petrol.
  20. Rioja ree-OH-hah /rjoxa/ Spanish · A major wine region in Spain known for Tempranillo-based red wines aged in American and French oak.
  21. Sangiovese san-joh-VAY-zay /sandʒoˈveːze/ Italian · A black grape variety from Italy producing wines with high acidity and flavors of cherry and tomato.
  22. Sauternes soh-TERN /soˈtɛrn/ French · A wine region in Bordeaux known for sweet wines made from Sémillon affected by noble rot.
  23. Sauvignon Blanc so-vin-yawn BLAHNG /soviɲɔ̃ ˈblɑ̃/ French · A white grape variety known for producing crisp wines with high acidity and flavors of gooseberry and grass.
  24. Syrah see-RAH /siˈʁa/ French · A black grape variety producing full-bodied red wines with flavors of blackberry and black pepper.
  25. Tempranillo tem-prah-NEE-yoh /tempɾaˈniʝo/ Spanish · A black grape variety from Spain producing medium to full-bodied wines with flavors of strawberry and leather.
  26. Viognier vee-own-YAY /vjɔˈɲe/ French · A white grape variety producing aromatic wines with flavors of peach and apricot.

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