Wine Glossary...

and how to pronounce it!

Our glossary of wine names and wine-related words includes a brief description of each term and phonetic spelling.

You don't need to speak French, German, Italian or Spanish to help pronounce these words. Try he phonetic rendition. Pronounce the separated syllables as they are written in English. For example, Paris is pronounced Pair-is in English, but in French Paris is pronounced Pa-ree, stressing the final syllable as is usual in French pronunciation.

French chateaux wine producers are listed alphabetically by the name of the chateau and marked with an asterisk (*). For example, "Chateau d'Yquem" is listed as *Yquem (d') and is pronounced Chateau Dee-Kem.

Wine Words - Word Pronunciation

agrafe ah-grahf
Metal cap for secondary fermentation

Aloxe-Corton Ah-lohx-Cor-tohng
Red wine commune in the Cote de Beaune

Alsace Ahl-zahss
Vineyard region in northeastern France

Anjou Ahn-zhoo
Vineyard area in the Loire Valley

Assemblage Ah-sem-blaushj
Blending a still wine before secondary fermentation

Asti Spumante Ah-stee Spoo-mahn-tee
A sparkling white wine from Piedmont

Auslese Owss-leh-zeh
Selected picking of fully-ripened grapes

*Ausone Ow-zo-neh
A First Classified Great Growth in St. Emilion

Auxey-Duresses Ohk-zeh-Du-ress
Small red wine commune in Cote du Beaune

Avignon Ah-veen-yong
Major city of the Cotes du Rhone

Bacchus Ba-kus
The Roman God of Wine

Ban de Vendage Bahn duh Vehng-Dahzh
The prescribed day to start the vintage

Bandol Bahn-dohl
Red wine appellation-Cotes de Provence

Barbaresco Bar-ba-ress-ko
A fine red wine from Piedmont

Barbera Bar-beh-ra
Red wine grape and wine from Piedmont

Bardolino Bar-doh-lee-no
A Veronese red wine

Barolo Ba-ro-lo
A fine red wine from Piedmont

barrique Ba-reek
Bordeaux wine barrel containing 54 gl

Beaujolais Bo-zho-lay
Red wine region of Southern Burgundy

Beaune Bone
The capital of Burgundy

Beerenauslese Beh-ren-owss-leh-zeh
Individually selected overripe grapes

Bellet Bell-lay
Small appellation in Cote de Provence

Bereich Bay-rye'kh
Small district within a Gebeit (Germany)

Bernkastel Behrn-has-tel
The chief vyd city of the Middle Moselle

*Beycheville Baysh-veel
Classified Fourth Growth in Medoc (St. Julien)

Bianco Toscano B'yahn-ko Tohs-ka-no
A dry white wine from Tuscany

Bienvenues B'yeng-vuh-nu
White Grand Cru in Puligny-Montrachet

Blanc Blohng
White

Blanc fume Blohng Fu-may
Sauvignon Blanc as known in the Loire

Blanchot Blawng-sho
Grand Cru in Chablis Chablis

Bocksbeutel Box-boy-tel
Flat sided squat bottle from Franconia

Bonnes-Mares Bun Mar
Red Grand Cru in Chambolle-Musigny

Bordeaux Bor-doh
Major city in the department of Gironde

Bourgogne Aligote Boor-goy'n Ah-lee-go-tae
A lesser wine from the Chablis region

Bougros Boo-gro
Grand Cru in Chablis

Bourgueil Boor-goy
Red wine commune in Cote de Touraine

*Brane-Cantenac Brahn-Kahn-tuh-nahk
A Classified Second Growth in Medoc (Margaux)

Brouilly Broo-yee
The largest commune in Beaujolais

Brut Broot
The driest champagne

Cabernet Franc Ka-behr-nay Frahng
A red wine grape of Bordeaux

*Calon-Segur Ka-lohng Say-goor
Classified Third Growth in Medoc (St. Estephe)

Campania Kahm-pahn-ya
A Department in southern Italy

*Canon Ka-nohng
A first great growth of St. Emilion

*Carbonnieux Kar-bohn-yuh
A Classified Growth in Graves (white)

Cassis Ka-sees
White wine appellation(Cote de Provence)

*Certan-de-May Sair-tahng duh May
A first growth in Pomerol

Chablis Sha-blee
White wine region north of the Cote d'Or

Chaintre Shant-tray
White wine commune in the Cote de Nuits

Chambertin Shawm-behr-tahng
Red Grand Cru in Gevrey-Chambertin

Chambolle-Musigny Shawm-bohl-Moo-seen-yee
Red wine commune in the Cote de Nuits

Champagne Shawm-pine
Vineyard region northeast of Paris

Charmes Sharm
White Premier Cru in Meursault

Chassagne-Montrachet Sha-sign-Mohng-ra-shay
White wine commune in the Cote du Beaune

*Chasse-Spleen Shahss-Spleen
Classified Cru Exceptionnel in Medoc

Chasselas Shahss-la
White grape grown in Pouilly-sur-Loire

chateau sha-toh
A specified viticultural holding

Chenas Shay-na
A commune in Beaujolais

*Cheval Blanc Shuh-vahl Blohng
A first great classified growth in St. Emilion

Chianti K'yahn-tee
The famous red wine from Tuscany

Chinon Shee-nohng
Red wine commune in Coteaux de Touraine

Chiroubles Shee-roobl
A commune in Beaujolais

climat klee-ma
A small vineyard holding in Burgundy

*Climens Klee-men
A classified first growth in Sauternes

Clos (Les) Klo
A Grand Cru in Chablis

Clos de Beze Klo duh Bayz
Red Grand Cru in Gevrey-Chambertin

Clos de Vougeot Klo duh Voo-zho
Red Grand Cru in Vougeot

Clos St. Denis Klo Sahng duh-nee
Red Grand Cru in Morey-St. Denis

commune ko-m'yoon
A delimited vineyard area in Cote d'Or

Condrieu Kohn-dree-yuh
White wine vineyard area Cote du Rhone

Corton (Le) Kor-tohng
Red Grand Cru in Aloxe-Corton

*Cos d'Estournel Kos-dess-toor-nel
A classified second growth in Medoc (St. Estephe)

*Cos-Labory kos-La-bo-ree
A classified fifth growth in Medoc (St. Estephe)

Cote de Beaune Koht duh Bone
The southern region of the cote d'Or

Cote de Beaune Village Koht duh Bone Vee-lahj
Appellation for Cote de Beaune (red)

Cote de Brouilly Koht duh Broo-yee
A superior commune in Beaujolais

Cote Maconnais Koht Ma-ko-nay
North central region, Southern Burgundy

Cote de Nuits Koht duh N'wee
Northern region of the Cote d'Or

Cote de Nuits-Village Koht duh N'wee Vee-lahj
Appellation for Cote de Nuits (red)

Cotes de Provence Koht duh Pro-vawnss
The wine region of Provence

Cote d'Or Koht dor
The heart of the Burgundy region

Cote Rotie Koht ro-tee
Red wine vineyard area in Cote de Beaune

Coteaux de Touraine Ko-toh duh Too-rain
A vineyard area of the Loire

Cotes du Rhone Koht du Rohn
Vineyard region in the Rhone Valley

Coutet Koo-tay
A Classified First Growth in Sauternes

Criots (Les) Cree-yo
White Grand Cru in Puligny-Montrachet

cuvee koo-vay
A specific assemblage (blend)

cuvee koo-vay
The juice from the first pressing

Dordogne Dor-doyn
A tributary of the Gironde River

degorgement day-gorj-mahn
Removing frozen sediment from Champagne

deuxieme taille duhz-yem tie
The third pressing in Champagne (AKA Second Taille)

Dionysus Dee-yo-nye-sus
The Greek god of wine

Dominode (La) Doh-mee-nohd
A red Premier Cru in Savigny

Dom Perignon Dohm Pay-reen-yohng
The Benedictine monk famous in Champagne

dosage de tirage doh-zahzh duh tee-rahzh
Dosage for uniform secondary fermentation

*Ducru-Beaucaillou Doo-kroo-Bo-kye-yoo
A Classified Second Growth in Medoc (St. Julien)

*Durfort-Vivens Dur-for - Vee-vawnss
A Classified Second Growth in Medoc (Margaux)

Eigene Abfullung Eye-geh-neh Ahb-ful-loong
Bottled by the vineyard owner

Einsellage Ine-zel-la-guh
An individual vineyard site in Germany

Eiswein Ice-vine
Perfectly ripened, partially frozen grapes

Emilia-Romagna Ay-meel-ya Ro-mahn-ya
A department in north-central Italy

Enkirch En-korkh
A vineyard village of the Middle Moselle

en primeur ahng pree-mer
The first sale of a chateau-bottled Bordeaux

Entre-Deux-Mers Awn-tru Duh Mair
Lesser red wine district of Bordeaux

Epenots (Les) Eh-peh-no
Red Premier Cru in Pommard

epluchage ay-plu-shahzh
Selecting the perfect grapes in Champagne

Erbach Air-bahkh
A vineyard village of the Rheingau

Echezeaux (Les) Es-sheh-zo
Red Grand Cru in Flagey-Echezeaux

Est! Est!! Est!!! Est Est Est
A delightful white wine from Montefiascone (Italy)

Falerno Fa-lair-no
An ancient red wine from Campania (Italy)

*Falfas Fahl-fa
A Classified Growth in the Cotes de Bourg

Feves (Les) Fev
Red Premier Cru in Beaune

*Figeac Fee-zhahk
A Great Classified Growth in St. Emilion

Fixin Feek-zeng
The northernmost commune in the Cote de Nuits

Flagey-Echezeaux Fla-zhey Eh-sheh-zo
A small red wine commune in the Cote de Nuits

Fleurie Fluh-ree
A commune in Beaujolais

*Fleur-Pourret (La) Flerr Poo-ray
A Classified Principal Growth in St. Emilion

Frascati Fra-ska-tee
A strong red wine from Latium (Italy)

Frecciarossa Frey-cha-ro-sa
"Chateau-bottled" red and white wine (Lombardy)

fuder foo-der
A large wooden cask used in the Moselle

Fuisse Fwee-say
White wine village in the Cote Maconnais

Gamay Ga-may
A red wine grape used mainly in Beaujolais

Garonne Ga-rawn
A tributary of the Gironde River

*Gazin Ga-zeng
A First Growth in Pomerol

Gebeit Geh-bite
A wine-growing region in Germany

Gevrey-Chambertin Zhev-ray Shawn-bair-ten
The largest commune in the Cote de Nuits

Gewurztraminer Guh-verts-tra-mee-ner
A superior quality & spicy winegrape

Gironde Zhee-rawnd
The major river of Bordeaux

Givry Zhee-vree
A commune in the Cote Chalonnais

Goldtropfchen Golt-trupf-shen
The famous vineyard in Piesport (Moselle)

Goutte dOr Goot Dor
White Premier Cru in Meursault

Graach Grahkh
A vineyard village in Middle Moselle

Grand Cru Grahng Kroo
A great growth in Burgundy

Grands Echezeaux (Les) Grahng Es-sheh-zo
Red Grand Cru in Flagey-Echezeaux

Graves Grahv
A red and white wine district of Bordeaux

Gravieres (Les) Grahv-yair
Red Premier Cru in Santenay

Grenouille Gruh-nwee
A Grand Cru in Chablis

Greves (Les) Grev
Red Premier Cru in Beaune

*Grillet Gree-yay
A very small white wine estate in Condrieu (Rhone)

Grosslage Grohss-la-guh
Area formed by neighboring German vineyards

*Gruaud-Larose Gru-oh - La-rose
A Classified Second Growth in Medoc (St. Julien)

Grumello Groo-mel-lo
A fine red wine from Valtellina (Lombardy)

*Guiraud Ghee-ro
A Classified First Growth in Sauternes

*Haut-Bailly Oh-By-yee
A Classified Growth in Graves (red)

*Haut-Brion Oh-Bree-yohng
A Classified First Growth in Graves (red)

Hermitage Air-mee-tahzh
Red wine area in the Cotes du Rhone

Himmelreich Him-mel-rye'kh
The most famous vineyard in Graach (Moselle)

Hipping Hip-ping
Most famous vineyard Nierstein (Rheinhesse)

Hochheim Hohkh-hime
The famous charity hospital in Beaune

Ile des Vergelesses Eel day Vair-zheh-less
Red Premier Cru in Pernand-Vergelesses

Inferno Een-fair-no
A fine red wine from Valtellina (Lombardy)

*Issan (d') Dee-sahng
A Classified Third Growth in Medoc (Margaux)

Johannisberg Yo-ha-ness-bairg
A vineyard town in the Rheingau

Julienas jool-yeh-nahs
A commune in Beaujolais

Kabinett Ka-bee-nett
Basic grade of Qualitatswein Mit Pradikat

Karthauserhofberg Kart-hoy-zer-hohf-bairg
An important estate in Eitelsbach (Saar)

Kellerabfullung Kel-ler-ahb-ful-loonk
Cellar bottling by the shipper

Kupfergrube Koop-fer-groo-beh
An important vineyard in the Nahe

La La
The - feminine in French

Lacryma Christi La-kree-ma Kree-stee
A still and sparkling white wine from Campania

*Lafite-Rothschild La-feet - Rohts-sheeld
A Classified First Growth in Medoc (Pauillac)

*Lafon-Rochet La-fohng - Ro-shay
A Classified Fourth Growth in Medoc (St. Estephe)

Lake Garda Lake Gar-da
Famous lake in Verona

Lambrusco Lahm-broo-sko
A slightly sweet red wine from Emilia

*Lascombes Lahs-kawmb
A Classified Second Growth in Medoc (Margaux)

La Tache La Tahsh
Red Grand Cru in Vosne-Romanee

Latium La-tee-yum
A Department in central Italy

*Latour La-toor
A Classified First Growth in Medoc (Pauillac)

*La Tour Blanche La Toor Blawnsh
A Classified First Growth in Sauternes

Le Luh
The - masculine in French

Leiwen Lie-ven
A vineyard village of the Middle Moselle

Lenchen Len-shen
The most famous vineyard in Oestrich (Rheingau)

Leognan Lay-oh-n'yahng
A principal parish in Graves

*Leoville-Barton Lay-oh-veel Bar-Tohng
A Classified Second Growth in Medoc (St. Julien)

*Leoville-Lascases Lay-oh-veel Lahs-kahz
A Classified Second Growth in Medoc (St. Julien)

*Leoville-Poyfere Lay-oh-veel Pwa-fay-ray
A Classified Second Growth in Medoc (St. Julien)

Les Lay
The - Plural in French

Liebfraumilch Leeb-frow-milkh
The most popular Rhine wine

Liqueur d'expedition Lee-kerr dex-pay-dee-s'yong
The shipping dosage in Champagne

Lirac Lee-rahk
A Vin Rose commune in the Cotes du Rhone

Loire (Valley) L'war
Vineyard area along the Loire River

Lombardy Lom-bar-dee
A Department in northeast Italy

Macon Ma-kohng
The principal town in the Cote Maconnais

Macon Blanc Ma-kohng Blohng
White wine from the Cote Maconnais

Macon-Villages Ma-kohng Vee-lahzh
Finer white wine from the Cote Maconnais

*Magdelaine Mahg-deh-lain
A First Great Classified Growth in St. Emilion

Malbec Mahl-bek
A red wine grape of Bordeaux

*Malbec Mahl-bek
A Classified Growth in Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux

*de Marbuzet Mar-bu-zay
Classified Cru Exceptionnel in Medoc (St. Estephe)

marc mark
Press loading in Champagne totaling four tons

Marche Mar-kay
A Department in east central Italy

Marcobrunn Mar-ko-broon
The most famous vineyard in Erbach (Moselle)

Marconnets (Les) Mar-ko-nay
A red Premier Cru in Beaune

Margaux Mar-go
A principal parish in Haut-Medoc

*Margaux Mar-go
A Classified First Growth in Medoc (Margaux)

Marsala Mar-sa-la
A sweet fortified wine from Sicily

Marseillaise (La) Mar-say-yaze
The French National Anthem

Martillac Mar-teel-yahk
A principal parish in Graves

Maximin Grunhaus Max-zee-min Grun-howss
An important estate in Mertesdorf (Saar)

Mazis-Chambertin Ma-zee Shawm-bair-teng
Red Grand Cru in Gevrey-Chambertin

Medoc May-dohk
The major red wine district of Bordeaux

Mercurey Mair-ku-rey
A commune in the Cote Chalonnais

Merlot Mair-lo
A red wine grape of Bordeaux

Meursault Merr-so
A white wine commune in the Cote de Beaune

*Mission-Haut-Brion Mees-yohng Oh-Bree-yohng
A Classified Growth in Graves (red)

Mit Pradikat Mitt Pray-dee-kaht
Superior grade of Qualitatswein

Montagny Mohng-tahn-yee
A commune in the Cote Chalonnais

Montefiascone Mohn-tee-f'yahs-ko-nay
Vineyard town on Lake Bolsena in Latium

Montrachet (Le) Mohng-ra-shay
White Grand Cru in Puligny-Montrachet

Monthelie Mohng-tay-lee
Small red wine commune in the Cote de Beaune

*Montrose Mohng-rose
A Classified Second Growth in Medoc (St. Estephe)

Monts des Milieu Mohng day Meel-yuh
A Premier Cru in Chablis

Morey-St. Denis Mo-ray Sahng Duh-nee
Small red wine commune in the Cote de Nuits

Morgon More-gong
A commune in Beaujolais

Moselblumchen Mo-sel-bloom-chen
A blended wine - "little flower of the Moselle"

Moulin-a-Vent Moo-leng-ah-Veng
The best known commune in Beaujolais

*Mouton-Rothschild Moo-tohng - roht-sheel
A Classified Second Growth in Medoc (Pauillac)

Muscadet Muss-ka-day
Vineyard region of the Loire Valley

Musigny (Les) Mu-zeen-yee
Red Grand Cru in Chambolle-Musigny

Nahe Na-heh
A vineyard area of the Rhine

Nebbiolo Nebb-yo-lo
A red wine grape of Italy

Negociant Nay-hohs-yahng
A wine shipper

Nierstein Neer-shtine
A vineyard village of the Rheinhesse

Nuits St. Georges N'wee Seng-Zhorzh
A red wine commune in the Cote de Nuits

Oestrich Err-strich
A vineyard village of the Rheingau

*Olivier Oh-leev-yay
A Classified Growth in Graves (white)

Oppenheim Ohp-pen-hime
A vineyard village of the Rheinhesse

Orvieto Abbocatto Orv-yay-toh Ahb-bo-ka-toh
Slightly fruity white wine from Umbria

Orvieto Secco Orv-yay-toh Sek-ko
Dry white wine from Umbria

Palatinate\Rheinpfalz Pa-la-tee-nate
A vineyard area of the Rhine

Palette Pa-let
A red wine appellation in Cotes de Provence

*Palmer Pahl-mair
A Classified Third Growth in Medoc (Margaux)

paniers pahn-yay
Baskets used by grape pickers in Champagne

*Pape Clement Pahp Clay-mohng
A Classified Growth in Graves (red)

Passe-tous-Grains Pahss-too-Greng
A red wine made from both Pinot Noir and Gamay

Pauillac Pohl-yahk
A principal parish in the Haut-Medoc

*Pavie Pa-vee
A First Great Classified Growth in St. Emilion

Pernand-Vergelesses Pair-nahng Vair-zhuh-less
A red wine commune in the Cote de Beaune

Pessac Pess-sahk
A principal parish in Graves

Petit Chablis Puh-tee Sha-blee
A lesser appellation in Chablis

*Petit-Village Puh-tee Vee-lahzh
A First Growth in Pomerol

*Petrus Pay-truss
A Great First Growth in Pomerol

*Phelan-Segur Fay-lahng Say-gur
A Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel in Medoc (St. Estephe)

Phylloxera Fy-lox-eh-ra
Native American plant (root) lice

*Pichon-Lalande Pee-shohng La-lahnd
A Classified Second Growth in Medoc (Pauillac)

*Pichon-Longueville Pee-shohng Long-veel
A Classified Second Growth in Medoc (Pauillac)

Piedmont Peed-mont
A Department in northeast Italy

Pinot Noir Pee-no N'war
The noble red grape of Burgundy

*Piron Pee-rohng
A Classified Principal Growth in Graves

Pomerol Po-may-rol
A red wine district of Bordeaux

Pommard Po-mar
The best known commune in the Cote de Beaune

Pouilly-Fuisse Poo-yee Fwee-say
Famous white wine from the Cote Maconnais

Pouilly-Fume Poo-yee Foo-may
The important wine from the Loire Valley

Pouilly-Loche Poo-yee Lohsh
White wine commune in the Cote Maconnais

Pouilly-sur-Loire Poo-yee sur L'war
White wine vineyard town in the Loire Valley

Pouilly-Vinzelles Poo-yee Veng-zel
White wine commune in the Cote Maconnais

Premeaux Pray-mo
Red wine commune in the Cote de Nuits

premiere taille Pruh-m'yair tie
The second pressing in Champagne

Preuses (Les) Pruhz
A Grand Cru in Chablis

Provence Pro-vengss
The vineyard region of the French Riviera

Puligny-Montrachet Pu-leen-yee Mohng-ra-shay
White wine commune in the Cote de Beaune

pupitres pu-peetr
Slanting cellar racks (riddling) used in Champagne

Qualitatswein Kua-lee-taits-vine
Quality German table wine

Quarts de Chaume Kar duh Showm
Small white wine appellation in Anjou-Saumur

Quincy Keng-see
Small vineyard town in the central Loire

*Rauzan-Gassies Row-sahng Fas-see
A Classified Second Growth in Medoc (Margaux)

*Rausan-Segla Row-sahng Say-gla
A Classified Second Growth in Medoc (Margaux)

*Rayne-Vigneau (de) Rain-veen-yo
A Classified First Growth in Sauternes

rebeche ruh-besh
The fourth pressing in Champagne

remuage ruh-m'wahzh
Jiggling? Champagne in secondary fermentation

Reuilly Roy-yee
Small vineyard town in the central Loire

Rheims Rengss
The capital of the Champagne region

Rheingau Rine-gow
A vineyard area of the Rhine

Rheinhesse Rine-hess-seh
A vineyard area of the Rhine

Rheinpfalz/Palatinate Rine-pfahlz
A vineyard area of the Rhine

Richebourg (Le) Reesh-boorg
Red Grand Cru in Vosne-Romanee

Riesling Rees-ling
The noble grape in Alsace and Germany

*Rieussec R'yuh-sek
A Classified First Growth in Sauternes

Romanee (La) Ro-ma-nay
Red Grand Cru in Vosne-Romanee

Romanee-Conti (La) Ro-ma-nay Kohn-tee
Red Grand Cru in Vosne-Romanee

Romanee-St. Vivant Ro-ma-nay Seng-Vee-vahng
Red Grand Cru in Vosne-Romanee

Rose d'Anjou Ro-zay dahn-zhoo
A vin rose from Anjou (Loire)

Rotenfels Ro-ten-fels
An important vineyard in the Nahe

Rudesheim Roo-dess-hime
Westernmost vineyard village of the Rheingau

Rudesheimer Berg Roo-dess-him-er Bairg
Finest vineyards in Rudesheim (Rheingau)

Rugiens (Les) Ru-zheng
Red Premier Cru in Pommard

Rully Ru-yee
A commune in the Cote Chalonnais

Ruwer Ru-ver
A vineyard area of the Upper Moselle

Saar Zar
A vineyard area of the Upper Moselle

Saint-Amour Seng Ta-moor
The northernmost commune in Beaujolais

*Saint-Marc Sahng-mar
A Classified Great Growth in Barsac (Sauternes)

*Ste. Roseline Sahnt Rose-leen
The foremost chateau-bottled vin rose (Provence)

Sancerre Sahng-sair
A vineyard town in the central Loire Valley

Santenay Sahng-tuh-nay
Southernmost commune in the Cote de Beaune

Santenote (Les) Sahn-tuh-no
Red Premier Cru in Volnay

Sassella Sahs-sel-la
A red wine from Valtellina (Lombardy)

Saumur So-mur
An important white wine of the Loire

Sauternes So-tairn
White wine region of Bordeaux

Sauvignon Blanc So-vee-yohng Blahng
Major white wine grape of Graves

Savennieres Sa-ven-yair
A small appellation in Anjou-Saumur

Savigny-les-Beaune Sa-veen-yee-lay-Bone
Red wine commune in the Cote de Beaune

Scharzhof Sharts-hohf
A famous estate in Wiltingen (Saar)

Schloss Johannisberg Shlohss Yo-ha-nis-bairg
Most famous vineyard of Johannisberg (Rheingau)

Schloss Vollrads Shlohss fohl-rahts
Most famous vineyard of Winkel (Rheingau)

Sec Sek
Very Sweet

Semillon Say-meel-yohng
Major grape of the Sauternes

Sicily Sis-sil-ly
Island Department at southern tip of Italy

Soave So-ah-vay
A Veronese white wine

Solutre So-lu-tray
White wine village in the Cote Maconnais

Sonnenuhr Zoh-nen-oor
Most famous vineyard in Wehlen (Moselle)

Spatlese Shpayt-leh-seh
Late-picked fully-ripened grapes

Steinberg Shtine-bairg
Most famous vineyard in Hattenheim (Rheingau)

Steinwein Shtine-Vine
The generic name for Franconian wines

St. Emilion Seng-tay-meel-yohng
Red wine district of Bordeaux

St. Estephe Seng-tes-teff
A principal parish in the Haut-Medoc

St. Julien Seng zhul-yeng
A principal parish in the Haut-Medoc

Strasbourg Strahss-boorg
The capital of Alsace

Sylvaner Sil-va-ner
White wine grape used in Alsace and Germany

Syrah See-ra
Red wine grape of the Cotes du Rhone

Tafelwein Tah-fel-vine
Ordinary German table wine

*Talbot Tahl-bo
A Classified Fourth Growth in Medoc (St. Julien)

Talence Ta-lawnce
A principal parish in Graves

*Tastes (de) Tahst
A Classified Growth in Sainte-Croix-du-Mont

Tavel Ta-vel
Vin Rose commune in the Cotes du Rhone

Teurons (Les) Toor-ohng
Red Premier Cru in Beaune

Tiergarten Teer-gar-ten
An important vineyard in Trier (Ruwer)

Traminer Tra-min-ner
White wine grape used mainly in Alsace

Trier Tree-yer
An important city on the Moselle

Trockenbeeren Tro-ken-be-ren
Semi-dried or shriveled grapes

Tuscany Tuss-ca-nee
A Department in central Italy

Umbria Oom-bree-ya
A west central Department of Italy

Valmur Vahl-mur
A Grand Cru in Chablis

Valpolicella Vahl-po-lee-chel-la
Veronese red wine

Valtellina Vahl-tel-lee-na
A red wine region in northern Lombardy

Vaudesir Vo-day-zeer
A Grand Cru in Chablis

Verdicchio Vair-deek-yo
A pale white wine from Marche

Vergisson Vair-zhee-sohng
A white wine village in the Cote Maconnais

Verona Veh-ro-na
A Department in Northern Italy

*Vieux-Chateau-Certan V'yuh Sha-toh Sair-tahng
A Great First Growth in Pomerol

Villefranche Veel-frawnsh
Main city of Beaujolais

Vino dell'Elba Vee-no del El-ba
A light white wine from Elba (Tuscany)

Vin Santo Veen Sahn-toh
A white dessert wine from Tuscany

Voignier Vwahm-yay
White wine grape of the Cotes du Rhone

Volnay Vohl-nay
Red wine commune in Cote de Beaune

Volnay-Santenots Vohl-nay Sahn-tuh-no
Red Premier Cru in Volnay

Vosges (Mountains) Vohzh
Mountains on western border of Alsace

Vosne-Romanee Vone Ro-ma-nay
Red wine commune in the Cote de Nuits

Vougeot Voo-zhoh
Red wine commune in the Cote de Nuits

Vouvray Voov-ray
Important white wine in the Coteaux de Touraine

Wehlen Veh-len
A vineyard village of the Rheingau

Wurzburg Vurts-boorg
The main city of Franconia

*Yquem (d') Dee-Kem
The Classified Superior first Growth (Sauternes)

Zell Tsell
A vineyard village of the Middle Moselle

Zeller Schwarze Katz Tsell-er Shvar-tseh Kahtz
The "black cat" wine from Zell (Moselle)

Zeltinger Tsel-ting-er
A large vineyard town on the Moselle

GLOSSARY OF SPANISH WINE TERMS

Bodega -
A winery or large winery building where wines are matured and stored; a wine cellar; a small wine shop.

Bodeguero -
A bodega owner; winemaker

Brut -
A dry sparkling wine

Cava -
Sparkling wine made by the methode champenoise technique as in Champagne; a
winery which makes sparkling wines.

Consejo Regulador -
The regulatory agency which governs each denominacion de origen and promotes the wines of that region.

Cosecha -
Vintage; harvest. Cosecha 1992, etc.

Crianza, Vino de -
Wine aged in accordance with the regulations set by the consejo regulador (regulatory council) for each denominacion de origen.

Denominacion de Origen (DO) -
Denomination of Origin. Guarantee of origin.

Dulce -
Sweet

Elaborado por -
Produced, matured by.

Embotellado por -
Bottled by

Flor - (flower)
Yeast which grows on the surface of fine sherries.

Jerez -
Sherry. Jerez de la Frontera, the main town of the Sherry district.

Reserva & Gran Reserva -
Reserve wines. Can only carry this designation if certain aging requirements are met.

Seco -
Dry. (Blanco Seco = Dry White)

Solera -
A complicated network of barrels used to make Sherry, Montilla, Condados, and other fortified wines.

Uva -
Grape.

Vendimia -
The whole process of bringing in the grapes to be made into wine. The vintage.

Vino de calidad (Quality wine)
Must come from a DO or DE. Only wine made from the free-run or lightly pressed juice of ripe healthy grapes, which has undergone a temperature controlled fermentation, qualifies.

Vino de cosecha, or vendimia
Wines of a particular vintage year. In special cases, if the purpose is to improve the quality of the wine, a maximum of 15% of wine of a previous year may be added.

Vina, Vinedo -
Vineyard.

Vino Blanco -
White wine.

Vino Fino de Mesa -
Fine table wine.

Vino Rosado -
Rose or blush wine

Vino Tinto -
Red wine.

Vino Generoso -
Special aged dry or sweet wines of higher alcoholic strength than table wines. From the Latin term for excellence. Sherries are vinos generosos.

 

 

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