How to Pronounce French Wine Terms (and sound like a pro)

We’ve all been there. The wine list, whether it’s a book of 50 pages or one card, has a French wine that’s difficult, at best, to pronounce. And let’s face it, ordering a gorgeous glass of le vin from this beautiful country is hard enough to do thanks to each wine designated by its region instead of the name of the primary grape.

What am I drinking?

Cases in point: Your book club friends are in love with Chablis (“Sha-blee”), but what the heck is it? Spoiler alert: it’s Chardonnay (“Shar-duhn-ay”). And that lovely red wine from Chinon (“Shee-nohn”) that your neighbor has been raving about? The grape is Cabernet Franc (“Ka-behr-nay Frahng”). Yep.

Photo Credit: www.winefolly.com

The next time you engage in a bit of fine dining or wander into your favorite wine bar with a thirsty palate, be the boss of that wine list. Instead of pointing to the name of the wine you’d like to try,  practice a few key words I’ve described below ahead of time. It won’t hurt to sound like you know what you’re doing, even though all you truly want is a darn good glass of French wine.

Following are the names of a few popular wine regions in la France and a general tidbit or two about each. This isn’t meant to be inclusive…just a start to help you sort out a few French wines on the list.

Alsace (Ahl-zahss) – Vineyard region located in northeastern France that produces Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Crémant d’Alsace

Beaujolais (Bo-zho-lay) – Region in southern Burgundy that produces the Gamay grape.

Bordeaux (Bor-doh) – Major region that produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and more

Bourgogne (Boor-gohn) – The Burgundy region where you can find Chardonnay, Aligoté, Pinot Noir, and Crémant de Bourgogne

Chablis (Sha-blee) – White wine region located at the northern tip of Burgundy – Chardonnay is cultivated

Champagne (Shawm-pine) – Region found northeast of Paris where Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Petit Meunier are cultivated to produce sparkling wine – Champagne!

Chateauneuf-du-Pape (Sha-toe-nuhf-do-pop) – Located in the southern Rhone Valley where dominant varieties include Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsault

Chinon (Shee-nohng) – Red wine commune in the Coteaux de Touraine district of the Loire Valley where you’ll find Cabernet Franc

Côte  de Nuits (Koht-duh-N’wee) – Northern region of Burgundy where you’ll find Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

Côtes du Rhône (Koht-du-Rohn) – Vineyard region in the Rhone Valley

Graves (Grahv) – A red and white wine district of Bordeaux that produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Semillon, and Sauvignon Blanc

Hermitage (Air-mee-tahzh) – Red wine area in the Northern Rhone Valley producing Syrah

Loire (L’war) Valley – Vineyard area along the Loire River that produces predominantly Muscadet, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Cabernet Franc

Medoc (May-dohk) – The major red wine district of Bordeaux that produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot

Muscadet (Muss-ka-day) – Vineyard region close to the Atlantic Ocean and in the Loire Valley that produces the Melon de Bourgogne grape

Pauillac (Pohl-yahk) – The main parish in the Haut-Medoc area of Bordeaux (see Medoc)

Pomerol (Po-may-rol) – A red wine district of Bordeaux that produces Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon

Pouilly-Fuissé (Poo-yee Fwee-say) – An area in the Maconnais region of Burgundy that produces Chardonnay

Pouilly-Fumé (Poo-yee Foo-may) – Across the river from Sancerre (see below), this area produces Sauvignon Blanc

Sancerre (Sahng-sair) – A vineyard town that produces mostly Sauvignon Blanc and some Pinot Noir in the central Loire Valley

St. Emilion (Seng-tay-meel-yohng) – Red wine district of Bordeaux that produces Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon

Vouvray (Voov-ray) – Located in the Coteaux de Touraine area of the Loire Valley – the Chenin Blanc grape is predominant

Santé! ~ Cindy