Pinot What? How To Pronounce Wine Names - Yahoo

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Need a wine cheat sheet? Don’t get stumped by a wine list ever again with our quickie guide.

Pinot NoirPronunciation: pee-no nwahrTypical flavors: Cherry, violet, earth, and mushroomBest-known regions: Burgundy, France; Sonoma, California; Willamette Valley, Oregon; Central Otago, New ZealandFun fact: It’s known as the “heartbreak grape” because its thin skin makes it hard to grow.

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SyrahPronunciation: sir-AHTypical flavors: Blackberry, currant, raspberry, black pepper, and black oliveBest-known regions: Rhone Valley, France; Barossa, AustraliaFun fact: Australians call it Shiraz. It’s the same grape, but the warm weather down under produces a heavier, fruitier style.

Cabernet FrancPronunciation: ka-burr-nay fronkTypical flavors: Red berry, red plum, and green bell peppersBest-known regions: Bordeaux and the Loire Valley, France; North Fork, Long IslandFun fact: When crossed with Sauvignon Blanc, it produces Cabernet Sauvignon.

MerlotPronunciation: mur-LOWTypical flavors: Plum, blueberry, rose, and cinnamonBest-known regions: Bordeaux, France; Columbia Valley and Horse Heaven Hills, WashingtonFun fact: Despite being the basis for some of the greatest Bordeaux wines in the world, sales of Merlot plummeted after Paul Giamatti’s character in the film Sideways screamed that he wouldn’t drink any “bleep”ing Merlot.

SangiovesePronunciation: san-joe-VAY-sayTypical flavors: Bitter cherry, strawberry, violets, and spiceBest-known region: Tuscany, ItalyFun fact: Sangiovese is the main grape in Chianti wines; some modern Tuscan winemakers often blend in Cabernet Sauvignon. Considered some of the best Italian wines, they’re nicknamed Super Tuscans.

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MalbecPronunciation: MAL-beckTypical flavors: Black fruits, plum, and black cherryBest-known region: Mendoza, ArgentinaFun fact: It used to be one of the five main grapes in Bordeaux, but it gets a lot of disease so they pretty much kicked it out.

Photo: StockFood / Braun, Stefan

Sauvignon BlancPronunciation: SO-vin-nyon blahnkTypical characteristics: Tangy pink grapefruit, flint, bell pepper, and green grassBest-known regions: Loire Valley and Bordeaux, France; Marlborough, New ZealandFun fact: In the 1960s, the Sauvignon Blanc being made in America wasn’t very good. When Robert Mondavi starting producing it well, he called it Fumé Blanc to help with the marketing. Sales were great!

ChardonnayPronunciation: shar-dun-nayTypical characteristics: Yellow apples and vanillaBest-known regions: Burgundy and Champagne, France; Napa and Sonoma, CaliforniaFun fact: When you taste a “buttery” Chardonnay, that quality comes from the oak it was aged in, not the grape.

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RieslingPronunciation: Reez-lingTypical characteristics: Apricot, peach, and petrolBest-known regions: Germany; Alsace; the Finger Lakes, New YorkFun fact: Rieslings range from sweet to completely dry—the style usually depends on the area where it’s grown.

TempranilloPronunciation: tem-pra-NEE-yoTypical flavors: Dried cherry, tobacco, and wild strawberriesBest-known regions: Rioja and Ribeira del Duero, SpainFun fact: Tempranillo means “little early one,” so nicknamed because the grapes ripen early.

Gewurztraminer grapes. Photo: StockFood / Siffert, Hans-Peter

GewurztraminerPronunciation: guh-VERTS-tra-meanerTypical flavors: Lychee, mango, passion fruit, ginger, gingerbread, nutmeg, and cloveBest-known regions: Alsace; Germany, where it’s drier and less aromaticFun fact: Gewurztraminer is one of the most aromatic grapes, and has the same aroma compounds as lychees.

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Alyssa Vitrano is a wine expert with certification in Viticulture & Vinification and Blind Tasting from the American Sommelier Association. She is also the founder of Grapefriend.com, a website that combines her love of the grape and pop culture.

More wine wisdom from Alyssa Vitrano:

Bubbly (good bubbly) under $20

How not to embarrass yourself ordering wine

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