A couple days ago we sent out an email asking for nominations for the most difficult-to-pronounce wine words. From the response, we’ve come to a pretty sad conclusion: There are a whole lot of wines NOT being ordered because no one knows how to say their names.
I have to admit, there have been plenty of times that I’ve snubbed a wine on a restaurant list because trying to say the name out loud would be humiliating. But I don’t ignore hard-to-pronounce wines anymore. First – because I don’t embarrass as easily as I once did. Second – because pointing works just fine.
Still, I like to sound informed and sophisticated. (Okay, call me shallow…It’s not how much I actually know that counts. It’s how much other people THINK I know!) If you want to sound knowledgeable next time you order one of these thirteen wines, here are their pronunciations.
Albariño ahl-bah-REE-nyoh
Amarone ah-mah-ROH-neh
Châteauneuf-du-Pape ha-toh-nuhf-doo-PAHP
Gewürztraminer guh-VURTS-trah-mee-ner
Grüner Veltliner GROO-ner FELT-lee-ner
Mâcon Villages mah-KAWN vee-LAHZH
Picpoul PEEK-pool
Pinotage pee-noh-TAHJ
Pouilly-Fuissé poo-yee-fwee-SAY
Sangiovese san-joh-VAY-zeh
Tempranillo tem-prah-NEE-yoh
Vinho Verde VEEN-yoh VEHR-deh
Viognier vee-oh-NYAY
Although it didn’t make anyone else’s list, here’s a wine name that I always have trouble with: Vernaccia di San Gimignano. I think this one deserves a trip to Italy. I’ll get back to you with the correct pronunciation upon my return.
By Saucy Sis 1
