Walk into any wine bar, and you’ll hear it immediately: the confident mispronunciation of wine terms that makes sommeliers cringe and wine enthusiasts quietly correct under their breath. From French appellations to Italian varietals, the world of wine is filled with words that trip up even the most well-intentioned oenophiles. The truth is, most of us have been saying these wine words wrong our entire lives, and we’re not alone.

Whether you’re trying to impress a date, navigate a restaurant wine list, or simply sound knowledgeable at your local wine shop, mastering these pronunciations will elevate your wine game instantly. Here are twelve wine words that practically everyone pronounces incorrectly, along with the proper way to say them.

1. Gewürztraminer

Wrong: “Geh-WURTZ-tra-miner” or “Gah-WURTZ-tra-miner”
Right: “guh-VURTS-trah-mee-ner”

This aromatic white wine grape’s name strikes fear into the hearts of wine drinkers everywhere. The German word literally means “spiced Traminer,” but that doesn’t make it any easier to pronounce. The key is to soften that initial “G” sound and roll through the “VURTS” portion smoothly. Many people get hung up on the “ü” sound, which is closer to a “u” as in “put” rather than “oo” as in “boot.”

Gewürztraminer is known for its intensely floral and spicy characteristics, and ironically, its complex pronunciation matches its complex flavor profile perfectly.

2. Viognier

Wrong: “Vee-oh-NEER” or “VEE-og-nier”
Right: “vee-oh-NYAY”

This French white wine grape consistently stumps English speakers who want to pronounce every letter they see. The final “r” is silent, as is common in French, and that ending should sound like “nyay” rather than “neer.” Think of it as “Vee-oh-NYAY” with a slight nasal quality on that final syllable.

Viognier produces full-bodied white wines with stone fruit flavors and floral aromatics, primarily grown in France’s Northern Rhône Valley and increasingly popular in California and Australia.

3. Côtes du Rhône

Wrong: “Coats doo RONE” or “COAT-es doo RONE”
Right: “coat doo RONE”

The circumflex accent over the “ô” in Côtes is your clue that this isn’t pronounced like “coats” (the plural of coat). Instead, it’s a single “coat” sound. Many English speakers add an “s” sound at the end of “Côtes,” but in French, that final “s” is silent. The “Rhône” part is straightforward enough, but make sure to give it that nasal French “n” sound.

This appellation covers a large area in France’s Rhône Valley and produces both red and white wines, with reds typically being blends dominated by Grenache and Syrah.

4. Sangiovese

Wrong: “San-gee-oh-VEEZ” or “San-jee-oh-VEEZ”
Right: “san-joh-VAY-zeh”

Italian wine words follow Italian pronunciation rules, not English ones. The “gi” combination in Italian makes a “j” sound (like in “journal”), and the final “e” is pronounced. Think “san-joh-VAY-zeh” with equal emphasis on each syllable, rather than the common English tendency to stress the third syllable heavily.

Sangiovese is Italy’s most planted wine grape and the primary grape in Chianti, producing wines with bright acidity and cherry flavors that pair beautifully with tomato-based dishes.

5. Pouilly-Fuissé

Wrong: “POO-lee FOO-see” or “Pooh-LEE Foo-SAY”
Right: “poo-YEE fwee-SAY”

This Burgundian white wine appellation trips up wine lovers with its double-barreled pronunciation challenge. The first part, “Pouilly,” should flow as “poo-YEE” with that characteristic French “y” sound. “Fuissé” is pronounced “fwee-SAY,” not “foo-see” as many assume. The liaison between the two words should be smooth, almost like one long word.

Pouilly-Fuissé produces some of Burgundy’s finest Chardonnays, known for their mineral complexity and aging potential.

6. Sancerre

Wrong: “San-SAIR” or “SAN-ser-ee”
Right: “sahn-SAIR”

The most common mistake with Sancerre is pronouncing the first syllable like “San” (as in San Francisco). In French, it’s more like “sahn” with a soft “a” sound. The ending is a crisp “SAIR” sound, not “ser-ee.” Remember, there’s no “ee” sound at the end.

Sancerre is a Loire Valley appellation famous for its Sauvignon Blanc wines, which showcase the grape’s mineral-driven potential when grown in limestone and flint soils.

7. Brunello di Montalcino

Wrong: “Broo-NELL-oh dee Mon-tal-SEE-no”
Right: “broo-NELL-oh dee mon-tahl-CHEE-no”

The Italian village of Montalcino is where many English speakers stumble. That “ci” combination in Italian creates a “ch” sound, so it’s “CHEE-no,” not “SEE-no.” Also, resist the urge to stress the “tal” syllable heavily; Italian pronunciation tends to be more evenly distributed across syllables.

Brunello di Montalcino represents the pinnacle of Sangiovese expression, with wines that must age for at least five years before release.

8. Moët & Chandon

Wrong: “Moh-AY and Shan-DON”
Right: “moh-ETT and shan-DON”

Perhaps no wine brand name is more consistently butchered than Moët. Despite its French origins, the name is actually Dutch, and that “ë” is pronounced as a short “e” sound, making it “moh-ETT.” The “t” at the end is clearly pronounced, unlike many French words where final consonants are silent.

This iconic Champagne house has been producing sparkling wine since 1743 and remains one of the most recognizable names in the wine world.

9. Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Wrong: “Shat-oh-noof-doo-PAYP” or “Chat-oh-NEFF-doo-Pope”
Right: “shah-toh-nuhf-doo-PAHP”

This prestigious Rhône appellation’s name is a mouthful that intimidates many wine lovers. Break it down: “Château” starts with a soft “sh” sound (shah), “neuf” sounds like “nuhf,” and “Pape” rhymes with “pop” but with an “ah” sound. The whole thing flows together as one phrase rather than three distinct words.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape produces powerful red wines from up to 18 permitted grape varieties, though Grenache typically dominates the blends.

10. Chablis

Wrong: “SHAB-liss” or “Cha-BLEE”
Right: “shah-BLEE”

The most common error with Chablis is mispronouncing the first syllable. It’s not “shab” but rather “shah” with that soft French “a” sound. The emphasis falls on the second syllable: “BLEE.” Many English speakers also add an “s” sound at the end, but it should end cleanly with the “ee” sound.

Chablis produces some of the world’s most mineral-driven Chardonnays, grown in the unique Kimmeridgian soil of this northernmost Burgundy subregion.

11. Tempranillo

Wrong: “Tem-pra-NEE-yo” or “Tem-prah-NILL-oh”
Right: “tem-prah-NEE-yoh”

Spanish pronunciation is generally more straightforward than French, but Tempranillo still catches people off guard. The double “l” in Spanish creates a “y” sound, so it’s “NEE-yoh” at the end, not “NILL-oh.” The emphasis falls on the third syllable: “NEE.”

Tempranillo is Spain’s most important red wine grape, forming the backbone of Rioja and Ribera del Duero wines with its medium body and bright acidity.

12. Muscadet

Wrong: “MUS-ka-det” or “Mus-CAD-et”
Right: “muss-kah-DAY”

This French white wine from the Loire Valley is often mispronounced with English phonetics. The correct pronunciation flows as “muss-kah-DAY” with the emphasis on the final syllable. That final “t” is silent, as is typical in French, and the “e” at the end gets the characteristic French “ay” sound.

Muscadet produces crisp, light white wines that are perfect partners for oysters and other shellfish, reflecting the maritime influence of France’s Atlantic coast.

Why Pronunciation Matters

Getting these pronunciations right isn’t just about sounding sophisticated—it’s about showing respect for the winemakers, regions, and cultures that created these wines. When you properly pronounce a wine name, you’re acknowledging its heritage and demonstrating your genuine interest in understanding wine beyond just drinking it.

Moreover, correct pronunciation helps you communicate more effectively with wine professionals, whether you’re ordering at a restaurant, shopping at a wine store, or discussing wines with fellow enthusiasts. It builds confidence and credibility in wine conversations.

The key to mastering wine pronunciation is practice and patience. Don’t be afraid to ask for help—most wine professionals are happy to share their knowledge and appreciate customers who want to learn. Remember, even wine experts were beginners once, and everyone has mispronounced their share of wine words along the way.

Start incorporating these correct pronunciations into your wine vocabulary gradually. Focus on the wines you encounter most often, and don’t feel pressured to perfect them all at once. With time and practice, these pronunciations will become second nature, and you’ll find yourself confidently navigating wine lists and conversations with ease.