With silly season quickly approaching, many families will be sharing a bottle or two of wine around the table in celebration.
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But despite our deep love of wine, many of us are getting it wrong when it comes to how to pronounce some of the most popular tipples.
Babbel, a language learning app, teamed up with experienced sommelier Rochelle Godwin to correct some of the most commonly mispronounced wines.
“Being a sommelier is as much about teaching people about wines as it is about serving it,” Ms Godwin said.
“Aussies have a great palette and discerning tastes when it comes to wine, but sometimes our pronunciations leave a lot to be desired.”
Is your pronunciation up to scratch?
Pinot Gris
Pinot Gris topped the list as one of the most popular white wines of Australia, not to be mistaken for its cousin, Pinot Grigio (pee-noh GREE-jo).
They both use the same grape variety and have similar aromas and flavours but ‘Gris’ is the French variety and ‘Grigio’ is the Italian version.
The correct pronunciation is pee-noh-gree.
Tempranillo
This full bodied Spanish red improves with age. When young, it has fresh and fruity characteristics. With oak and age, you’ll find more of the deep, tobacco, and leather flavours that serious wine fans crave.
The correct pronunciation is tem-prah-NEE-yoh.
Semillon
This all-rounder is enjoyable throughout the year due to its ability to pair with almost anything. It’s the perfect accompaniment for prawns on the barbie.
The correct pronunciation is SEM-eh-lon.
Gewürztraminer
Don’t be afraid to wrap your mouth around this aromatic white wine - and its pronunciation. Fermented in cool climates, Gewürztraminer is best paired with dishes carrying a little heat, spice or zest.
The correct pronunciation is geh-VAIRTZ-tran-mee-ner.
Rioja
Flying under the radar, this wine is one of the best Spain has to offer, while also being easy on the wallet. Just remember, this style of wine is separated into four classifications - Rioja, Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva - depending on the amount of time the wine spends in oak.
The correct pronunciation is ree-OH-hah.
Beaujolais
Lower in alcohol than other reds, this light bodied wine is a perfect match for your Christmas turkey, ham, or pork.
The correct pronunciation is boh-jhoe-lay.
Chablis
Unlike other Chardonnay wines, Chablis rarely uses oak-ageing, resulting in a very different style and taste profile.
The correct pronunciation is shah-blee.
Riesling
Riesling’s strong character keeps its flavour intact. It can even outdo spicy dishes with dominant flavours.
The correct pronunciation is REESE-ling.
The next time you dine out, there’s no need to point at a name on the wine list. You can confidently call out a wine that won’t only impress your fellow diners but also your sommelier. It’s a wine-wine situation.
