How To Pronounce Wines Correctly

Ever find yourself staring at a wine list, unsure how to pronounce that bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape (pronunciation shah-toh-nœf-dy-pap) you've been eyeing? It's high time you graduated from mumbling under your breath to ordering with confidence. After all, you should never feel discouraged from ordering more vino.

We've broken down the proper pronunciations of 11 popular wines in an easy-to-read list, complete with audible guides so you can listen for yourself. Get ready to show the sommelier what you're made of.

Brut is a dry, sparkling wine. You might also see it written as extra brut or brut natural, which specifies that little to no sugar has been added.

This full-bodied red wine comes from a grape variety known for its high level of tannins and medium level of acidity. A glass of Cab Sav for short is the perfect choice for braised short ribs.

Chianti is a red wine that gets its name from the Chianti region where it's produced, located in central Tuscany, Italy. High in tannins and acidity, this wine pairs well with just about anything from pizza to prime rib.

Known for citrusy flavors like lime, lemon and grapefruit, Grüner Veltliner is a dry white wine primarily from Austria, now also being produced in the United States.

This sweet wine is low in alcohol and offers flavors of apricot, orange and nectarine. It is made from the Muscat grape and pairs well with spicy foods, as its sweetness helps balance out the heat.

Pinot Noir is produced from red grapes primarily in France and the United States, and has flavors of black cherries, red berries and mushrooms. If you're making braised duck breast for dinner, a bottle of Pinot is the perfect complement.

Rioja is produced from a blend of different grape varieties from the synonymous region in Spain. It's similar to a Cabernet Sauvignon but also has fruity notes, so it pairs well with savory foods like meat, cheese and hearty vegetables.

This popular wine in Italy is also the base grape for many other wines. Sangiovese-based wines can be light or dark in color and usually have high levels of acid and tannins.

Sauvignon Blanc is a wine grape that originated in Bordeaux, along with our old friends Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It's a dry, light-bodied wine that pairs well with fish and vegetables.

This dark-red wine features flavors such as berries, cloves, pepper and even tobacco. It pairs well with pretty much everything, including grilled meats and juicy burgers.

This is a full-bodied white wine known for its floral aromas and flavors of tangerine and peach. It pairs well with dishes that feature spices such as tarragon, sage and turmeric, and also works with root vegetables.