🍷 Wine Vocab
Wine names can describe the grape, the place it comes from, or the way it’s made. A red can be light and delicate or rich and built like furniture. A white can be bone-dry or sweet enough for dessert. Sparkling and fortified wines follow different rules again, with their own methods and traditions. The names below cover the wines you’ll commonly find on menus, in recipes, and on store shelves.
🔴 Red Grapes
🍷 Cabernet Sauvignon
full-bodied red - dark fruit, tannin, and structure
Example: The cabernet needed steak more than it needed a salad.
🇫🇷 French: Cabernet sauvignon
🇩🇪 German: Cabernet Sauvignon
🇮🇹 Italian: Cabernet sauvignon
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Cabernet sauvignon
💡 Nuance: Structure first. Merlot is the softer blending partner. Pinot noir is the light opposite.
full-bodied red - dark fruit, tannin, and structure
Example: The cabernet needed steak more than it needed a salad.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Cabernet sauvignon🇫🇷 French: Cabernet sauvignon
🇩🇪 German: Cabernet Sauvignon
🇮🇹 Italian: Cabernet sauvignon
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Cabernet sauvignon
💡 Nuance: Structure first. Merlot is the softer blending partner. Pinot noir is the light opposite.
🟣 Merlot
smooth medium- to full-bodied red - plum and berry
Example: Merlot went with roast chicken when cabernet would have been too much.
🇫🇷 French: Merlot
🇩🇪 German: Merlot
🇮🇹 Italian: Merlot
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Merlot
💡 Nuance: Rounder tannin than cabernet. Still a serious red, not a light pinot.
smooth medium- to full-bodied red - plum and berry
Example: Merlot went with roast chicken when cabernet would have been too much.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Merlot🇫🇷 French: Merlot
🇩🇪 German: Merlot
🇮🇹 Italian: Merlot
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Merlot
💡 Nuance: Rounder tannin than cabernet. Still a serious red, not a light pinot.
🍒 Pinot Noir
lighter red - red fruit and relatively delicate tannins
Example: Pinot noir sat next to salmon, where a malbec would have crushed it.
🇫🇷 French: Pinot noir
🇩🇪 German: Spätburgunder / Pinot Noir
🇮🇹 Italian: Pinot nero
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pinot noir
💡 Nuance: Light body, not weak flavor. Same grape family as pinot grigio, different color and job.
lighter red - red fruit and relatively delicate tannins
Example: Pinot noir sat next to salmon, where a malbec would have crushed it.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Pinot noir🇫🇷 French: Pinot noir
🇩🇪 German: Spätburgunder / Pinot Noir
🇮🇹 Italian: Pinot nero
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pinot noir
💡 Nuance: Light body, not weak flavor. Same grape family as pinot grigio, different color and job.
🖤 Syrah
full-bodied red - dark fruit, pepper, and savory notes
Example: Northern Rhône syrah smelled like pepper and smoked meat.
🇫🇷 French: Syrah
🇩🇪 German: Syrah
🇮🇹 Italian: Syrah
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Syrah
💡 Nuance: Same grape as shiraz. Syrah is the usual French / Old World name.
full-bodied red - dark fruit, pepper, and savory notes
Example: Northern Rhône syrah smelled like pepper and smoked meat.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Syrah🇫🇷 French: Syrah
🇩🇪 German: Syrah
🇮🇹 Italian: Syrah
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Syrah
💡 Nuance: Same grape as shiraz. Syrah is the usual French / Old World name.
🇦🇺 Shiraz
the name used for syrah in Australia and some other regions - often riper and bolder
Example: Australian shiraz was fruit-forward next to a leaner French syrah.
🇫🇷 French: Shiraz
🇩🇪 German: Shiraz
🇮🇹 Italian: Shiraz
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Shiraz
💡 Nuance: Not a different grape. A different label and, often, a riper style.
the name used for syrah in Australia and some other regions - often riper and bolder
Example: Australian shiraz was fruit-forward next to a leaner French syrah.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Shiraz🇫🇷 French: Shiraz
🇩🇪 German: Shiraz
🇮🇹 Italian: Shiraz
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Shiraz
💡 Nuance: Not a different grape. A different label and, often, a riper style.
🍓 Zinfandel
red grape tied to ripe berry and spice - often high alcohol in California
Example: The zinfandel tasted like blackberry jam and black pepper.
🇫🇷 French: Zinfandel
🇩🇪 German: Zinfandel
🇮🇹 Italian: Zinfandel / Primitivo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Zinfandel
💡 Nuance: Related to Italian primitivo. White zinfandel is a sweet pink wine from the same grape, not this red style.
red grape tied to ripe berry and spice - often high alcohol in California
Example: The zinfandel tasted like blackberry jam and black pepper.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Zinfandel🇫🇷 French: Zinfandel
🇩🇪 German: Zinfandel
🇮🇹 Italian: Zinfandel / Primitivo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Zinfandel
💡 Nuance: Related to Italian primitivo. White zinfandel is a sweet pink wine from the same grape, not this red style.
🇦🇷 Malbec
deeply colored red - dark fruit and moderate to firm tannin
Example: Argentine malbec is the steakhouse default in many rooms.
🇫🇷 French: Malbec
🇩🇪 German: Malbec
🇮🇹 Italian: Malbec
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Malbec
💡 Nuance: French origin, Argentine fame. Darker and plusher than pinot noir.
deeply colored red - dark fruit and moderate to firm tannin
Example: Argentine malbec is the steakhouse default in many rooms.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Malbec🇫🇷 French: Malbec
🇩🇪 German: Malbec
🇮🇹 Italian: Malbec
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Malbec
💡 Nuance: French origin, Argentine fame. Darker and plusher than pinot noir.
🇮🇹 Sangiovese
Italian red - cherry and noticeable acidity
Example: Chianti is often sangiovese wearing a place name.
🇫🇷 French: Sangiovese
🇩🇪 German: Sangiovese
🇮🇹 Italian: Sangiovese
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sangiovese
💡 Nuance: Acid for tomato sauce. Nebbiolo is the tannic Piedmont cousin, not this Tuscan cherry.
Italian red - cherry and noticeable acidity
Example: Chianti is often sangiovese wearing a place name.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Sangiovese🇫🇷 French: Sangiovese
🇩🇪 German: Sangiovese
🇮🇹 Italian: Sangiovese
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sangiovese
💡 Nuance: Acid for tomato sauce. Nebbiolo is the tannic Piedmont cousin, not this Tuscan cherry.
🌫️ Nebbiolo
Italian red - high acid, firm tannin, complex aroma
Example: Barolo and Barbaresco are nebbiolo with a village on the label.
🇫🇷 French: Nebbiolo
🇩🇪 German: Nebbiolo
🇮🇹 Italian: Nebbiolo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Nebbiolo
💡 Nuance: Pale color, serious grip. Do not judge it by how light it looks in the glass.
Italian red - high acid, firm tannin, complex aroma
Example: Barolo and Barbaresco are nebbiolo with a village on the label.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Nebbiolo🇫🇷 French: Nebbiolo
🇩🇪 German: Nebbiolo
🇮🇹 Italian: Nebbiolo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Nebbiolo
💡 Nuance: Pale color, serious grip. Do not judge it by how light it looks in the glass.
🇪🇸 Tempranillo
Spanish red grape - plum, cherry, and earth
Example: Rioja is often tempranillo aged in oak until it smells like leather and vanilla.
🇫🇷 French: Tempranillo
🇩🇪 German: Tempranillo
🇮🇹 Italian: Tempranillo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Tempranillo
💡 Nuance: Spain's workhorse red. Place names (Rioja, Ribera) hide the grape on many labels.
Spanish red grape - plum, cherry, and earth
Example: Rioja is often tempranillo aged in oak until it smells like leather and vanilla.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Tempranillo🇫🇷 French: Tempranillo
🇩🇪 German: Tempranillo
🇮🇹 Italian: Tempranillo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Tempranillo
💡 Nuance: Spain's workhorse red. Place names (Rioja, Ribera) hide the grape on many labels.
🍅 Barbera
Italian red - bright acid, relatively low tannin
Example: Barbera with pizza when nebbiolo would have been too stern.
🇫🇷 French: Barbera
🇩🇪 German: Barbera
🇮🇹 Italian: Barbera
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Barbera
💡 Nuance: Juicy, not tannic. Same region family as nebbiolo, easier Tuesday-night wine.
Italian red - bright acid, relatively low tannin
Example: Barbera with pizza when nebbiolo would have been too stern.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Barbera🇫🇷 French: Barbera
🇩🇪 German: Barbera
🇮🇹 Italian: Barbera
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Barbera
💡 Nuance: Juicy, not tannic. Same region family as nebbiolo, easier Tuesday-night wine.
☀️ Grenache
red grape - fruity, often high alcohol, used alone or in blends
Example: Southern Rhône blends lean on grenache for fruit and warmth.
🇫🇷 French: Grenache
🇩🇪 German: Grenache
🇮🇹 Italian: Grenache / Cannonau
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Grenache
💡 Nuance: Garnacha in Spain. Soft tannin, ripe fruit. A backbone of many rosés too.
red grape - fruity, often high alcohol, used alone or in blends
Example: Southern Rhône blends lean on grenache for fruit and warmth.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Garnacha🇫🇷 French: Grenache
🇩🇪 German: Grenache
🇮🇹 Italian: Grenache / Cannonau
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Grenache
💡 Nuance: Garnacha in Spain. Soft tannin, ripe fruit. A backbone of many rosés too.
🤍 White Grapes
🍋 Pinot Grigio
usually light, crisp white from the pinot gris grape
Example: The patio list led with pinot grigio because it asked so little of the food.
🇫🇷 French: Pinot grigio
🇩🇪 German: Pinot Grigio
🇮🇹 Italian: Pinot grigio
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pinot grigio
💡 Nuance: Same grape as pinot gris. Grigio usually means the light Italian style.
usually light, crisp white from the pinot gris grape
Example: The patio list led with pinot grigio because it asked so little of the food.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Pinot grigio🇫🇷 French: Pinot grigio
🇩🇪 German: Pinot Grigio
🇮🇹 Italian: Pinot grigio
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pinot grigio
💡 Nuance: Same grape as pinot gris. Grigio usually means the light Italian style.
🍐 Pinot Gris
the same grape as pinot grigio - often fuller and more textured
Example: Alsatian pinot gris was richer than the Italian pinot grigio beside it.
🇫🇷 French: Pinot gris
🇩🇪 German: Grauburgunder / Pinot Gris
🇮🇹 Italian: Pinot gris
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pinot gris
💡 Nuance: Style name more than a different plant. Think texture, not a new grape.
the same grape as pinot grigio - often fuller and more textured
Example: Alsatian pinot gris was richer than the Italian pinot grigio beside it.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Pinot gris🇫🇷 French: Pinot gris
🇩🇪 German: Grauburgunder / Pinot Gris
🇮🇹 Italian: Pinot gris
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pinot gris
💡 Nuance: Style name more than a different plant. Think texture, not a new grape.
🧈 Chardonnay
versatile white - from crisp and mineral to rich and buttery
Example: Unoaked chardonnay tasted like green apple. The oaked bottle tasted like buttered toast.
🇫🇷 French: Chardonnay
🇩🇪 German: Chardonnay
🇮🇹 Italian: Chardonnay
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Chardonnay
💡 Nuance: The grape is neutral. Oak and malolactic fermentation decide "buttery." Champagne is often chardonnay plus other grapes.
versatile white - from crisp and mineral to rich and buttery
Example: Unoaked chardonnay tasted like green apple. The oaked bottle tasted like buttered toast.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Chardonnay🇫🇷 French: Chardonnay
🇩🇪 German: Chardonnay
🇮🇹 Italian: Chardonnay
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Chardonnay
💡 Nuance: The grape is neutral. Oak and malolactic fermentation decide "buttery." Champagne is often chardonnay plus other grapes.
🌿 Sauvignon Blanc
crisp white - citrus, herbs, sometimes tropical fruit
Example: Sauvignon blanc cut through the goat cheese.
🇫🇷 French: Sauvignon blanc
🇩🇪 German: Sauvignon Blanc
🇮🇹 Italian: Sauvignon blanc
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sauvignon blanc
💡 Nuance: Sharp and aromatic. Not the rich oak path of many chardonnays.
crisp white - citrus, herbs, sometimes tropical fruit
Example: Sauvignon blanc cut through the goat cheese.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Sauvignon blanc🇫🇷 French: Sauvignon blanc
🇩🇪 German: Sauvignon Blanc
🇮🇹 Italian: Sauvignon blanc
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sauvignon blanc
💡 Nuance: Sharp and aromatic. Not the rich oak path of many chardonnays.
🌼 Riesling
aromatic white that runs from very dry to very sweet
Example: A dry riesling can taste as dry as sauvignon blanc. A late-harvest bottle is dessert.
🇫🇷 French: Riesling
🇩🇪 German: Riesling
🇮🇹 Italian: Riesling
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Riesling
💡 Nuance: Not automatically sweet. Read the label. High acid keeps even sweet bottles from feeling heavy.
aromatic white that runs from very dry to very sweet
Example: A dry riesling can taste as dry as sauvignon blanc. A late-harvest bottle is dessert.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Riesling🇫🇷 French: Riesling
🇩🇪 German: Riesling
🇮🇹 Italian: Riesling
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Riesling
💡 Nuance: Not automatically sweet. Read the label. High acid keeps even sweet bottles from feeling heavy.
🌺 Gewürztraminer
highly aromatic white - floral, tropical, and spice
Example: Gewürztraminer with spicy food, because the perfume can take chili.
🇫🇷 French: Gewurztraminer
🇩🇪 German: Gewürztraminer
🇮🇹 Italian: Gewürztraminer
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Gewürztraminer
💡 Nuance: Loud nose. Lychee and rose are the usual clues. Not a shy patio white.
highly aromatic white - floral, tropical, and spice
Example: Gewürztraminer with spicy food, because the perfume can take chili.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Gewürztraminer🇫🇷 French: Gewurztraminer
🇩🇪 German: Gewürztraminer
🇮🇹 Italian: Gewürztraminer
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Gewürztraminer
💡 Nuance: Loud nose. Lychee and rose are the usual clues. Not a shy patio white.
♻️ Chenin Blanc
versatile white - dry, sweet, still, or sparkling
Example: Loire chenin can be bone-dry Vouvray or a sweet bottle from the same grape.
🇫🇷 French: Chenin blanc
🇩🇪 German: Chenin Blanc
🇮🇹 Italian: Chenin blanc
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Chenin blanc
💡 Nuance: Like riesling, sweetness is a choice. South Africa grows a lot of it too.
versatile white - dry, sweet, still, or sparkling
Example: Loire chenin can be bone-dry Vouvray or a sweet bottle from the same grape.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Chenin blanc🇫🇷 French: Chenin blanc
🇩🇪 German: Chenin Blanc
🇮🇹 Italian: Chenin blanc
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Chenin blanc
💡 Nuance: Like riesling, sweetness is a choice. South Africa grows a lot of it too.
🍑 Viognier
full-bodied aromatic white - peach, apricot, flowers
Example: Viognier felt richer than sauvignon blanc without tasting like oaky chardonnay.
🇫🇷 French: Viognier
🇩🇪 German: Viognier
🇮🇹 Italian: Viognier
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Viognier
💡 Nuance: Perfume plus body. Low acid compared with riesling or albariño.
full-bodied aromatic white - peach, apricot, flowers
Example: Viognier felt richer than sauvignon blanc without tasting like oaky chardonnay.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Viognier🇫🇷 French: Viognier
🇩🇪 German: Viognier
🇮🇹 Italian: Viognier
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Viognier
💡 Nuance: Perfume plus body. Low acid compared with riesling or albariño.
🍇 Moscato
usually sweet, aromatic wine from muscat grapes
Example: Moscato d'Asti is lightly fizzy and dessert-sweet.
🇫🇷 French: Muscat / moscato
🇩🇪 German: Muskateller / Moscato
🇮🇹 Italian: Moscato
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Moscatel / moscato
💡 Nuance: Grape family is muscat. Most supermarket moscato is sweet. Dry muscat exists, but that is not the usual bottle.
usually sweet, aromatic wine from muscat grapes
Example: Moscato d'Asti is lightly fizzy and dessert-sweet.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Moscato / moscatel🇫🇷 French: Muscat / moscato
🇩🇪 German: Muskateller / Moscato
🇮🇹 Italian: Moscato
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Moscatel / moscato
💡 Nuance: Grape family is muscat. Most supermarket moscato is sweet. Dry muscat exists, but that is not the usual bottle.
🌊 Albariño
crisp Spanish (and Portuguese) white - citrus, stone fruit, mineral
Example: Albariño with grilled fish on the Atlantic coast.
🇫🇷 French: Albariño
🇩🇪 German: Albariño
🇮🇹 Italian: Albariño
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Alvarinho
💡 Nuance: Alvarinho in Portugal. A seafood white with more weight than many pinot grigios.
crisp Spanish (and Portuguese) white - citrus, stone fruit, mineral
Example: Albariño with grilled fish on the Atlantic coast.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Albariño🇫🇷 French: Albariño
🇩🇪 German: Albariño
🇮🇹 Italian: Albariño
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Alvarinho
💡 Nuance: Alvarinho in Portugal. A seafood white with more weight than many pinot grigios.
🌸 Pink & Sparkling
🌸 Rosé
pink wine from red grapes, with only a short time on the skins
Example: Provence rosé was dry and pale, not a sweet blush.
🇫🇷 French: Rosé
🇩🇪 German: Rosé
🇮🇹 Italian: Rosato
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Rosé
💡 Nuance: Color is time on skins, not a special pink grape. Can be dry or sweet. White zinfandel is one sweet style.
pink wine from red grapes, with only a short time on the skins
Example: Provence rosé was dry and pale, not a sweet blush.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Rosado🇫🇷 French: Rosé
🇩🇪 German: Rosé
🇮🇹 Italian: Rosato
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Rosé
💡 Nuance: Color is time on skins, not a special pink grape. Can be dry or sweet. White zinfandel is one sweet style.
🥂 Champagne
sparkling wine from Champagne, France, made under strict rules
Example: Only bottles from that region get the Champagne name.
🇫🇷 French: Champagne
🇩🇪 German: Champagner
🇮🇹 Italian: Champagne
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Champanhe
💡 Nuance: Place plus method. Prosecco and cava sparkle too. They are not Champagne.
sparkling wine from Champagne, France, made under strict rules
Example: Only bottles from that region get the Champagne name.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Champán / Champagne🇫🇷 French: Champagne
🇩🇪 German: Champagner
🇮🇹 Italian: Champagne
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Champanhe
💡 Nuance: Place plus method. Prosecco and cava sparkle too. They are not Champagne.
🇮🇹 Prosecco
Italian sparkling wine, mostly from the glera grape
Example: Prosecco is usually lighter and fruitier than Champagne, and often cheaper.
🇫🇷 French: Prosecco
🇩🇪 German: Prosecco
🇮🇹 Italian: Prosecco
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Prosecco
💡 Nuance: Tank method for most bottles, not the same long bottle aging as Champagne or cava.
Italian sparkling wine, mostly from the glera grape
Example: Prosecco is usually lighter and fruitier than Champagne, and often cheaper.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Prosecco🇫🇷 French: Prosecco
🇩🇪 German: Prosecco
🇮🇹 Italian: Prosecco
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Prosecco
💡 Nuance: Tank method for most bottles, not the same long bottle aging as Champagne or cava.
🇪🇸 Cava
Spanish sparkling wine, usually bottle-fermented like Champagne
Example: Cava gave the toast bubbles without the Champagne price.
🇫🇷 French: Cava
🇩🇪 German: Cava
🇮🇹 Italian: Cava
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Cava
💡 Nuance: Method is closer to Champagne. Grape set and place are Spanish.
Spanish sparkling wine, usually bottle-fermented like Champagne
Example: Cava gave the toast bubbles without the Champagne price.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Cava🇫🇷 French: Cava
🇩🇪 German: Cava
🇮🇹 Italian: Cava
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Cava
💡 Nuance: Method is closer to Champagne. Grape set and place are Spanish.
🥃 Fortified & Aromatized
🇵🇹 Port
fortified Portuguese wine, usually sweet, often a dessert pour
Example: Ruby port with chocolate. Tawny port with nuts.
🇫🇷 French: Porto
🇩🇪 German: Portwein
🇮🇹 Italian: Porto
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Vinho do Porto
💡 Nuance: Brandy stops the ferment, so sugar stays. Sherry is a different fortified family from Spain.
fortified Portuguese wine, usually sweet, often a dessert pour
Example: Ruby port with chocolate. Tawny port with nuts.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Oporto🇫🇷 French: Porto
🇩🇪 German: Portwein
🇮🇹 Italian: Porto
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Vinho do Porto
💡 Nuance: Brandy stops the ferment, so sugar stays. Sherry is a different fortified family from Spain.
🇪🇸 Sherry
fortified wines from Andalucía - bone-dry to very sweet
Example: Fino sherry is dry and sharp. Pedro Ximénez is dessert-thick.
🇫🇷 French: Xérès / sherry
🇩🇪 German: Sherry
🇮🇹 Italian: Sherry
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Xerez / sherry
💡 Nuance: A category, not one sweetness. Cooking sherry is not the same as a bottle from Jerez.
fortified wines from Andalucía - bone-dry to very sweet
Example: Fino sherry is dry and sharp. Pedro Ximénez is dessert-thick.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Jerez🇫🇷 French: Xérès / sherry
🇩🇪 German: Sherry
🇮🇹 Italian: Sherry
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Xerez / sherry
💡 Nuance: A category, not one sweetness. Cooking sherry is not the same as a bottle from Jerez.
🪵 Madeira
fortified Portuguese island wine - nutty, caramelized, built to last
Example: An open bottle of madeira can sit for weeks without falling apart.
🇫🇷 French: Madère
🇩🇪 German: Madeira
🇮🇹 Italian: Madera
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Madeira
💡 Nuance: Heated on purpose. That is why it tastes cooked and lasts. Not a synonym for port.
fortified Portuguese island wine - nutty, caramelized, built to last
Example: An open bottle of madeira can sit for weeks without falling apart.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Madeira🇫🇷 French: Madère
🇩🇪 German: Madeira
🇮🇹 Italian: Madera
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Madeira
💡 Nuance: Heated on purpose. That is why it tastes cooked and lasts. Not a synonym for port.
🍸 Vermouth
fortified wine flavored with botanicals - a cocktail staple
Example: A martini is gin and dry vermouth. A manhattan is whiskey and sweet vermouth.
🇫🇷 French: Vermouth
🇩🇪 German: Wermut
🇮🇹 Italian: Vermouth
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Vermute
💡 Nuance: Wine first, then herbs and spirit. Keep it in the fridge after opening.
fortified wine flavored with botanicals - a cocktail staple
Example: A martini is gin and dry vermouth. A manhattan is whiskey and sweet vermouth.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Vermú / vermut🇫🇷 French: Vermouth
🇩🇪 German: Wermut
🇮🇹 Italian: Vermouth
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Vermute
💡 Nuance: Wine first, then herbs and spirit. Keep it in the fridge after opening.
🧠 Useful Distinctions
🍷 Cabernet vs. Merlot vs. Pinot noir
Cabernet is structured and tannic. Merlot is rounder. Pinot noir is the light, red-fruit end.
Cabernet is structured and tannic. Merlot is rounder. Pinot noir is the light, red-fruit end.
🖤 Syrah vs. 🇦🇺 Shiraz
Same grape. Syrah is the usual French name and often leaner. Shiraz is the Australian name and often riper.
Same grape. Syrah is the usual French name and often leaner. Shiraz is the Australian name and often riper.
🍋 Pinot grigio vs. 🍐 Pinot gris
Same grape. Grigio usually means light and crisp. Gris often means fuller and more textured.
Same grape. Grigio usually means light and crisp. Gris often means fuller and more textured.
🇮🇹 Sangiovese vs. Nebbiolo vs. Barbera
All Italian reds. Sangiovese is cherry and acid. Nebbiolo is tannin and perfume. Barbera is juicy acid with low tannin.
All Italian reds. Sangiovese is cherry and acid. Nebbiolo is tannin and perfume. Barbera is juicy acid with low tannin.
🥂 Champagne vs. Prosecco vs. Cava
All sparkle. Champagne is a place. Prosecco is Italian and usually tank-fermented. Cava is Spanish and usually bottle-fermented.
All sparkle. Champagne is a place. Prosecco is Italian and usually tank-fermented. Cava is Spanish and usually bottle-fermented.
🇵🇹 Port vs. 🇪🇸 Sherry vs. 🪵 Madeira
All fortified. Port is usually sweet. Sherry runs from very dry to very sweet. Madeira is heated and built to last.
All fortified. Port is usually sweet. Sherry runs from very dry to very sweet. Madeira is heated and built to last.
🌼 Riesling is not automatically sweet
The grape can be dry or dessert-level. Read the label. Moscato is the one that is usually sweet by default.
The grape can be dry or dessert-level. Read the label. Moscato is the one that is usually sweet by default.
💬 Everyday Wine Phrases
🌸 Is the rosé dry, or is it a sweet blush?
pink is not a flavor
🇫🇷 Le rosé est sec, ou c’est un blush sucré ?
🇩🇪 Ist der Rosé trocken oder ein süßer Blush?
🇮🇹 Il rosato è secco o è un blush dolce?
🇵🇹 O rosé é seco ou é um blush doce?
pink is not a flavor
Show translations
🇪🇸 ¿El rosado es seco o es un blush dulce?🇫🇷 Le rosé est sec, ou c’est un blush sucré ?
🇩🇪 Ist der Rosé trocken oder ein süßer Blush?
🇮🇹 Il rosato è secco o è un blush dolce?
🇵🇹 O rosé é seco ou é um blush doce?
🥂 It sparkles. That does not make it Champagne.
place name vs. bubbles
🇫🇷 Ça pétille. Ça n’en fait pas du Champagne.
🇩🇪 Es perlt. Das macht es nicht zum Champagner.
🇮🇹 Fa le bollicine. Non per questo è Champagne.
🇵🇹 Tem bolhas. Isso não o torna Champagne.
place name vs. bubbles
Show translations
🇪🇸 Tiene burbujas. Eso no lo convierte en Champagne.🇫🇷 Ça pétille. Ça n’en fait pas du Champagne.
🇩🇪 Es perlt. Das macht es nicht zum Champagner.
🇮🇹 Fa le bollicine. Non per questo è Champagne.
🇵🇹 Tem bolhas. Isso não o torna Champagne.
🖤 Syrah and shiraz are the same grape.
name and style, not two plants
🇫🇷 La syrah et le shiraz sont le même cépage.
🇩🇪 Syrah und Shiraz sind dieselbe Traube.
🇮🇹 Syrah e shiraz sono la stessa uva.
🇵🇹 Syrah e shiraz são a mesma uva.
name and style, not two plants
Show translations
🇪🇸 Syrah y shiraz son la misma uva.🇫🇷 La syrah et le shiraz sont le même cépage.
🇩🇪 Syrah und Shiraz sind dieselbe Traube.
🇮🇹 Syrah e shiraz sono la stessa uva.
🇵🇹 Syrah e shiraz são a mesma uva.
🌼 Ask if the riesling is dry before you assume dessert.
sweetness is a style
🇫🇷 Demande si le riesling est sec avant de viser le dessert.
🇩🇪 Frag, ob der Riesling trocken ist, bevor du Dessert annimmst.
🇮🇹 Chiedi se il riesling è secco prima di pensarlo da dessert.
🇵🇹 Pergunte se o riesling é seco antes de achar que é sobremesa.
sweetness is a style
Show translations
🇪🇸 Pregunta si el riesling es seco antes de dar por hecho el postre.🇫🇷 Demande si le riesling est sec avant de viser le dessert.
🇩🇪 Frag, ob der Riesling trocken ist, bevor du Dessert annimmst.
🇮🇹 Chiedi se il riesling è secco prima di pensarlo da dessert.
🇵🇹 Pergunte se o riesling é seco antes de achar que é sobremesa.
🏆 Final Practice
English in the Real World:
Read the situation. Choose the more precise wine word.
Read the situation. Choose the more precise wine word.
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