France is home to some of the world's most prestigious wine regions, each with its own grape varieties, traditions, and vocabulary. From the grand chateaux of Bordeaux to the historic cellars of Champagne, wine culture permeates French life. Whether you're planning vineyard visits, wine tastings, or simply want to order confidently in restaurants, understanding French wine vocabulary will deepen your appreciation of this essential aspect of French culture.
This lesson covers the major wine regions, essential tasting vocabulary, and practical phrases for visiting wineries and ordering wine throughout France.
Understanding French Wine Labels
French wine labels can seem mysterious at first, but they follow a logical system based on geography rather than grape variety. Unlike New World wines that emphasize the grape, French wines are named after the region where they're produced. Knowing these regions and their associated grapes will help you understand what's in your glass.
Label Vocabulary
le vin
luh VAN
wine
le vin rouge
luh van ROOZH
red wine
le vin blanc
luh van BLAHN
white wine
le vin rose
luh van roh-ZAY
rose wine
le cepage
luh say-PAHZH
grape variety
le millesime
luh mee-lay-ZEEM
vintage year
l'appellation
lah-peh-lah-SYOHN
designated origin
le chateau
luh shah-TOH
winery / estate
le domaine
luh doh-MEHN
wine estate / domain
mis en bouteille au chateau
mee ahn boo-TAY-yuh oh shah-TOH
estate bottled
AOC/AOP System
French wines are classified by the Appellation d'Origine Controlee (AOC) or Appellation d'Origine Protegee (AOP) system, which guarantees the wine comes from a specific region and follows strict production rules. The more specific the appellation, generally the higher the quality and price.
Major Wine Regions
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is France's most famous wine region, known for its prestigious red blends and sweet whites. The region is divided into the Left Bank, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Right Bank, known for Merlot-based wines.
Bordeaux
bohr-DOH
famous red wine region
le Medoc
luh may-DOHK
Left Bank region
Saint-Emilion
sant ay-mee-LYOHN
Right Bank region
Pomerol
pohm-rohl
prestigious Merlot region
le Cabernet Sauvignon
luh kah-behr-NAY soh-vee-NYOHN
main Left Bank grape
le Merlot
luh mehr-LOH
main Right Bank grape
Sauternes
soh-TEHRN
sweet white wine region
Grand Cru Classe
grahn kroo klah-SAY
classified growth (top tier)
Burgundy (Bourgogne)
Burgundy produces some of the world's most sought-after Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The region's classification system is based on individual vineyard plots, with Grand Cru representing the pinnacle of quality.
la Bourgogne
lah boor-GOH-nyuh
Burgundy region
le Pinot Noir
luh pee-noh NWAHR
Burgundy's red grape
le Chardonnay
luh shar-doh-NAY
Burgundy's white grape
Chablis
shah-BLEE
crisp white wine region
la Cote d'Or
lah koht DOHR
"Golden Slope" - premium area
Grand Cru
grahn KROO
highest vineyard classification
Premier Cru
pruh-MYAY KROO
first growth (second tier)
le climat
luh klee-MAH
named vineyard plot
Champagne
True Champagne comes only from the Champagne region northeast of Paris. The method champenoise, involving secondary fermentation in the bottle, creates the famous bubbles. Only wines made here using this method can legally be called Champagne.
le Champagne
luh shahm-PAH-nyuh
sparkling wine from Champagne
le cremant
luh kray-MAHN
sparkling wine (other regions)
brut
BROOT
dry (low sugar)
demi-sec
duh-mee SEHK
semi-sweet
blanc de blancs
blahn duh BLAHN
white from white grapes
blanc de noirs
blahn duh NWAHR
white from black grapes
la maison
lah may-ZOHN
Champagne house
les bulles
lay BOOL
bubbles
Other Major Regions
la Vallee du Rhone
lah vah-LAY doo ROHN
Rhone Valley (Syrah, Grenache)
la Loire
lah LWAHR
Loire Valley (Sauvignon Blanc)
l'Alsace
lahl-ZAHS
Alsace (Riesling, Gewurztraminer)
le Languedoc
luh lahng-DOHK
Southern France region
Cotes du Rhone
koht doo ROHN
popular Rhone appellation
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
shah-toh-nuhf doo PAHP
prestigious Rhone appellation
Wine Tasting Vocabulary
Attending a wine tasting, or degustation, is a wonderful way to explore French wines. Understanding the vocabulary used to describe wines will help you communicate your preferences and appreciate the nuances being discussed.
Tasting Terms
la degustation
lah day-goo-stah-SYOHN
wine tasting
deguster
day-goo-STAY
to taste (wine)
la robe
lah ROHB
color / appearance
le nez
luh NAY
nose / aroma
la bouche
lah BOOSH
palate / taste
les tanins
lay tah-NAN
tannins
l'acidite
lah-see-dee-TAY
acidity
la finale
lah fee-NAHL
finish / aftertaste
Describing Wines
sec
SEHK
dry
moelleux
mwah-LUH
sweet / soft
fruite
frwee-TAY
fruity
boise
bwah-ZAY
oaky / woody
leger
lay-ZHAY
light-bodied
charnu / corpulent
shahr-NOO / kohr-poo-LAHN
full-bodied
equilibre
ay-kee-lee-BRAY
balanced
complexe
kohm-PLEHKS
complex
Visitor:Bonjour! Nous voudrions faire une degustation. (Hello! We'd like to do a tasting.)
Sommelier:Bien sur. Vous preferez le rouge ou le blanc? (Of course. Do you prefer red or white?)
Visitor:Nous aimons les rouges charnus. Qu'est-ce que vous recommandez? (We like full-bodied reds. What do you recommend?)
Sommelier:Je vous propose notre Saint-Emilion 2018. Il a une belle robe rubis et des notes de fruits noirs. (I suggest our Saint-Emilion 2018. It has a beautiful ruby color and notes of dark fruits.)
Visiting a Winery
Many French wineries welcome visitors, though appointments are often required, especially at prestigious estates. A typical visit includes a tour of the caves (cellars) followed by a tasting. Some charge a fee, while others offer complimentary tastings with the expectation that you might purchase wine.
Winery Vocabulary
le vignoble
luh vee-NYOH-bluh
vineyard
la vigne
lah VEE-nyuh
vine / grapevine
les vendanges
lay vahn-DAHNZH
grape harvest
la cave
lah KAHV
wine cellar
le chai
luh SHAY
above-ground wine storage
le fut / la barrique
luh FOO / lah bah-REEK
barrel / cask
le vigneron
luh vee-nyeh-ROHN
winemaker / vintner
la visite guidee
lah vee-ZEET ghee-DAY
guided tour
Je voudrais reserver une visite et degustation.
zhuh voo-DREH ray-zehr-VAY oon vee-ZEET ay day-goo-stah-SYOHN
I'd like to book a tour and tasting.
Est-ce qu'il faut prendre rendez-vous?
ehs keel foh PRAHN-druh rahn-day-VOO
Do I need to make an appointment?
Pouvez-vous expedier aux Etats-Unis?
poo-vay VOO ehk-spay-DYAY oh zay-tah-zoo-NEE
Can you ship to the United States?
Tasting Etiquette
It's perfectly acceptable to spit wine during tastings, using the provided crachoir (spittoon). This allows you to taste many wines without becoming intoxicated. Don't wear strong perfume, which can interfere with the aromas. It's polite to purchase at least a bottle or two if you've enjoyed a complimentary tasting.
Ordering Wine at Restaurants
French restaurants take wine seriously, and many have extensive wine lists. Don't hesitate to ask the sommelier for recommendations, they're trained professionals who enjoy helping guests discover new wines.
French wine culture is a world unto itself, built on centuries of tradition and a deep connection to the land. With this vocabulary, you'll be equipped to explore vineyards, participate in tastings, and discuss wines with confidence. Whether you're touring the grand chateaux of Bordeaux or discovering a small family domaine in Burgundy, understanding the language of French wine opens doors to unforgettable experiences. In the next lesson, we'll explore the fairy-tale castles of the Loire Valley and the historic beaches of Normandy.