Are you a French wine connoisseur or simply enjoy an occasional glass of Bordeaux? In this blog, we share some essential French wine vocabulary and terms that should come in handy next time you find yourself in a French vineyard or if you’re reading the label of a bottle you’re particularly enjoying. À la vôtre! (Cheers!)
le vin rouge / blanc / rosé = red / white / rosé wine
le raisin = the grape
le cépage = grape variety
un(e) vigneron(ne) = vintner (winemaker)
un vendangeur = grape picker
le vignoble = vineyard
la vendange = harvest
une région viticole = winegrowing region
une cave à vin = wine cellar
une étiquette = label
un bouchon = cork
un tire-bouchon = cork screw
un verre à pied = wine glass
un décanteur = decanter
aller boire un verre / aller prendre un verre / aller boire un coup = to go get a drink
faire tourner le vin dans son verre = to swirl the wine in your glass
prendre une gorgée = to take a sip
les arômes frais / fruités / végétaux / épicés = fresh / fruity / vegetal / spicy aromas
cracher = to spit the wine out
apprécier un bon vin = to enjoy a good wine
Watch some of this vocabulary used in context in the following videos:
Pick up more French vocabulary by joining a French course at IH London. You can find out more about our French courses here.