How to Pronounce German Wine Terms (and Sound Like a Pro)

All of us know how to pronounce Riesling (Ree-sling), the noble grape from Germany, right? But how many of us who majored in the romance languages of Italian, French or Spanish or are fluent in their own native language have a grip on the correct pronunciation of German wine terms? Not me! I’ve had to listen to the experts, read pronunciation guides, and make plenty of gaffes before I could attempt to say words like Beerenauslese like a pro!

The next time you engage in a bit of fine dining or wander into your favorite wine bar with a thirsty palate, be the boss of that wine list. Instead of pointing to the name of the German wine you’d like to try, practice a few key words you’ll find on the list or on the bottle’s label. Rest assured that you’ll be the pro you know you are when you ask for that glass of Riesling from Bernkastel.

Auslese (Owss-leh-zeh) – A level of full ripeness according to the traditional German system of rules. Literally, Auslese means “selected picking of fully-ripened grapes.”

Beerenauslese (Beh-ren-owss-leh-zeh) – A level of overripeness and sweet grapes

Bereich (Bay-rye’kh) – One of 39 official districts that are further broken down into 167 Grosslagen, then broken down int 2600+ Einzellagen

Bernkastel (Behrn-has-tel) – The chief vineyard city of the Middle Moselle

Einzellage (Ine-zel-la-guh) – An individual vineyard site in Germany

Eiswein (Ice-vine) – Perfectly ripened, partially frozen grapes become beautiful, rare and often expensive dessert wines.

Fuder (Foo-der) – A large wooden cask used in the Moselle

Gewurztraminer (Guh-verts-tra-mee-ner) A superior quality and spicy wine grape

Grosslage (Grohss-la-guh) – One of around 167 collections of vineyards.

Johannisberg (Yo-ha-ness-bairg) – A vineyard town in the Rheingau

Kabinett (Ka-bee-nett) – A level of ripeness indicating that the wine wasn’t completely ripe. It’s a basic grade of Qualitatswein Mit Pradikat

Mit Pradikat (Mitt Pray-dee-kaht) – Superior grade of Qualitatswein

Nahe (Na-heh) – A vineyard area of the Rhine

Qualitatswein (Kwa-lee-taits-vine) – Quality German table wine

Rheingau (Rine-gow) – A vineyard area of the Rhine

Rheinhesse (Rine-hess-she) – A vineyard area of the Rhine

Ruwer (Ru-ver) – A vineyard area of the Upper Moselle

Saar (Zar) – A vineyard area of the Upper Moselle

Spatlese (Shpayt-leh-she) – Late-picked fully ripened grapes

Tavelwein (Tah-fel-vine) – Ordinary German table wine

Trockenbeeren (Tro-ken-be-ren) – Semi-dried or shriveled grapes due to the hang time on the vines being long. It’s the sweetest level of German (and Austrian) wine.

 

Prost! ~ Cindy

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