It's late December and I am not drinking nor studying enough. Not quite yet. Before anything, I need to overcome a silly difficulty.
I still cannot remember the proper way to say many of the wines I enjoy. I lucked out yesterday while drinking at one a favorite spot that someone needed help with an Italian wine name, but otherwise, I'm in the deficit.
This will improve with studying and exposure through consumption, I'm aware. However, as a person who speaks more than one language, albeit shabbily in some instances, who knows that a letter doesn't always make the sound I perceive that it should, seeing viognier still kicks me with the force of a confident Australian kangaroo or drowns me like a major Californian coastal wave. (These are regions where this grape variety grows, by the way.) I cannot simply bend the words to my will -- legacy wins.
Wine Varietals: A Global Lexicon
The names of grape varieties often hold clues to their origins, characteristics, or even the mythology surrounding them. Some popular varietals include:
- Syrah (France)
This iconic grape of the Rhône Valley carries a name believed to derive from the Persian city of Shiraz, suggesting ancient trade connections. Alternatively, some speculate its origin is from the Greek word "Syra," which aligns with ancient cultivation in the Mediterranean region. Its dark berries and bold, spicy flavor profile reflect its storied past. - Sangiovese (Italy)
This varietal name, rooted in Latin, translates to sanguis Jovis, or "the blood of Jupiter." As Italy’s most planted grape, Sangiovese is the backbone of Chianti wines. The name captures both the grape’s deep red color and its divine connotations in Roman mythology. - Tempranillo (Spain)
The name Tempranillo stems from the Spanish word temprano, meaning "early," a nod to its tendency to ripen earlier than other red grapes. This grape dominates Spain’s Rioja region, offering earthy, cherry-like flavors with an underlying linguistic link to its agricultural characteristics. - Gewürztraminer (Germany)
Translating to "spiced traminer," this varietal from Germany’s Alsace region reflects its aromatic nature. The prefix "Gewürz-" highlights its signature floral and spice notes, while "traminer" points to its geographical roots in Tramin, Italy.
Wine Terminology: Tasting Notes Across Cultures
Tasting wine involves describing it, and the vocabulary of wine tasting borrows from multiple languages:
- “Terroir” (French)
A foundational term in wine discussions, terroir encapsulates the environmental factors influencing wine production, including soil, climate, and topography. The word lacks a direct English equivalent, symbolizing the unique intersection of nature and human cultivation. - “Reserva” (Spanish/Portuguese)
Found on bottles from Spain and Portugal, this term denotes wines aged longer before release. It speaks to the linguistic and regulatory influence of Iberian wine traditions. - “Brut” (French)
Common in sparkling wines, brut translates to "dry" or "unsweetened." It’s an essential term for understanding Champagne classifications. - “Sec” and “Demi-sec” (French)
These terms signify dryness levels, highlighting the specificity of French linguistic contributions to global wine vocabulary.
Comprehensive guides, such as Decanter, often provide glossaries for decoding these nuanced terms.
Regional Influences: Grapes, Geography, and Language
The interplay of geography and language often shapes wine terminology. Consider these examples:
- Georgia
As the "cradle of wine," Georgia has contributed terms like qvevri, referring to the clay vessels used in ancient winemaking practices. The word encapsulates a tradition over 8,000 years old, tying language directly to cultural heritage. Wine Spectator explores this in greater depth. - Greece
Greek wines, such as Assyrtiko or Xinomavro, carry names tied to their characteristics and landscapes. "Assyrtiko" is thought to derive from the Greek word asser, meaning "rock," indicative of the grape’s resilience in volcanic soils. Similarly, "Xinomavro" translates to "acid black," describing its acidity and dark skin.
Borrowing and Adapting Across Cultures
As wine travels the world, so does its vocabulary. Countries adapt terms to fit their languages, creating a patchwork of interpretations. For example:
- Italy’s “Chianti Classico” evolved with English-speaking markets, leading to the globalized understanding of "classic" in wine contexts.
- Australia’s “Shiraz” adapts the Syrah name, reflecting regional branding strategies.
Books like Wine and Words: A History of Wine Terminology offer in-depth perspectives on how terms evolve as wine expands its reach.
Why It Matters
Understanding wine’s linguistic roots isn’t just for sommeliers or linguists; it’s a window into the rich cultural exchanges that shape global traditions. By exploring how terms are borrowed, adapted, and celebrated, wine lovers can better appreciate the diversity of their favorite beverage.
Whether it’s learning about ancient techniques in Georgia, uncovering the Latin origins of Italian grapes, or decoding French classifications, the language of wine tells a story as layered and complex as the wines themselves.