Pronunciation guide to grape varieties (H-S)
The Society's audio guide to grape pronunciation gives members more than a fighting chance of being able to get their mouths around even the most challenging sounding of varieties. Click on the grape name to hear our recommendation of how to say the name.
For extended profiles of some of the more common grape varieties see our Guide to grapes.
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Pronunciation guide to grape varieties (A-G) | Pronunciation guide to grape varieties (T-Z)
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Aromatic Hungarian white that is responsible for both sweet and dry wines. Read more
Click here for wines from the hárslevelű grape
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Considered Hungary's best red, kékfrankos is a direct translation of Austria's blaufränkisch (see above) and sometimes goes by the name of nagyburgundi.
Click here for wines from the kékfrankos grape
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Distinctively fruity red from Italy's Alto Adige and Trentino also now cropping up in some Australian blends. Read more here and here
Click here for wines from the lagrein grape.
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This widely planted Spanish white is also found across the border in France where it is known as maccabéo or maccabeu; in Rioja it goes by the name viura.
Click here for wines from the macabeo grape
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Click here for wines from the malagousia grape
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Click here for wines from the malvasia grape
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Click here for wines from the marsanne grape
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Click here for wines from the merlot grape
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This sun-loving Mediterranean variety produces dark, powerful reds. It also goes by the names of mataro and mourvèdre.
Click here for wines from the monastrell grape
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Deep-coloured red found throughout Italy but probably most famous as the grape behind Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has nothing to do with the grape, however as this DOCG is based on the sangiovese grape. Read more
Click here for wines from the montepulciano grape
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Click here for wines from the moscato grape
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This ancient white from Bordeaux and Bergerac in south-west France is also of significance in Australia where in the Victoria region it produces wonderful 'stickies' and is often called tokay. Read more
Click here for wines from the muscadelle grape
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This ancient and widely planted white grape originated in Burgundy and also goes by the name of melon de Bourgogne. Read more
Click here for wines from the muscadet grape
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Click here for wines from the muscat grape
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The classic red grape of Piedmont responsible for Barolo and Barbaresco, two of Italy's finest reds. The name comes from nebbia which is Italian for fog and is believed to refer to the bloom on the grape's skin. Read more
Click here for wines from the nebbiolo grape
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Click here for wines from the nerello mascalese grape
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Click here for wines from the nero d'avola grape
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Click here for wines from the okuzgozu grape
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Click here for wines from the parellada grape
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This Andalucían white variety makes some of the darkest and sweetest wines going.
Click here for wines from the pedro ximenez grape
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This white from France's south-west is one of the grape's behind both dry and sweet Jurançon. Read more
Click here for wines from the petit manseng grape
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One of the lesser known Bordeaux red grapes often used in small quantities to add 'spice' to the blend.
Click here for wines from the petit verdot grape
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This rather obscure red French grape is now much more famous in California and, as durif, in Australia.
Click here for wines from the petit manseng grape
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Click here for wines from the picpoul de pinet grape
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Click here for wines from the pinot blanc grape
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Click here for wines from the pinot gris grape
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This fruity red is the least well-known of the three grapes that traditionally make up Champagne. Read more
Click here for wines from the pinot meunier grape
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Click here for wines from the pinot noir grape
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South Africa's signature red variety is a cross between pinot noir and cinsault. Read more
Click here for wines from the pinotage grape
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This full-throttle southern Italian red has now been proven to be the same grape as zinfandel and is of Croatian origin (where it goes by the name of tribidrag or crljenak kastelanski).Read more
Click here for wines from the primitivo grape
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Click here for wines from the refosco grape
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This is one of the world's greatest white grape varieties capable of making magical wines for long-keeping.Read more
Click here for wines from the riesling grape
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Click here for wines from the roussanne grape
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The high-quality red grape of central Italy has many synonyms and is best-known as the main grape of Chianti. Read more
Click here for wines from the sangiovese grape
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Highly popular Loire white grape making aromatic, zesty wines. Read more
Click here for wines from the sauvignon blanc grape
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Click here for wines from the sauvignon gris grape
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Click here for wines from the savagnin grape
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Click here for wines from the scheurebe grape
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This white is found in both dry and sweet white Bordeaux is notable also for its success in Australia. Read more
Click here for wines from the semillon grape
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Click here for wines from the susumaniello grape
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Click here for wines from the sylvaner grape
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Click here for wines from the syrah grape