Sauvignon Blanc, a crisp and refreshing white wine, is renowned for its herbaceous and citrusy flavors. Pronouncing its name correctly is essential to avoid any linguistic faux pas. The word “Sauvignon” originates from the French word “sauvage,” meaning “wild.” This reflects the grape’s untamed nature and its ability to produce wines with a distinctive character. However, the pronunciation of “Sauvignon” can be tricky for non-native French speakers.
The first syllable, “Sau,” is pronounced similarly to the word “sow,” with a soft “o” sound. The second syllable, “vi,” is pronounced like the English word “vee.” The final syllable, “gnon,” is pronounced with a nasal “n” sound, similar to the “ng” in “sing.” Putting it all together, the correct pronunciation of “Sauvignon” is “soh-vee-nyon.” For those who struggle with the nasal “n” sound, it can be helpful to imagine a slight buzz in the back of the throat while pronouncing the final syllable.
Mastering the pronunciation of “Sauvignon” not only enhances your wine etiquette but also demonstrates your appreciation for the nuances of language. Whether you’re ordering a glass at a restaurant or engaging in a wine discussion, pronouncing “Sauvignon” correctly conveys your knowledge and respect for the winemaking tradition. So, next time you raise a glass of this exquisite white wine, remember to say “soh-vee-nyon” with confidence and savor the moment of linguistic accuracy.
Pronouncing the “S” Sound
The “s” sound in Sauvignon is pronounced differently depending on the region. In most English-speaking countries, it is pronounced like the “s” in “sun”. However, in some parts of France, it is pronounced more like the “sh” in “she”.
To pronounce the “s” in Sauvignon like the “s” in “sun”, start by placing your tongue behind your top front teeth. Then, blow air through your teeth while making a vibrating sound with your tongue. This should produce the “s” sound.
To pronounce the “s” in Sauvignon like the “sh” in “she”, start by placing your tongue behind your top front teeth. Then, curl your tongue back slightly and raise it towards the roof of your mouth. Blow air through your tongue while making a vibrating sound. This should produce the “sh” sound.
| Pronunciation | Example |
|---|---|
| “S” like in “sun” | Sauvignon |
| “Sh” like in “she” | Sovignon |
Which pronunciation you use is a matter of personal preference. However, it is important to be consistent with your pronunciation so that others can understand you.
Accenting the Second Syllable
The correct pronunciation of Sauvignon emphasizes the second syllable, “non.” This means that the “au” sound should be pronounced like the word “cow” and the “non” sound should be pronounced with a stressed tone. Therefore, the pronunciation of Sauvignon should sound like “So-vin-non.”
Pronunciation Guide
Here is a table with a breakdown of the pronunciation of Sauvignon:
| Syllable | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| So | Like “so” in “soft” |
| Vin | Like “cow” in “country” |
| Non | Stressed, like “non” in “non-stop” |
By following this guide, you’ll ensure that you’re pronouncing Sauvignon correctly and confidently.
Pronouncing the “O” in “Sau”
The letter “O” in “Sau” should be pronounced with a long, open sound, as in the word “law”. Do not pronounce it with a short, choppy sound, as in the word “cot”.
Emphasizing the “O” in “Sau”
There are two main ways to emphasize the “O” in “Sau”:
-
Lengthen the sound. Hold the “O” for a slightly longer period than the other vowels in the word.
-
Raise the pitch. Pronounce the “O” with a slightly higher pitch than the other vowels in the word.
The table below summarizes the different ways to pronounce the “O” in “Sau”:
| Pronunciation | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| /soʊ/ | Short, choppy sound | Cot |
| /sɔː/ | Long, open sound | Law |
| /sɔː(ʊ)/ | Long, open sound with slight emphasis | Sauvignon |
Avoiding the “i” Vowel
One of the most common mistakes non-native English speakers make when pronouncing Sauvignon is overemphasizing the “i” vowel sound. The correct pronunciation, however, does not include a strong “i” sound. Instead, the vowel should be more of a short “a” or “uh” sound.
To practice this, try saying the following words out loud, paying attention to the vowel sound you make:
- but
- cut
- put
Once you’ve mastered the “uh” sound, apply it to the pronunciation of “Sauvignon”:
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| sow-vih-NYOHN | suh-vih-NYOHN |
Rolling the “R” in “Vign”
Rolling the “r” in “vign” is a tricky but essential part of pronouncing Sauvignon correctly. Here are some tips to master this pronunciation:
1. Start by practicing the “r” sound in isolation. Place the tip of your tongue behind your upper front teeth and blow air out from your throat. Aim for a continuous, vibrating sound.
2. Once you’re comfortable with the “r” sound, try rolling it in the word “vign”. Start by saying “vee-gn” and gradually add more of the “r” sound until you achieve a smooth roll.
3. Practice saying “Sauvignon” slowly, breaking it down into syllables: “Sau-vi-gnon”. Focus on rolling the “r” in “vign” and connect it seamlessly to the rest of the word.
4. Listen to native French speakers pronounce Sauvignon. This will help you get a better sense of the correct sound and intonation.
5. Here is a more detailed breakdown of the steps involved in rolling the “r” in “vign”:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Place the tip of your tongue behind your upper front teeth. |
| 2 | Blow air out from your throat to create a vibrating sound. |
| 3 | Gradually increase the airflow to produce a rolling “r” sound. |
| 4 | Connect the rolling “r” to the rest of the word “vign”. |
| 5 | Practice saying “Sauvignon” slowly, focusing on the rolled “r” in “vign”. |
Lengthening the “E” in “Non”
The “o” in “non” is pronounced like the “o” in “long.” To lengthen this sound, simply hold the “o” for a beat or two longer than you normally would. This will give the word a more relaxed and drawn-out sound.
Here are some tips for lengthening the “e” in “non”:
| Tips |
|---|
| Practice saying the word “non” slowly and deliberately. |
| Exaggerate the length of the “o” sound. |
| Listen to yourself as you say the word and make sure that the “e” sound is long and drawn out. |
With a little practice, you will be able to lengthen the “e” in “non” with ease. This will give your speech a more relaxed and natural sound.
Pronunciation key
Here’s how to pronounce Sauvignon correctly:
| IPA | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| /ˈsɔːvɪnjɒ̃/ | saw-vee-nyawn |
Breaking down the pronunciation
Let’s break down the pronunciation into individual sounds:
- “Saw”: Pronounce the “a” as in “cat.”
- “Vee”: Pronounce the “e” as in “meet.”
- “Nyawn”: This is the trickiest part. Pronounce the “gn” as “ny” (as in “canyon”) and the “on” as “awn” (as in “dawn”).
Pronouncing “Gnon” as “Nyawn”
The key to pronouncing “Gnon” as “Nyawn” lies in relaxing your tongue and jaw. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Place your tongue against the roof of your mouth just behind your front teeth.
- Gently push air through your nasal cavity, creating a resonant “nnnn” sound.
- Gently lower the back of your tongue while maintaining the “nnnn” sound.
- Open your mouth slightly and allow the resonance to flow out, transitioning smoothly into the “aaa” sound of “awn.”
- Practice the transition repeatedly, focusing on maintaining the nasal resonance throughout.
- Once you feel comfortable, try incorporating the “nyawn” sound into the pronunciation of “Sauvignon.”
- Keep practicing until the pronunciation feels natural and effortless.
Intoning the “N” in “Blanc”
The “n” in “blanc” is a nasal consonant, which means it is produced by directing the airflow through the nose while the vocal cords vibrate. This can be a tricky sound for native English speakers to pronounce, as it is not typically used in English.
To correctly intone the “n” in “blanc,” follow these steps:
1. Keep your mouth open and relaxed, as if you were saying the “ah” sound in “father.”
2. Place the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth, just behind your front teeth.
3. Close your soft palate, which is the fleshy flap at the back of your mouth, to prevent airflow from escaping through your mouth.
4. With your soft palate closed, exhale through your nose, vibrating your vocal cords to produce the “n” sound.
Practice:
To practice pronouncing the “n” in “blanc,” try saying the following words out loud:
bon (good)
vin (wine)
blanc (white)
As you practice, pay attention to the position of your tongue, palate, and breath flow, and make adjustments as needed until you can produce the sound clearly and naturally.
Elliding the “T” in “Blanc”
In casual speech, it is common to elide the “t” in “blanc” when it precedes a consonant. For example, instead of saying “Sauvignon Blanc,” you might say “Sauvignon Blahnk” or even “Sav Blanc.” This elision is particularly common in the United States and Australia.
There is no hard and fast rule about when to elide the “t” in “blanc.” However, it is generally more common to do so in informal settings than in formal settings. For example, you might elide the “t” when speaking to friends or family, but you would probably avoid doing so when speaking to a business associate or a stranger.
| Example | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| Sauvignon Blanc | SOH-vin-yon Blahnk |
| Sav Blanc | Sahv Blahnk |
Pronouncing the “C” as a Soft “S” in “Blanc”
The “c” in “blanc” is pronounced as a soft “s,” similar to the “s” in “pleasure.” This is a common pronunciation in French, and it can be challenging for non-native speakers to master.
To pronounce the “c” as a soft “s,” place your tongue behind your upper front teeth and gently blow air over it. The sound should be similar to the “sh” in “ship” or the “s” in “measure.”
Here are some tips for practicing the soft “c” pronunciation:
- Say the word “blanc” slowly, focusing on pronouncing the “c” as a soft “s.”
- Practice saying the word in different contexts, such as “Sauvignon Blanc” or “Blanc de Blancs.”
- Listen to native French speakers pronouncing the word and try to imitate their pronunciation.
With practice, you will be able to pronounce the “c” in “blanc” as a soft “s” with ease.
How To Say Sauvignon
Sauvignon is a type of white wine grape that is used to make a variety of wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Vert, and Sauvignon Gris. The name Sauvignon is pronounced differently depending on the region where it is produced. In France, the traditional pronunciation is “soh-vee-nyawN”. In English-speaking countries, it is more commonly pronounced “sa-vee-nyawN”.
There are two main variations of the Sauvignon grape: Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Vert. Sauvignon Blanc is the more common of the two, and it is used to make a wide range of wines, from dry to sweet. Sauvignon Vert is a less common variety, and it is typically used to make dry white wines.
Sauvignon wines are typically characterized by their high acidity and strong aromas. They often have flavors of citrus, grapefruit, and tropical fruits. Sauvignon Blanc is a particularly popular wine for seafood dishes, as its acidity helps to cut through the richness of the fish.
People Also Ask About How To Say Sauvignon
How do you pronounce Sauvignon in English?
In English-speaking countries, Sauvignon is typically pronounced “sa-vee-nyawN”.
How do you pronounce Sauvignon in French?
In France, the traditional pronunciation of Sauvignon is “soh-vee-nyawN”.
What is the difference between Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Vert?
Sauvignon Blanc is the more common of the two Sauvignon grape varieties, and it is used to make a wide range of wines, from dry to sweet. Sauvignon Vert is a less common variety, and it is typically used to make dry white wines.
