**[pih-noh gree-zhee-oh]:** This pronunciation is also incorrect. The “h” in “pinot” is silent.
The correct pronunciation of Pinot Grigio is important if you want to sound like a wine connoisseur. So the next time you’re ordering a glass of Pinot Grigio, make sure to pronounce it correctly!
The Italian Origin of the Name
Pinot Grigio is an Italian wine grape variety that is known for its light and crisp flavor. The name “Pinot Grigio” comes from the Italian words “pino” (pine) and “grigio” (gray).
The grape is also known by its French name, “Pinot Gris”.
Pinot Grigio in Italy
Pinot Grigio is one of the most popular white wine grapes in Italy. It is grown in a wide range of regions from the north to the south of the country.
The grape is particularly well-suited to the cool climate of northern Italy,
where it produces wines that are light and crisp with high acidity. In southern Italy, Pinot Grigio wines tend to be fuller-bodied and have lower acidity.
Pinot Grigio is used to make a variety of different wines, including still wines, sparkling wines, and dessert wines. It is also used to make grappa, a traditional Italian brandy.
Pinot Grigio is a versatile grape that can be paired with a wide range of foods. It is a great choice for appetizers, seafood, and light pasta dishes.
Region |
Climate |
Wine Style |
Northern Italy |
Cool |
Light and crisp with high acidity |
Southern Italy |
Warm |
Fuller-bodied with lower acidity |
Variations in Pronunciation
When it comes to pronouncing Pinot Grigio, there are a few variations that you may encounter.
1. English pronunciation:
In English, Pinot Grigio is typically pronounced as “pih-noat-gree-joe.” The accent is placed on the second syllable, and the “g” in “grigio” is pronounced as a hard “g.”
2. Italian pronunciation:
In Italian, Pinot Grigio is pronounced as “pee-noat-gree-joe.” The accent is still placed on the second syllable, but the “g” in “grigio” is pronounced as a soft “g.” This pronunciation is more common in Italy and among wine enthusiasts.
3. American pronunciation:
In America, Pinot Grigio is sometimes pronounced as “pin-oh-gree-joe.” This pronunciation is more casual and is often heard in everyday conversation.
4. Regional variations:
There are also some regional variations in the pronunciation of Pinot Grigio. In some parts of the United States, the accent is placed on the third syllable, resulting in a pronunciation of “pih-noat-gri-joe.” In other areas, the “g” in “grigio” is dropped altogether, resulting in a pronunciation of “pih-noat-ree-joe.”
Diphthongs and Stress
Pronunciation of Pinot Grigio in English requires an understanding of diphthongs and stress. Diphthongs are vowel sounds that glide from one sound to another within the same syllable. In Pinot Grigio, there are two diphthongs:
- “i” in “Pinot” is pronounced like “ee” in “feet”.
- “io” in “Grigio” is pronounced like “ee-oh” in “fee-oh”.
Stress refers to the emphasis placed on certain syllables in a word. In Pinot Grigio, the stress falls on the second syllable, “not”.
Pronouncing the Diphthong “io”
The diphthong “io” in “Grigio” can be tricky to pronounce correctly. Here are some tips:
- Start by saying the vowel sound “ee” as in “feet”.
- Then, gradually glide to the vowel sound “oh” as in “toe”.
- Make sure to keep the glide smooth and fluid.
The following table provides an example of the pronunciation of “io” in “Grigio”:
English word |
IPA transcription |
Grigio |
/ɡriˈdʒio/ |
The Soft “G”
The “g” in Pinot Grigio is pronounced softly, similar to the “g” in “gentle” or “George.” It is never pronounced with a hard sound, like in “giggle” or “gift.”
To pronounce the soft “g,” place the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth and release the air gently. The sound should be subtle and almost whispered.
Here are some examples of how to pronounce the soft “g” in Pinot Grigio:
Correct Pronunciation |
Incorrect Pronunciation |
pee-no gree-zhee-oh |
pee-no gree-gee-zhee-oh |
pee-no gree-joh |
pee-no gree-guh-oh |
Practice pronouncing the soft “g” by saying the following words:
- Gentle
- George
- Ginger
- Giraffe
- Give
Listening to Native Speakers
An excellent way to improve your pronunciation of Pinot Grigio is to listen to native speakers. There are a few different ways you can do this:
- Watch videos on YouTube: There are many videos on YouTube of native English speakers pronouncing Pinot Grigio. Watching these videos can help you get a sense of how the word is pronounced in real-world situations.
- Listen to podcasts: There are also a number of podcasts that feature native English speakers talking about wine. Listening to these podcasts can help you get used to the rhythm and intonation of spoken English, which can make it easier to pronounce Pinot Grigio correctly.
- Talk to a native speaker: If you know a native English speaker, ask them to help you pronounce Pinot Grigio. They can provide you with feedback on your pronunciation and help you to make corrections.
Practice speaking Pinot Grigio out loud several times. The more you practice, the better your pronunciation will become.
Pronunciation Tips
Here are a few pronunciation tips for Pinot Grigio:
- The “o” in Pinot is pronounced like the “o” in “hot.”
- The “i” in Pinot is pronounced like the “i” in “sit.”
- The “g” in Grigio is pronounced like the “g” in “get.”
- The “i” in Grigio is pronounced like the “i” in “sit.”
- The “o” in Grigio is pronounced like the “o” in “hot.”
- The “o” in Pinot Grigio is stressed, so it is pronounced slightly louder than the other syllables.
- The “t” in Pinot Grigio is silent.
- The “o” in Pinot Grigio is pronounced like the “o” in “hot.”
Word |
Pronunciation |
Pinot |
pee-NOH |
Grigio |
grig-EE-oh |
Pinot Grigio |
pee-NOH grig-EE-oh |
Using Pronunciation Guides
Pronunciation guides can be very helpful when you are trying to learn how to pronounce a word correctly. Here are a few tips on how to use them effectively:
- Choose a reliable source. There are many different pronunciation guides available online, but not all of them are created equal. Choose a guide that is produced by a reputable organization, such as a dictionary or language school.
- Use the guide consistently. The more you use the guide, the more familiar you will become with the pronunciation symbols and the rules for using them. This will make it easier to pronounce words correctly.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you are still having trouble pronouncing a word, don’t be afraid to ask a native speaker for help. They will be happy to provide you with feedback on your pronunciation.
Pronunciation of Pinot Grigio
The correct pronunciation of Pinot Grigio in English is “pih-noh gree-jee-oh”. However, there is some variation in the pronunciation of the word, especially in the United States. Some people pronounce it as “pih-not gree-jee-oh”, while others pronounce it as “pih-naw gree-jee-oh”.
The following table shows the correct pronunciation of Pinot Grigio using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA):
IPA Symbol |
Sound |
piː |
p as in “pea” |
nɑːt |
n as in “not” |
ɡriː |
g as in “green” |
dʒiː |
j as in “joy” |
oʊ |
o as in “boat” |
How To Say Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is a white wine grape variety that originated in the Burgundy region of France. It is also known as Pinot Gris in France and Switzerland, and as Grauburgunder in Germany. Pinot Grigio is a versatile grape that can be used to make a variety of wines, from light and refreshing to full-bodied and complex. The pronunciation of Pinot Grigio can vary depending on the region where it is produced. In Italy, it is typically pronounced “pee-noht gree-jee-oh.” In France, it is pronounced “pee-noht gree.” In the United States, it is commonly pronounced “pin-oh gree-jee-oh.”
People Also Ask About How To Say Pinot Grigio
How do you pronounce Pinot Grigio in Italian?
pee-noht gree-jee-oh
How do you pronounce Pinot Grigio in French?
pee-noht gree
How do you pronounce Pinot Grigio in English?
pin-oh gree-jee-oh