A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Merlot
Pronounce this popular red wine correctly: mer-LOH. It's a common grape and wine name.
merlot
mer-LOH
/mɛʁˈloʊ/ · mer · loh
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's one of the most popular red wine varietals worldwide.
Where the word comes from
The name 'Merlot' comes from the Old French word 'merlot', meaning 'little blackbird'. This is likely due to the grape's dark color.
Common ways people get it wrong
- MER-lot The stress is on the second syllable, not the first. Think of it like 'hello' with the stress on 'lo'.
- mer-LOW The final 't' is silent in French, but in English pronunciation, it's often pronounced like 'oh', not 'ow'.
Frequently asked
Is merlot a red or white wine?
Merlot is a red wine. It's made from dark-skinned grape varietals.
What does merlot taste like?
Merlot wines are often described as having flavors of plum, black cherry, and sometimes chocolate or vanilla notes. They tend to be medium-bodied and smooth.
What is the correct way to pronounce Merlot wine?
Merlot is pronounced "mehr-LOH". The emphasis is on the second syllable.
Is the T silent in Merlot?
Yes, the final 't' in Merlot is silent. It is pronounced as "mehr-LOH".
How do you pronounce Merlot in French?
In French, Merlot is pronounced similarly to the English "mehr-LOH", with a soft 'r' sound and a nasalized vowel at the end.
How do you pronounce Merlot in English?
In English, Merlot is commonly pronounced as "mehr-LOH", with the emphasis on the second syllable and a silent 't'.
