A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Sauternes
Pronounce this sweet French dessert wine, with a French 'r' and a soft 's'.
sauternes
saw-TERN
/sɔˈtɛʁn/ · sau · ternes
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's a specific type of sweet white wine, often served as a dessert wine.
Where the word comes from
The name comes from the Sauternes region in Bordeaux, France, famous for its sweet white wines made from grapes affected by noble rot.
Common ways people get it wrong
- saw-TER-nuhs English speakers often add an extra syllable or pronounce the final 's' as a separate sound. The final 's' is silent in French.
- SAW-turns This mispronunciation swaps the vowel sound and the 'r' sound. Focus on the 'ter' sound in the second syllable.
Frequently asked
How do you pronounce the 'r' in Sauternes?
The 'r' sound is French, made in the back of the throat, similar to a soft gargle. It's not the hard 'r' common in American English.
Is Sauternes a sweet wine?
Yes, Sauternes are famously sweet white wines. They are made from grapes that have been affected by 'noble rot' (Botrytis cinerea), which concentrates their sugars.
What's the best way to remember the pronunciation?
Think of 'saw' followed by 'TERNE' with a French 'r'. The stress is on the second syllable, 'TERNE'.
