A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Sauvignon
Pronounce 'Sauvignon' like 'suh-VIN-yun' for the popular wine and the French surname.
sauvignon
suh-VIN-yun
/səˈvɪn.jən/ · suh · vin · yun
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's also the surname of the famous painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, whose mother was a member of the de Toulouse-Lautrec family, and whose father was Count Alphonse de Toulouse-Lautrec, a descendant of the Counts of Toulouse, and also a descendant of the Counts of Foix and the Counts of Toulouse-Lautrec. It can also appear on menus or in wine reviews.
Where the word comes from
The word 'Sauvignon' comes from the French word for 'wild' or 'savage', likely referring to the wild vine that grew in the region where the grape originated. It's used for both a grape variety and a surname.
Common ways people get it wrong
- SAW-vihn-yon This common mistake comes from trying to pronounce the 'au' like in 'sauce' and adding an extra syllable. Focus on the 'uh' sound at the beginning and the 'yun' at the end.
- SOH-vee-nyon The 'au' in French is usually an 'aw' or 'oh' sound, but in this context, it's softened to 'suh'. The 'gn' is a 'ny' sound, not 'n-yon'.
Frequently asked
How do you say Sauvignon Blanc?
It's pronounced 'suh-VIN-yun BLAHNG'. The 'Blanc' part rhymes with 'song' but with a slightly more nasal 'ong' sound.
Is Sauvignon French?
Yes, 'Sauvignon' is a French word and surname. The pronunciation reflects its French origins.
What does Sauvignon mean?
In French, 'sauvage' means 'wild', and 'sauvignon' is thought to derive from that, possibly referring to the wild vine.
