Mendoza exports wine to over 100 countries and receives thousands of foreign tourists every year. If you work in the wine sector — whether in a winery, as a sommelier, tour guide, or in exports — mastering wine vocabulary in English is a huge competitive advantage. This guide has everything you need.
Why Learn Wine Vocabulary in English?
countries Mendoza exports wine to
of wine tourists speak English
more job opportunities with fluent English
International sommelier certification exams (WSET, Court of Master Sommeliers) are taken in English. Meetings with foreign importers are in English. Winery tours for international tourists are in English. If you want to advance in the wine industry, English is not optional.
Basic Wine Vocabulary in English (Complete Table)
The 25 essential terms every wine professional in Mendoza needs to know:
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Vino tinto | Red wine | red WINE |
| Vino blanco | White wine | white WINE |
| Vino rosado | Rosé wine | ro-ZAY wine |
| Vino espumante | Sparkling wine | SPARK-ling wine |
| Vino dulce | Dessert wine | deh-ZERT wine |
| Bodega | Winery / Wine cellar | WHY-ner-ee |
| Catador | Wine taster / Sommelier | so-mel-YAY |
| Copa | Wine glass | wine GLASS |
| Cata | Wine tasting | wine TAST-ing |
| Uva | Grape | GRAPE |
| Añada | Vintage | VIN-tij |
| Corcho | Cork | CORK |
| Sacacorchos | Corkscrew | CORK-screw |
| Maridaje | Food pairing | food PAIR-ing |
| Tanino | Tannin | TAN-in |
| Acidez | Acidity | a-SID-i-tee |
| Bouquet | Bouquet / Aroma | boo-KAY |
| Decantador | Decanter | de-CANT-er |
| Fermentación | Fermentation | fer-men-TAY-shun |
| Roble | Oak | OAK |
| Cosecha | Harvest | HAR-vest |
| Vendimia | Harvest season / Vintage | HAR-vest SEE-zun |
| Cepa | Grape variety | grape va-RYE-et-ee |
| Reserva | Reserve | reh-ZERV |
| Gran Reserva | Gran Reserve | gran reh-ZERV |
Phrases to Describe Aromas and Flavors in English
Knowing how to describe a wine in English is the most important skill for an international sommelier. These are the most used descriptors:
Model phrases to use in a tasting:
Fruity: "This wine shows ripe cherry and blackberry on the nose"
Oaky: "I get vanilla and toasted oak from the barrel aging"
Earthy: "There are earthy notes of leather and tobacco"
🌸 Floral: "The Torrontés is beautifully floral — jasmine and rose petals"
🌶️ Spicy: "There's a hint of black pepper on the finish"
| Spanish | English | Examples / Context |
|---|---|---|
| Afrutado | Fruity | fruity, berry, cherry, peach |
| Con roble | Oaky | vanilla, toasted oak, cedar |
| Terroso | Earthy | leather, tobacco, forest floor |
| Floral | Floral | jasmine, rose, lavender |
| Especiado | Spicy | black pepper, clove, cinnamon |
| Tánico | Tannic | firm, grippy, drying |
| Ácido | Acidic | crisp, tart, zesty |
| Suave | Smooth | silky, velvety, round |
| Cuerpo pleno | Full-bodied | rich, weighty, dense |
| Ligero | Light-bodied | delicate, thin, fresh |
| Seco | Dry | not sweet, austere |
| Dulce | Sweet | honeyed, jammy, luscious |
How to Conduct a Wine Tasting in English (Step by Step)
Complete script for presenting a wine tasting in English to foreign tourists:
"Welcome to our wine tasting experience. Today we'll be exploring some of Mendoza's finest wines from the Luján de Cuyo region."
"Let's start by looking at the color and clarity of the wine. Hold your glass against the light and tilt it slightly."
"Now, gently swirl your glass to release the aromas and bring it to your nose. What do you detect?"
"Take a small sip and let the wine coat your entire palate. Notice the tannins, the acidity, and the fruit character."
"Notice how long the flavors linger after you swallow. A long, complex finish is a sign of a high-quality wine."
Vocabulary for Working in a Winery
Beyond the tasting, these are the terms you use in day-to-day winery work:
Vid / Parra
Viñedo
Cosecha / Vendimia
Cuba de fermentación
Barrica de roble
Cava / Bodega
Enólogo / Viñatero
Enólogo
Blend / Mezcla
Varietal (cepa única)
Vino de finca propia
Denominación de origen
Types of Wine in English (with Argentine Varieties)
The main wine categories with their most representative Mendoza varieties:
(Vino Tinto)
Malbec (Argentina's flagship)
Cabernet Sauvignon
Bonarda
Merlot
Syrah
(Vino Blanco)
Torrontés (Argentina's unique white)
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Gris
Viognier
(Vino Rosado)
Rosé de Malbec
Rosé de Pinot Noir
Rosé de Syrah
(Vino Espumante)
Champenoise method
Charmat method
Brut
Extra Brut
Demi-sec
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say catador de vinos in English?
A catador de vinos is called 'wine taster' or 'sommelier' in English. In more formal industry contexts, 'wine professional' or 'wine expert' is used. The term 'sommelier' is of French origin but is widely used in English.
How do you say bodega de vinos in English?
In English, 'bodega' translates as 'winery' when referring to the production company, or 'wine cellar' when referring to the physical place where wine is stored. You can also hear 'wine estate' for larger or luxury wineries.
What phrases are used in a wine tasting in English?
The most common phrases are: 'This wine has notes of...', 'The finish is long and smooth', 'I detect hints of oak and vanilla', and 'The tannins are well-balanced'.
How do you say corcho in English?
Corcho is 'cork' in English. You'll also hear related terms: 'corkscrew', 'corked wine' (wine with cork defect, damp smell), and 'screw cap' (alternative to cork).
Where can I learn wine industry English in Mendoza?
At Go Fluent Academy we have a technical English program for the wine industry in Mendoza. You learn the specific vocabulary of the sector, practice real winery conversations, and perfect your English to serve foreign visitors or work in exports.
Take Your Wine Industry English to the Next Level
Do you work in wineries or wine tourism and need technical English? At Go Fluent Academy we design specific programs for the wine industry in Mendoza.
Fundadora & Certified Neurolanguage Coach® | Go Fluent Academy Mendoza
Con +15 años de experiencia en educación de idiomas, la Prof. Chocobar Ozkok es Licenciada en Enseñanza de Inglés (UNCuyo), Máster en Lingüística Aplicada (Alemania), y especialista certificada en Neurociencia y Aprendizaje de Idiomas. Ha enseñado en 5 países y ayudado a más de 10,000 estudiantes.
Si querés bajar esto a un plan concreto, primero conocé tu nivel de inglés. Go Fluent Academy es una academia local e independiente con base en Mendoza, Argentina, y no forma parte de goFLUENT S.A.
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