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How Do You Pronounce "Alicante Bouschet"

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How do you pronounce the "Alicante" in "Alicante Bouschet?"

"Alicant--" with a silent "e"
5
29%
"Alicantee" with a long "e" as in "we"
1
6%
"Alicantay" with an "a" sound as in "pay"
11
65%
 
Total votes : 17
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Gary Barlettano

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How Do You Pronounce "Alicante Bouschet"

by Gary Barlettano » Thu Jul 20, 2006 11:37 am

As a former linguist, translator, and language teacher, I've found that, if I want to be understood by the majority of the people, the "right way" to say things is to say them like the majority of the populace would. And it really doesn't make a difference what the book-learnin' dictates. Pronunciations and definitions appear to be more a matter of agreement and convention than some normative rule from out in philosophical space. (cf. our discussions on the meaning of "terroir.")

So, now we have this word "Alicante Bouschet." It seems most everyone pronounces the "Bouschet" part the same, i.e. "boo-shay." When it comes to the "Alicante" part, it gets interesting. In my travels I hear three different main variants and the one I tend to use is the one least heard and I've begun to swing unconsciously to a different pronunciation.

How does your gut (not your dictionary) tell you to pronounce the "Alicante" in "Alicante Bouschet?" This is one of those answer-without-thinking-about-it questions. And we can talk about the "a" in the "cant" part another time.
Last edited by Gary Barlettano on Thu Jul 20, 2006 11:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Peter May

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Re: How Do You Pronounce "Alicante Bouschet"

by Peter May » Thu Jul 20, 2006 11:46 am

Alicante is a popular Spanish seaside destination for UK holidaymakers - its the home of the Costas, so its a familiar word here.

There's a puzzling statement in Anthony Hawkins guide "In the cool Champagne region of France it is the main grape used to make the sweet "vin mousseux" (sparkling wine)." Unlikely I'd have thought for at least two reasons.
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Andrew Shults

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Re: How Do You Pronounce "Alicante Bouschet"

by Andrew Shults » Thu Jul 20, 2006 3:41 pm

My choice isn't available: "Alicantay" (no extra "n")

A Winebow/Locascio rep. pronounced it that way at a tasting, so I just assumed that was correct.
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Gary Barlettano

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Re: How Do You Pronounce "Alicante Bouschet"

by Gary Barlettano » Thu Jul 20, 2006 3:57 pm

Andrew Shults wrote:My choice isn't available: "Alicantay" (no extra "n")

A Winebow/Locascio rep. pronounced it that way at a tasting, so I just assumed that was correct.


Yeah, I kind of screwed up and didn't notice that extra "n" before the "c " until it was too late. I don't seem to be able to edit the poll to get it out.
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James Roscoe

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Re: How Do You Pronounce "Alicante Bouschet"

by James Roscoe » Thu Jul 20, 2006 4:33 pm

Where's the "Who cares? Just pass me the bottle." choice?
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Robin Garr

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Re: How Do You Pronounce "Alicante Bouschet"

by Robin Garr » Thu Jul 20, 2006 4:34 pm

Gary Barlettano wrote:Yeah, I kind of screwed up and didn't notice that extra "n" before the "c " until it was too late. I don't seem to be able to edit the poll to get it out.


No, but with my Awesome Powers™, I can!
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Gary Barlettano

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Re: How Do You Pronounce "Alicante Bouschet"

by Gary Barlettano » Thu Jul 20, 2006 4:46 pm

Robin Garr wrote:No, but with my Awesome Powers™, I can!


Sigh! My hero! Thanks!

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