Grammar and Alcohol

Question

I have a question regarding capitalizing pinot and burgundy. I've read conflicting information on the net and cannot seem to locate a good source. I've read if it's named after a place, it's capitalized, and Burgundy should be. But pinot wouldn't. Does anyone know the rule, and if there are exceptions to the rule based on the use?

Rover_KE · Accepted Answer

I love both grammar and wine, and the advice to capitalise if it's the name of a place and not if it's a grape variety is sound.

There's no rule about it.

Rover

Mister Micawber · Answer

Words change: proper names become generic. That's why you can find these in both forms in reputable dictionaries. Ergo. there is no absolute rule. You may use whichever you choose (or your editor chooses):

RANDOM HOUSE:

Burgundy. 2. wine, of many varieties, red and white, mostly still, full, and dry, produced in the Burgundy region.

3.(often lowercase) red wine with similar characteristics madeelsewhere.

MERRIAM-WEBSTER:

burgundy. plural bur·gun·dies. often capitalized : a red or white unblended wine from Burgundy; also : a blended red wine produced elsewhere

OXFORD:

burgundy. noun (plural burgundies)

[mass noun] a wine from Burgundy (usually taken to be red unless otherwise specified):a glass of Burgundy.

[count noun]:elegant red burgundies

RANDOM HOUSE

Pi·not

1.any of several varieties of purple or white vinifera grapesyielding a red or white wine, used especially in makingburgundies and champagnes.

2.a red (Pinot Noir) or white (Pinot Blanc) wine made fromthis grape.

AMERICAN HERITAGE

pi·not

Any of several related white or red grapes chiefly grown on the West Coast and in France.
A white or red wine made from these grapes.

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