A glass of white wine
in SpanishUna copa de vino blanco
/OO-nah KOH-pah deh BEE-noh BLAHN-koh/
This is the standard, grammatically complete way to order or describe a glass of white wine anywhere in the Spanish-speaking world.
Remember to ask for a 'copa' (stemmed glass) when ordering wine, not a 'vaso'.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Un vino blanco
/oon BEE-noh BLAHN-koh/
A slightly shorter version commonly used when ordering in a busy bar or restaurant. It implies 'a glass of'.
Una copita de vino blanco
/OO-nah koh-PEE-tah deh BEE-noh BLAHN-koh/
Using the diminutive 'copita' makes the request sound friendlier, more modest, or 'cute'. It doesn't necessarily mean a smaller portion.
Un blanco
/oon BLAHN-koh/
The most abbreviated form. In a bar context, the word 'wine' is understood.
Un [Grape Name]
/oon [Albariño / Rueda / Chardonnay]/
In wine-producing countries, it is very common to order by the grape or region rather than just saying 'white wine'.
Un chato de vino
/oon CHAH-toh deh BEE-noh/
Refers to a specific type of short, wide glass used in traditional Spanish taverns. Usually implies a cheap, house wine.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Different ways to order based on where you are and who you are with.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Una copa de vino blanco | Neutral/Polite | Any restaurant or formal setting | You want to sound like a casual regular at a dive bar |
| Un blanco | Casual | Busy bars, nightclubs, casual hangouts | Fine dining or very formal events |
| Un [Grape/Region] | Knowledgeable | Wine bars, Spain, Argentina, Chile | You don't know wine types well |
📈Difficulty Level
Very easy, just remember that 'Vino' sounds like 'Bino' and vowels are short and crisp.
Simple noun-adjective pairing. Just remember the gender (vino is masculine).
Knowing when to order by grape/region vs. just saying 'white' separates tourists from locals.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering 'Copa' instead of 'Vaso'
- Pronouncing the Spanish 'V' as a soft 'B'
💡Examples in Action
Me gustaría una copa de vino blanco, por favor.
I would like a glass of white wine, please.
¿Me pone un blanco, por favor?
Can you get me a white (wine), please?
Para mí, un Chardonnay bien frío.
For me, a very cold Chardonnay.
¿Tienen vino blanco dulce o solo seco?
Do you have sweet white wine or only dry?
🌍Cultural Context
Copa vs. Vaso
This is the most important distinction! In Spanish, wine is always served in a 'copa' (a glass with a stem). A 'vaso' is a tumbler used for water, juice, or soda. Asking for a 'vaso de vino' sounds odd to native speakers, like asking for wine in a coffee mug, unless you are drinking very cheap table wine in a rustic setting.
Temperature Matters
In Spanish-speaking countries, white wine is expected to be served cold ('frío' or 'helado'). If it's not cold enough, it's culturally acceptable to ask for an ice bucket ('una hielera') or simply ask, '¿Está frío?' before ordering.
The Free Tapa
In many parts of Spain (especially the south), ordering 'un vino blanco' often comes with a small free snack called a 'tapa'. It might be olives, chips, or a small piece of bread with cheese. Don't be surprised if food appears with your drink!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Asking for a 'Vaso'
Mistake: "Quiero un vaso de vino blanco."
Correction: Quiero una copa de vino blanco.
Using 'de' incorrectly
Mistake: "Un vino de blanco."
Correction: Un vino blanco.
Pronouncing the 'V' like in English
Mistake: "Pronouncing 'Vino' with a buzzing /v/ sound."
Correction: Pronounce it closer to 'Bino'.
💡Pro Tips
Ordering by Region (The Pro Move)
Especially in Spain, instead of saying 'blanco', try asking for the region. Saying '¿Me pones un Rueda?' (a popular white wine region) makes you sound like a local expert.
Dry vs. Sweet
If you don't like sweet wine, memorize the word 'seco' (dry). You can ask, '¿Es seco o afrutado?' (Is it dry or fruity?) to ensure you get what you like.
House Wine
If you're on a budget, ask for 'el vino de la casa' (the house wine). It's usually a decent, affordable white wine served by the glass.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
In Spain, white wine is almost synonymous with the regions 'Rueda' (Verdejo grape) or 'Rías Baixas' (Albariño grape). It is very common to order by these names.
Argentina
Argentina is famous for 'Torrontés', a floral white wine. Ordering this specifically shows you appreciate their national white grape.
Chile
Chile produces massive amounts of crisp white wine. It is very common to specify the grape variety here.
Mexico
Mexico's wine region (Valle de Guadalupe) is booming. Asking specifically for 'vino mexicano' is a great compliment to the host.
💬What Comes Next?
The waiter asks which specific wine you want
¿Cuál prefiere? / ¿Rioja o Rueda?
Which do you prefer? / Rioja or Rueda?
El de la casa está bien.
The house wine is fine.
They bring the wine and you want to toast
Aquí tiene.
Here you go.
¡Salud!
Cheers!
🔄How It Differs from English
The main difference is the strict container distinction. In English, 'cup', 'glass', and 'mug' are distinct, but we might loosely say 'a cup of wine' without total confusion. In Spanish, 'copa' (stemmed glass) and 'vaso' (tumbler) are never interchangeable for wine.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Translating 'cup' as 'taza' refers to a coffee mug. Translating it as 'vaso' refers to a water glass.
Use instead: Copa (stemmed glass)
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say a glass of red wine
The natural counterpart; note that in Spain red wine is often called 'tinto', not 'rojo'.
The check, please
You'll need this to pay for your wine!
Cheers
Essential for social drinking contexts.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: A glass of white wine
Question 1 of 3
You are at a nice restaurant. How should you ask for a glass of white wine?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just say 'un blanco'?
Yes! In a bar or restaurant context where drinks are being served, saying 'un blanco, por favor' is perfectly natural and very common.
Do I pronounce the 'v' in 'vino' like in English?
Ideally, no. In Spanish, the 'v' sounds very similar to a soft 'b'. It should sound more like 'BEE-noh' than 'VEE-noh' with a buzzing vibration.
What if I want sparkling white wine?
Sparkling wine is usually called 'Cava' (in Spain) or 'Espumoso' (general). You would ask for 'una copa de Cava'.
Is 'vino blanco' masculine or feminine?
The word 'vino' is masculine, so it is 'un' vino or 'el' vino. However, the glass ('copa') is feminine, so it is 'una' copa.
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