A Guide to French Wine: What to order in Paris

Paris is the place to be when it comes to getting to know French wine, featuring a wide array of options, freshness, and a fair price-quality ratio. In this most complete guide to French wine, you will learn how to read a menu, how to order in French confidently, and how to choose Champagne, red, white, and sweet wine, and without paying any extra!

How to order wine in Paris (sentences and protocol)

If you are wondering how to order wine in Paris without sounding like a clueless tourist, here are some sentences that you can use in order to better put across what you wish to communicate in every situation. Ordering wine in French is easier than it seems!

• Request the carte des vins and tell the sommelier about your style: léger (light), fruité (fruity), minéral (mineral), puissant (strong).
• Ask for a glass (un verre) in order to experiment without committing to a full bottle.
  Use handy sentences such as: “Un verre de rouge/blanc/rosé, s’il vous plaît”, “Quel vin irait mieux avec…?”, “Celui-ci, merci.”
• Note: vin du moment is a recurring expression in menus for the daily choice of wine; it is not a denomination.

France’s wine-growing regions

Next up, you will be presented with a list featuring the main wine-growing regions in France so that you do not lose your way among them. There are so many kinds of French wine so, before you order anything, it is best for you to decide which one you would like to try.

Fret not if this information overwhelms you: at the end of it, you will find a quick map including all styles and regions, as well as the essentials which are commonly featured on most menus!

• Bordeaux: Reds, dry whites, and sweet whites – Main grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc (reds); Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon (whites).
• Burgundy (Bourgogne): Both reds and whites – Main grape varieties: Pinot Noir (reds), Chardonnay (whites).
• Champagne: Sparkling – Main grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier. 
• Loire Valley (Vallée de la Loire): Whites, rosés, reds, and sparkling – Main grape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne, Cabernet Franc.
• Alsace: Whites and sparkling (Crémant d’Alsace) – Main grape varieties: Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat. 
• Provence: Mainly rosés, but also reds and whites – Main grape varieties: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvèdre. 
• Languedoc-Roussillon: Reds, whites, rosés, and sparkling – Main grape varieties: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Chardonnay. 
• Beaujolais: Mainly reds – Main grape variety: Gamay. 
• Jura & Savoie: Whites, reds, sparkling, and oxidative wine (Vin Jaune) – Main grape varieties: Savagnin, Chardonnay, Poulsard, Trousseau. 

Quick map featuring French styles and wine-growing regions (what you will see on the menu)

Here is a quicker, summarized map, featuring the main kinds of French wine and their wine-growing regions, just as you will see them on the menu in any restaurant!

Champagne in Paris: How to read it and when to order it

French champagne is one of the flagship wines in restaurant menus, and a perfect beverage to order at a romantic date or in special celebrations. Therefore, it could not be missing in our French wine guide. But there are many kinds of champagne, so we will help you to tell the differences between them very quickly, as well as providing you with some advice!

• French champagne styles that you will see on the menus: Brut, Brut Nature, Millésimé (harvest), Rosé, Blanc de Blancs (it usually is 100% Chardonnay), Blanc de Noirs (Pinot Noir/Meunier).
• “Dosage”: it indicates the level of residual sugar (Brut Nature is the driest one).
• When to order Champagne: to pair with entrées, seafood and, by and large, for special celebrations (a Brut Nature or a Chablis goes wonderfully with oysters)
• Sparkling alternatives (great PQR): Crémant de Alsace, Crémant de Loire and Crémant de Bourgogne offer delightful French bubbles at a more reasonable price. 

How to choose a French wine by budget (realistic orientation)

Since there are wines for all pockets and budgets, we will now analyze some affordable French wines and, by and large, which is the price per glass or bottle in Paris.

• Price per glass (verre): ~6–12 € at a bistro; 9–15 € in a wine bar (estimate).
• Price per bottle in a restaurant: the best price-quality ratios are commonly found among Loire, Languedoc, Beaujolais, Jura, or Cahors/Madiran wines, whereas those from Bordeaux or Burgundy are more pricey. 
• Ask for the choice of the day (vin du moment) or the sommelier’s suggestion, according to your style and dish.

With a little curiosity and bravery, you will find out that less famous wines can be the most memorable ones!

What to order, depending on the occasion (quick pairings)

Wine is generally paired with our lunches and suppers, so it is high time that we provided you with some tips on what pairings you can do in Paris. Make the most out of your choice of wine by picking the best French dishes!

• Meat bistrot (bœuf bourguignon, confit, entrecôte): Côtes-du-Rhône, a young Bordeaux, or a Beaujolais cru (such as Morgon or Fleurie). Fish and seafood: Sancerre/Pouilly-Fumé or Chablis.
• Fish and seafood: Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé for a fresh and mineral touch; Chablis, should you prefer something more elegant.
• Blue cheese or dessert: Sauternes or Jurançon doux, flavorful and balanced sweet wines.
• Toasts or entrées: Champagne Brut or Blanc de Blancs; as an excellent and more affordable alternative, a Crémant de Alsace, Loire, or Burgundy.

Where to buy and taste wine in Paris

Should you be wondering where to buy wine in Paris, or where to carry out wine tastings, here are some wonderful ideas! The city is packed with nooks and crannies in which you will be able to discover unique labels, have a chat with passionate sommeliers, and sample wines from all regions in France.

• Caves à vin (specialized stores): Paris boasts plenty of caves à vin, veritable wine temples with assortments by region (Burgundy, Bordeaux, Loire, Jura, Rhône, Alsace…). Many of them feature guided wine tastings, from initiations for beginners, all the way to themed sessions revolving around particular regions. Some of them even feature soirées dégustation with guest producers!
• Markets with wine stalls: you can also find local gems in a more informal setting in Parisian markets. The most noteworthy ones are the Marché d’Aligre (12.º arrondissement), with its blend of natural wines and classics, or the Marché des Enfants Rouges (Marais), where smaller producers sell by the glass or bottle. These spots are ideal to find out about new labels while you enjoy artisan cheeses and cold meats.
• Experiences and tasting tours: should you be on the lookout for a more immersive experience, there are wine and cheese workshops, visits to historic wine cellars, or even urban tasting tours across quarters such as Saint-Germain, Montmartre, or Le Marais. There are also wine schools offering short lessons, which are perfect for curious travelers.

Which wines should you avoid ordering in Paris (and what to choose instead)?

Just like in any other wine capital, there are also some products on the menus in Paris with overblown prices, hence you should bear in mind some warnings on this issue in our guide to French wines. Some prestigious names may be tempting, but they do not always offer the best price-quality ratio. We will now tell you about which wines it is best to avoid -and which smarter alternatives you can order so that you enjoy them just as much (or even more) on a more reasonable budget!

Goal: to shun overpriced items on the menu and pick the best price-quality ratio.

• “Label” Bordeaux (Grands Crus Classés 1855). Avoid ordering them in touristy areas or renowned wineries, where the prices skyrocket. They are usually meant to impress, rather than be enjoyed.
  👉 Alternatives: Cru Bourgeois, Fronsac, Castillon–Côtes de Bordeaux or young Graves, with an excellent balance and authenticity.

• Burgundy from famous villages (Côte de Nuits and top whites such as Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault, Chassagne). In centrally located restaurants, the prices for these denominations soar.
  👉 Alternatives: Marsannay, Fixin, Santenay, Saint-Aubin, or even a Bourgogne Rouge/Blanc from a fine producer. For more affordable whites, look for Mâconnais (Viré-Clessé, Saint-Véran).

• “Prestige cuvée” Champagne (great, iconic labels). The têtes de cuvée of famous maisons (Dom Pérignon, Cristal, etc.) hardly ever justify their prices at their restaurants.
  👉 Alternatives: Grower Champagne (RM) Brut or Extra-Brut, crafted by local wine growers with character. Or else an excellent Crémant de Alsace, Loire, or Bourgogne, with quality bubbles and an even better price-quality ratio.

• Mediatic Rhône (i.e. a very famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape). Grand labels, grand prices. But the Rhône offers so much more for less money.
  👉 Alternatives: Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, Cairanne, Rasteau, Saint-Joseph, or Crozes-Hermitage, wines with character and typicity at a fairer price.

• Overpriced “label” whites by the glass. Some menus spike up the prices for their popular whites served by the glass.
  👉 Alternatives: Menetou-Salon, Reuilly, Quincy, Touraine Sauvignon or Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine, perfect for seafood or light meals.

• Seasonal celebrity Rosé. Every summer, some celebrity-backed rosés become fashionable… and overpriced.
  👉 Alternatives: Provence from smaller producers, Tavel (Rhône), or Rosé d’Anjou (Loire), fresh and authentic.

Unmissable French wine glossary (terminology that you will see on labels and menus)

• QPR (Quality Price Ratio): value offered by a wine in accordance with its cost.
• AOC / Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée: origin seal and production regulation of a given zone.
• AOP: a denomination akin to European regulation (protected DO).
• IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée): an intermediate level with broader freedom of varieties and styles.
• Vin de France: without a geographical indication, it is a free style which usually prioritizes its price.
• Cru / Grand Cru / Premier Cru: quality classification (by plot in Burgundy, by château in Bordeaux).
• Terroir: interaction concerning the soil, weather, exposition, and savoir faire.
• Cépage: grape variety (Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay…).
• Cuvée: the specific wine or batch of a cellar; it may mix different plots or harvests.
• Millésimé / Vintage: from a single harvest; NV (Non-Vintage) a blend of several harvests (very common in Champagne).
• Dosage: added sugar after the disgorging of a sparkling wine; it defines Brut, Extra-Brut, Brut Nature.
• Blanc de Blancs: White grape Champagne (usually 100% Chardonnay).
• Blanc de Noirs: Red grape Champagne (Pinot Noir/Meunier).
• RM / NM / CM (Champagne): RM (Récoltant-Manipulant, wine grower-producer), NM (Négociant-Manipulant, great house), CM (cooperative).
• Élevage: aging (cask, deposit, bottle).
• Mis en bouteille au château/domaine: bottled at the property.
• Vieilles Vignes: old grapevines (lower production, greater concentration).
• Tannin / Acidity / Body: structure, freshness, and weight in the mouth.
• Dry / Semi-sweet / Sweet: level of perceptible sugar.
• Verre / Bouteille / Carafe: glass, bottle, pitcher/decanter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which are the four basic types of wine?
The main styles are red, white, rosé, and sparkling, although you will find endless nuances within each one of them in France.

How can I order wine in French without making a mistake?
You can say: “Je voudrais un verre de vin rouge/blanc/rosé, s’il vous plaît” (I would like a glass of red/white/rosé wine, please). If you wish to order a bottle, use “une bouteille de…”. In case of doubt, ask: “Quel vin conseillez-vous avec ce plat ?” (¿Which wine do you recommend with this dish?).

Which wine do you suggest I should order in France?
It depends on the kind of meal: Loire reds or Beaujolais for light meals, Bordeaux or Côtes-du-Rhône for meats, and whites from Burgundy, Alsace, or Loire for fish and seafood. The French usually ask for individual glasses in order to sample several styles.

Which regions offer the best QPR in Paris?
You will find the best QPR in the regions of Loire, Languedoc, Jura, Beaujolais, and the Southwest (Cahors, Madiran). Their wines are less mediatic than those in Bordeaux or Bourgogne, but they offer an outstanding quality for their price.

When should I choose Champagne, and when a Crémant?
Champagne is ideal for celebrations or special toasts, whereas the Crémant (from Alsace, Loire, or Burgundy) offers quality French bubbles at a much more affordable price, which makes it perfect for entrées or informal suppers..

Is it cheaper to buy wine in France than in my country?
Yes, it is, in most cases. France has an enormous local production, and lower taxes for wine. Still, prices can be higher in tourist areas or centrally located restaurants. The caves à vin and specialized supermarkets usually have the best offers.

Which is the best selling wine in France?
The rosé has led internal consumption for years, particularly wines from Provence. It is fresh, versatile, and it is drunk throughout the year, even though it shines the brightest during summer.

Which sweet wine should I order for dessert, or with blue cheese?
The classics feature Sauternes (Bordeaux) and Jurançon doux (Southwest), both of which have honey-like undertones and an excellent balance. They are a perfect match for roquefort, foie gras, or fruit-based desserts.