How to Order
Wine in French

Wine is a mainstay of French culture. It’s served both at lunch and at dinner – paired according to the meal – and is discussed with great pride and affection. For travelers, trying new wines offers a taste of the local terroir as well as an appreciation of the deeply rooted traditions of everyday french life. 

Ordering Wine in France

On your trip to France, why not order wine as the locals do? Just follow these key words and phrases.

• Vin – Wine
  (pronunciation: vang) 
  
• Vin rouge – Red wine
  (pronunciation: vang rooz) 
  
• Vin blanc – White wine
  (pronunciation: vang blahng)
  
• Vin – Wine
  (pronunciation: vang) 
  
• Vin rosé – Rosé wine
  (pronunciation: vang ro-zay) 
  
• Vin pétillant – Sparkling wine
  (pronunciation: vang peh-tee-yahn)
  
• Champange – Champagne
  (pronunciation: shahm-pah-nyuh) 
  
• Un verre de vin – A glass of wine
  (pronunciation: ang vehr de vang) 
  
• une bouteille de vin – A bottle of wine
  (pronunciation: ewn bootehy de vang) 
  
• Un demi-litre de vin – A half-liter of wine
  (pronunciation: ang duh-mee leetr de vang) 
  
• Une pichet de vin – A carafe of wine
  (pronunciation: ang pee-sheh de vang) 
  
• S’il vous plaît – Please
  (pronunciation: seel-voo-pleh) 
  
• Merci – Thank you
   (pronunciation: mehrsee) 
  
• Carte des vins – Wine menu
  (pronunciation: kart deh vang)
  

Wine Culture and Dining Etiquette in France

In France, wine is more than just a drink, it’s a ritual. Locals often choose wine based on regional availability, the season, and of course, the food.

For example, a crisp white wine may accompany a seafood lunch in Brittany, while a bold red is common with beef dishes in Bordeaux. Most restaurants offer a carefully curated wine list, often highlighting bottles from nearby vineyards.

It’s perfectly acceptable to ask your server for a wine recommendation...

• Use the phrase:
  "Qu’est-ce que vous recommandez?"  – What do you recommend?
  (pronunciation: kest-keh voo ruh-kuh-mahn-day?)
• You might also ask:
  "Quel vin va bien avec ce plat?" – Which wine goes well with this dish?
  (pronunciation: kehl van vah byan ah-veck suh plah?)

Regional Wine Tips

If you’re traveling across different parts of France, try to sample local wines in each region. Want to learn more? Check out this guide to our favorite wine regions of France.

• Bordeaux – famous for full-bodied reds
• Burgundy (Bourgogne) – known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
• Alsace – offers excellent Riesling and Gewürztraminer
• Champagne – the only region allowed to officially produce “Champagne”
• Provence – beloved for its dry, pale rosés
• Loire Valley – known for refreshing Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc

Ordering “un verre de vin du pays” (a glass of local wine) is a great way to sample regional specialties at a fair price.

More Wine Vocabulary: A Few Extras

Here are more useful words to help you navigate a French wine list:

House Wines and Carafes

When dining at a casual bistro or brasserie, you’ll often see affordable house wines available by the glass, half-liter, or liter. These house wines are usually local, simple, and food-friendly, perfect for everyday meals.

Use the following terms:

• Un pichet de vin rouge/blanc – A small carafe of red/white wine
• Un quart / un demi / un litre – A quarter-liter / half-liter / full liter

Why Ordering Wine Matters

Ordering wine in French isn’t just about the language, it’s about engaging with the culture. Whether you’re enjoying a picnic near a vineyard or having dinner in a Parisian café, using local phrases and appreciating regional wines shows respect for French traditions. It also elevates your travel experience with memorable meals and meaningful encounters.