Language/French/Vocabulary/Beverages-and-Drinking-Habits

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French Vocabulary → Food and Drink → Beverages and Drinking Habits

Beverages and Drinking Habits[edit | edit source]

Popular French Beverages[edit | edit source]

France is renowned for its wines, cremants, and champagnes. Apart from these, there are many other popular French drinks that you might have never heard of!

Wines[edit | edit source]

France is the largest wine producer and exporter in the world and is known for its vineyards and wineries.

Some of the popular wine regions that you should know of are:

  • Bordeaux
  • Champagne
  • Loire Valley
  • Burgundy
  • Rhône Valley

In these regions, you can find different types of red, white, and rosé wines.

Here are some common French wine terms and their English translations:

French Pronunciation English
Vin rouge vahn roozh Red wine
Vin blanc vahn blahnk White wine
Vin rosé vahn roh-zay Rosé wine
Cépage say-pahj Grape variety
Millésime mee-lay-zeem Vintage year

Cremants and Champagnes[edit | edit source]

Champagne is the most famous sparkling wine and is associated with luxury and celebration. However, there are other sparkling wines that are just as delicious, but are not as well known outside of France.

Cremants are sparkling wines that are made using the same methods as champagne but are produced in other regions of France. The regions known for producing cremants are:

  • Alsace
  • Bourgogne/Burgundy
  • Jura
  • Loire Valley
  • Limoux

Here are some common French terms related to sparkling wines:

French Pronunciation English
Champagne sham-peyn Champagne (sparkling wine produced in the Champagne region)
Cremant kruh-mahnt Cremant (sparkling wine produced in all other regions of France)
Mousseux moo-suh Sparkling (used for still wines with carbon dioxide added)
Pétillant pay-tee-yan Lightly sparkling (literally "prickling")

Non-alcoholic Beverages[edit | edit source]

Apart from wines and champagnes, there are various non-alcoholic drinks which are popular in France:

  • Eau (Water): You can find different types of mineral water (eau minérale) and still water (eau plate) in France. You'll hear people in restaurants asking for "une carafe d'eau" (a jug of tap water).
  • Café (Coffee): Espresso is popular in France, and you can also find other variants such as café americano and café au lait.
  • Thé (Tea): You can find different types of tea in France, and some of the popular ones are earl grey, green tea, and chamomile tea.
  • Jus (Juice): You can find different types of fruit juices such as apple juice (jus de pomme), orange juice (jus d'orange), and grapefruit juice (jus de pamplemousse).
  • Limonade (Lemonade): A fizzy drink made from lemons. You can also find other fruit flavored sparkling drinks under the umbrella term of this drink.
  • Sirop (Syrup): You can drink different types of syrups, and commonly you will find it served with water (un verre de sirop d'orgeat is a popular drink served during summer time).

French Drinking Habits[edit | edit source]

In France, drinking is a big part of the culture, and there are a few etiquettes that you might want to know before going to a restaurant or bar.

Apéro[edit | edit source]

An aperitif or apéro is a drink that you have before a meal. It is a prelude to the meal and is usually accompanied by some snacks or light bites.

Some popular apéros are:

  • Kir (white wine with Crème de Cassis, a sweet liqueur made from blackcurrants)
  • Ricard (anise-flavored spirit that turns milky when mixed with water)
  • Martini (vermouth soaked in herbs and spices)
  • Lillet (a French fortified wine flavored with fruit liqueurs and quinine)

Wine at meals[edit | edit source]

Wine is often served with meals in France. It is believed that drinking wine with food enhances the flavors and textures of the dish. The right wine can complement a dish and make it even better!

Here are some guidelines that you might find useful:

  • Red wine is usually served with meat such as beef or lamb.
  • White wine pairs well with fish and chicken (and cream sauces).
  • Champagne goes with oysters, and other seafood dishes. It also complements cheese and desserts.
  • Rosé wine pairs well with raw or cooked vegetables, and spicy dishes.
  • Wine should be served at room temperature, which is around 16°C for red wine and 8-12°C for white wine.

Toasting[edit | edit source]

In France, it is customary to say "Santé!" (health) or "Tchin tchin!" (cheers) when raising a glass to toast. When you clink glasses, always maintain eye contact with the person you are toasting. It is also customary to wait for everyone to clink glasses and say something before taking a sip.

Fasting and Carnival[edit | edit source]

Apart from the drinking habits, there are some traditions in France that involve drinking:

Fasting[edit | edit source]

In France, there is a ritual known as la chasse (the hunt), where groups of people go into the forest to hunt for mushrooms and chestnuts. The day before the hunt, people observe a fast known as la Sainte Barbe. During this fast, people are not allowed to eat any meat or drink any alcohol. The fast can last anywhere from 24 hours to 9 days.

Carnival[edit | edit source]

France is known for its elaborate carnival celebrations. One of the most famous carnival festivals in France is held in Nice. During this festival, people drink a lot of alcohol (mainly wine) and dance in the streets. The celebrations usually last for several days, and the highlight of the carnival is the parade of floats.

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

In this lesson, you have learned about popular French beverages and drinking habits. You now know what types of wine to order with certain dishes and how to toast like a French person.

Keep in mind that France is a country with a rich drinking culture, but it is also important to drink responsibly. Bonne santé !

Sources[edit | edit source]


Now that you've completed this lesson, don't stop learning! Check out these related topics: Food and Eating Habits & Expressions with the Word "Amour".

Other Lessons[edit | edit source]


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