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Revision as of 17:11, 29 March 2023
◀️ Food and Eating Habits — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Sports and Fitness Activities ▶️ |
Beverages and Drinking Habits
Popular French Beverages
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Apart from the drinking habits, there are some traditions in France that involve drinking:
Fasting
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
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
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
- French Vocabulary → Food and Drink → Beverages and Drinking ...
- What's a Typical French Breakfast? ☕️
- The eating habits of the French + vocabulary
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
- Santé
- Useful sentences
- Parts of the Body
- Food
- Drinks
- English French False Cognates
- Tools
- Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers
- Les 4 saisons
- Expressions with the Word Amour
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