How to order wine in Paris? I would like to be able to order wine which is good but not necessarily v. expensi!
How to order wine in Paris? I would like to be able to order wine which is good but not necessarily v. expensi
I fear looking like an uneducated tourist! I am well versed in Australian wine but have little knowledge of the labelling system in France. So am unsure what to look for.
Answers:
First idea.
Buy a copy of the current Hugh Johnsons Pocket WIne Book. It is a mini encyclopaedia which you can use to check the rating of wines on the wine list in the restaurant.
Second
Labelling system in France is primarily by region, thus you'll see on a wine list categories such as Bordeaux, Burgundy etc. Be aware that red Burgundy is Pinot Noir and Bordeaux is Cab/Merlot blends, and respective whites are Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc.
Sauternes is a sweet wine, and Red Rhones are Syrah (Shiraz) based
Of these, good value is most often found with Rhone wines (e.g. Cotes du Rhone)
Third
Just ask for the house wine (Vin du Maison)
Four
If your French is up to it, or the restaurants English is good enough you could have a nice chat with the sommellier, but you are only going to find sommelliers in the most expensive restaurants. In most restaurants the food waiter wil take your order and he won't be in a mood to have a long chat about an inexpensive wine.
Five
You could do a lot worse than to just find a wine in your price range and point to that on the wine list. If you like it, remember the name so you can order again, if you're not so keen, remember the name so can avoid it. In this way you'll have some excitement , quickly learn about French wine and taste wines you might not otherwise have the chance to.
Note -- outside Paris most restaurants will have little other choices than the wine of that region.
Have fun. Wine is just a drink, there's nothing to get wrong.