Drinking culture
Arriving for a cup of coffee at a café is not just about the coffee. It’s about the entire process: walking to the café, entering, drinking, reading a newspaper or chatting, and eventually leaving. It’s much more than grabbing a coffee on the go while running errands.
In smaller villages, mornings often revolve around the so-called “3 C’s”—coffee, croissant, and cigarette—accompanied, of course, by some morning conversation.
The terrace of a cafe or restaurant is everything—it’s the lifeblood of the French café tradition. Even in freezing weather, brave souls wrapped in scarves and coats sit there as if it were the height of summer. There’s nothing like sitting there overlooking the street, watching people’s lives appear and disappear before your eyes.
Clinking glasses is part of the tradition.
When clinking glasses, always look each other in the eyes. Failing to do so is said to bring bad sex, bad luck, or perhaps both!
When ordering wine, you say un verre de vin. When ordering champagne, you say une coupe de champagne.
Drinking wine is not considered “drinking” in France, as a visit to my doctor once made abundantly clear. When asked if I consumed alcohol daily, I sheepishly admitted the truth—that a glass of wine is my daily companion. She looked at me and clarified, “No, no, I meant, do you drink? Comme cognac, armagnac, whisky, etc.”
Clearly, this does not mean one can down bottles of wine every day. Like food, wine is enjoyed in moderation. It is often consumed as part of an apéritif. The same goes for beer.
What you drink in France is closely tied to where you are. The country boasts a wide variety of regional beverages, from ciders to wines, Armagnacs, pastis, liqueurs, and much more.
Wine is not just “wine.” Even when served in those small, somewhat annoying glasses filled to the brim, it is rarely gulped down without thought. Instead, it is smelled, tasted, and savoured sip by sip.
Wine knowledge is passed down through generations, starting at an early age. On special occasions, children are often given wine diluted with water to introduce them to the tradition.
Although some people may not care for wine, the majority of French people treat it with respect. They may not all be sommeliers, but they take it seriously enough.
Champagne is champagne, not crémant or prosecco, for goodness’ sake!
Champagne consumption has increased, especially among younger generations who appreciate small-grower champagnes. However, it remains a symbol of royalty and aristocracy. Sadly, the latter often drink champagne from big-name producers rather than smaller, artisanal ones.
While wine is one of the most consumed alcoholic beverages in France, beer also has its place—particularly during apéritif time. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see more beer glasses than wine on café tables at this hour.