Navigating French Wine in Paris

Wine in France is categorized by region, not by grape. You will not find 'Chardonnay' or 'Pinot Noir' on a traditional menu; you will find 'Chablis' (which is Chardonnay) or 'Bourgogne' (which is Pinot Noir).

Ordering by the Pichet

If you want a cheap, casual table wine, ask for a pichet (pitcher). They come in 25cl or 50cl sizes. It is usually the house wine (vin de la maison) and perfectly acceptable for a casual lunch.

Natural Wine

Paris is currently obsessed with vin nature (natural wine). Found predominantly in the 10th and 11th arrondissements, these wines have zero added sulfites and are often cloudy, funky, and unpredictable.