Les Boissons
Food and drink culture is something to take seriously when in France. Yes, their lunch breaks are longer. Yes, many sit on the outdoor patio, sipping on their coffee and people watch for hours without ordering anything to eat. It's quite normal in their daily routine to have a glass of wine during lunch or rush to their favorite local bar after a hard day's work. Of course like many busy metropolitan cities, you will see locals order food to go. In one hand they're munching on a long crispy baguette, and in the other hand they have their cell phone glued to their ear, all while speed walking to the metro to catch the next train.
Despite the fast pace in Paris, the French still manage to designate time to unwind. My aunt and cousins in France make it a necessity to have sit down dinners with family and friends on a regular basis. And l'heure de l’apéritif or happy hour is no exception. It's a time to release your stress, talk about non-work related things and truly enjoy a nice cold beverage. Below are five "boissons" to try when in Paris. Expand your drinking palate. Take notice of the different flavors. Don't just chug that drink. Slow down and relax. After all, you are in one of the most beautiful, unique cities in the world. Appreciate the surrounding, the atmosphere.
Few people will venture to the City of Lights or even have the opportunity to return its charm. But you can always have a glass of champagne that will instantly transport you back to that amazing bistro. And because of the power of food and drink, we'll always have Paris.
Champagne
You can not leave France without trying a glass of champagne. In order to be called champagne, the grape/wine must originate from the champagne province located northeast of France. Because of the region's high altitude and cooler temperature, it creates a tough environment for grapes to ripen. All the struggle results in amazing grapes with high acidity. It's crisp. It's clean. And depending on the brand, you will taste different notes of fruit and possibly hints of yeast and nuts.
Biere - Beer
Although beer culture is not embraced as much as wine or in comparison to France's European counterparts, the rise of local and craft beers is becoming apparent in select bars. It's quite common to see locals drinking Stella Artois, Heineken or less well known but bolder brands from their neighbors in Belgium and Germany. There is actually a decent amount of breweries in Paris like La Parisienne and BAPBAP to name a few.
Vin Rouge - Red Wine
French wine can be dated back to the 6th century BC. Today France produces 7-8 billion bottles a year, making it the top producer of wine in the world. All the major wine grapes are of French origin: cabernet franc, pinot noir and merlot. The red color comes from the skin of the grapes. Red wine is known for it's antioxidant properties because of the extensive time the skin soaks in the juices. Try the various wines from the regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone Valley etc.
Vin Blanc - White Wine
White wine has little to no skin contact, meaning the skin is quickly removed during production. France specializes in amazing whites, particularly chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. Opposed to red wine which is typically served at room temperature, white wine can also be consumed chilled which is quite desirable in the summer.
Absinthe
Absinthe is an anise flavored spirit extracted from flowers and leaves of grand wormwood. It was banned in the early 1900's because of it's supposed addictive and hallucinogenic properties. To serve absinthe, you need to slowly dilute the spirit. A slotted spoon is placed on the glass. A special dispenser slowly drips water on a sugar cube, through the spoon and into the glass.
Vin Chaud - Mulled Wine
If you are lucky enough to visit Paris during the Christmas season, you will find every bar, restaurant and stand serving "the best vin chaud." Each recipe is unique but typically includes red wine, liquor like brandy, fruit and spices such as cinnamon and clove. A must to try that will instantly warm you up.
