Almost everywhere in Europe, and particularly in France, wine is enjoyed at all hours of the day and with nearly every meal. Instead of viewing wine as a luxurious or calorie-rich indulgence that is saved for special occasions, French women simply consider it a healthy part of their everyday lives and a necessity for making any meal beautiful and enjoyable.

And really, who can blame them? France is home to the magnificent wine regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne and produces renowned grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. Wine seems to seep from the pours of the French and has deliciously saturated French culture and identity for centuries.
Whether you’re spending a quiet evening in with your beau or hosting a grand soirée with friends, uncork some French flavour at your next meal. Use your most chic dishware, stylishly set the table with fragrant fresh flowers and serve up the sounds of Edith Piaf and Maurice Chevalier alongside a rich, fruity vin rouge, like La Vieille Ferme from the Côtes du Ventoux or a dry, wonderfully nutty Mâcon-Villages Chardonnay.

Or you can skip the fête altogether and slip into a hot lavender-scented bath or sit at your vanity with a crystal glass of Carte Noire’s smooth, full-bodied Cellier des Dauphins from the Côtes du Rhône. The old-word look and feel of the bottle will make you believe that you’re Marie Antoinette flouncing around in her Versailles boudoir….or at least a few glasses and a full party skirt might.