#125 Checking the Warranty for Electronic Appliances｜French Shopping Phrases
Izumi Curious French
#187 Tasting Wine｜French Dining Phrases
Izumi
When you visit a winery or a restaurant, you may have the opportunity to participate in a wine tasting.
If you take part in a tasting, it is helpful to know French expressions for describing the type of wine you prefer and for sharing your impressions of the taste.
In this section, I will explain useful French expressions you can use during a wine tasting, together with key grammatical points.
Contents
Dialogue
C’est ma première dégustation de vin. Pourriez-vous me conseiller quelque chose ?
（This is my first wine tasting. Could you recommend something for me?）
Bien sûr. Préférez-vous un vin rouge, blanc ou rosé ?
（Of course. Do you prefer red, white, or rosé wine?）
Je préfère quelque chose de plutôt léger et fruité.
（I prefer something rather light and fruity.）
Dans ce cas, je vous propose ce vin blanc. Il est très aromatique et facile à boire.
（In that case, I recommend this white wine. It is very aromatic and easy to drink.）
Merci. Est-ce qu’il vient de cette région ?
（Thank you. Does it come from this region?）
Oui, il est produit localement.
（Yes, it is produced locally.）
Ah, d’accord ! Alors, je vais goûter.
（I see. Then I will taste it.）
1. Saying That You Are New to Wine Tasting
Staff members often adjust their explanations depending on whether you are experienced with wine or a beginner.
For this reason, I recommend telling them at the beginning if this is your first tasting. This often encourages them to explain things more clearly, such as drinkability, aroma characteristics, and recommended tasting order.
Example
- C’est ma première dégustation de vin.
（This is my first wine tasting.）
The structure “C’est …” is used to describe a situation or identify something. Here, “ma première + noun” expresses “my first experience of something.”
“ma” is a feminine possessive adjective because “dégustation” is a feminine noun.
“première” is the feminine form of the adjective “premier” (first), and it agrees with “dégustation.”
2. Explaining Your Wine Preferences
During a wine tasting, you should try to explain your preferences clearly and simply. Based on this information, the staff can narrow down suitable wine options for you.
Example
- Je préfère quelque chose de plutôt léger et fruité.
（I prefer something rather light and fruity.）
The expression “quelque chose” (something) allows you to describe your preferences even if you do not know specific wine names.
Related Expressions
- quelque chose de léger
（something light） - quelque chose d’aromatique
（something aromatic） - quelque chose de plus fruité
（something more fruity）
When an adjective follows “quelque chose,” you must insert “de”:
Points
- ✔ quelque chose de léger
- ✘ quelque chose léger
Here, “de” turns the adjective into a noun phrase meaning “something that is …”
You only need to use “de” once, even when listing multiple adjectives:
Related Expressions
- quelque chose de doux et parfumé
（something sweet and fragrant） - quelque chose de simple et élégant
（something simple and elegant）
3. Asking About the Origin of the Wine
Wine is closely connected to regional culture and climate. If you ask about the origin, you can often enjoy the tasting experience more deeply.
Example
- Est-ce qu’il vient de cette région ?
（Does it come from this region?）
The structure “venir de + place” is often used to indicate origin. For example: “Je viens de Tokyo.”（I am from Tokyo.） This structure is also used for products such as wine.
Example
- Oui, il est produit localement.
（Yes, it is produced locally.）
This sentence uses the passive voice (être + past participle). “produit” is the past participle of “produire” (to produce). “est produit” means “is produced.”
In French passive constructions, the past participle agrees with the subject:
Points
- Masculine singular → produit
- Feminine singular → produite
- Masculine plural → produits
- Feminine plural → produites
Here, “il ” refers to “vin” (masculine singular), so “produit” is used.
Summary
Key French Phrases
- C’est ma première dégustation ici.
→ A natural way to tell someone it is your first tasting. - Je préfère quelque chose de léger / fruité.
→ Used to describe your taste preferences. - Est-ce qu’il vient de cette région ?
→ Used to ask about the wine’s origin.
