#186 Asking Which Dish Pairs Well with Wine｜French Dining Phrases

Enjoying the combination of wine and food is one of the greatest pleasures of dining at a restaurant. In France in particular, the pairing of food and wine is considered very important.

If you are not familiar with the menu or if you would like to know the local recommendations, I suggest that you ask the staff which dishes pair well with the wine after you have chosen it.

In this section, I will explain useful French expressions that you can use when asking which dishes pair well with wine at a restaurant, using a conversation example as a reference.

Dialogue

A

Excusez-moi, j’ai choisi ce vin rouge. Pourriez-vous me dire quel plat se marie bien avec ?
（Excuse me, I have chosen this red wine. Could you tell me which dish pairs well with it?）

B

Ce vin accompagne très bien les viandes rouges ou les plats en sauce.
（This wine goes very well with red meat or dishes with sauce.）

A

Est-ce qu’il irait aussi avec le canard ?
（Would it also go well with duck?）

B

Oui, absolument. Surtout s’il est servi avec une sauce légèrement sucrée.
（Yes, absolutely. Especially if it is served with a slightly sweet sauce.）

A

Dans ce cas, je vais prendre le canard. Merci pour votre conseil.
（In that case, I will have the duck. Thank you for your advice.）

1. Asking Which Dish Pairs Well with the Wine You Chose

When you ask about wine and food pairing, I recommend first telling the staff which wine you have chosen.

This makes it easier for them to give you an accurate suggestion.

The expression “J’ai choisi” is in the passé composé form (avoir + past participle choisi), and it implies that you have already made your selection.

With this information, the staff can suggest dishes based on factors such as strength of flavor, tannin level, or acidity.

The expression “se marier avec” means “to pair well with,” and it carries the nuance of flavors and aromas harmonizing with each other.

In everyday conversation, you may also hear “aller avec” (to go with). However, when discussing wine and food pairing, “se marier avec” sounds more refined and gastronomic.

2. Understanding the Explanation from the Staff

When staff members or sommeliers explain pairings, they often focus on the type of dish (meat, fish, sauce, cheese) and flavor characteristics (light, rich, acidic, aromatic).

The verb “accompagner” means “to accompany” or “to be enjoyed together with,” and is frequently used when explaining food and wine pairing.

It is also helpful for you to recognize common food categories used in restaurant explanations:

3. Confirming Pairing with a Specific Dish

After receiving a general recommendation, you can ask about a specific dish.

The structure “Est-ce qu’il irait avec + dish?” allows you to ask politely whether something would pair well.

“irait” is the conditional form of “aller.” Using the conditional makes your question sound softer and more natural in conversation.

4. Understanding Additional Details About the Dish

Sometimes staff may explain that the pairing works especially well depending on the cooking method or seasoning.

In this sentence, “il” refers to the dish previously mentioned (for example, le canard).

This structure is also a passive construction using “être + past participle.”

In restaurant explanations, the focus is often on how the dish is served rather than who serves it. That is why passive expressions such as “est servi + condition/state” are commonly used.

Summary