I don't know if the wine we had was considered decent, because we just ordered "generic" glasses of chardonnay or whatever right off the menu, but it seemed to range between 4 to 5E (in cafes in the 6th that we tried).

<i>We almost always drink merlot here at home...with everything. What kind of wine should we order in France? Is there anything comparable to California merlots? We've also been known to drink shiraz and red zins, too.</i>

Wine in France is identified by region of production and not by grape variety. Many wines are a mixture of different grapes.

However, the cheaper wines in supermarkets now mark the grape variety on the bottle, since this is the same stuff that is sent out for export to a lot of countries -- you'll see 'merlot' etc. on those bottles but never on the finer wines.

Oops, meant to indicate that was an answer to Doriana's question.

I used to always buy inexpensive red table wines at Monoprix and bring home, back when you could bring liquids on the plane, and they were OK. I was just wondering what to order in a restaurant...maybe a bordeaux would be similar to a merlot. Cote du Rones are usually a bit too light and fruity for our tastes. Any other regional wines to look for?

Another cafe question - how do you tell a cafe from a restaurant and what is the difference?

I got great info from this thread - thanks.

Well basically one looks fancier than the other ;-)

Seriously, most places have a menu posted on the sidewalk. Paris is no different than your own home town... you could tell a corner pub from Tres Chic Chic, right? By the prices on the menu, by the look of the place when you peak in the window, by the way the customers are dressed if the place is open, by tableclothes or not, by the types of food offered, etc.

Hi TxTish

&gt;We almost always drink merlot here at home...with everything.

It is time to expand your horizons, especially if you order any sort of shellfish - (dry white wine only).

&gt;What kind of wine should we order in France?

The French don't go by varietal. They classify their wines by their origin - <i>terroir</i>

Reds from Bourdeaux are mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Merlot.

Reds from Burgundy are mainly Pinot Noir.

<i>Vin de maison - rouge/blanc/rose</i> could be from a number of places, varietals.

Your waiter will be pleased to help you choose the proper wine, within your budget, to complement your meal.

Do make sure to look at the wine carte prices to avoid sticker shock.

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

Oh, that's a good question too janewb. I guess it's just a matter of observation, asking questions, and not being afraid to make mistakes.

Hopefully I can get my act together when I get back and post my own take on the dining scene for other newbies!

&quot;Dry white wine only with shellfish?&quot;

Ira: Rules like that went out the window long ago.

A cafe is open all day. A restaurant typically is open for lunch, closes to set up again, then is open for dinner, usually after 7pm.

one more thought: if you only want to have a drink, don't sit at a table with a tablecloth and/or place settings. Watch for 'r&eacute;serv&eacute;' cards on a table - you can't sit there.

Drinks usually cost the least if ordered at the counter and consumed there; the next price tier if sitting down inside; the highest tier if at the sidewalk tables. You may not order at the counter then take your drink to a sidewalk table.

Alsace will be great as this is the one main AC area where wines are sold by the variety IF LOCAL. So you will find Pinot Gris and Blanc plus Riesling as the place to start. Local reds only try for fun unless paying good money &quot;Pinot Rouge&quot;. You will also find other french wines and of course Vin de table means European or African wine from a big box outside.

In Alsace they speak French, there is a local Patois but this only means that listening to the locals chat to each other is not French. Local dishes are suarkraut, pigs knuckles and a large bread thing with pig in it. Enjoy

Don't overlook the brasseries! If you stop in Colmar(Alsace)try the beautiful Excelsior.

Actually, for the past several years, there has rarely been a price difference in caf&eacute;s for sitting down inside or outside -- and now that anybody who wants to smoke has to go outside, I don't think that smokers would stand for it if they also had to pay extra.