I'm new to this and apologize if I'm in the wrong place. My boyfriend wants to visit French wine country in November, mainly to do wine tours and tasting. I've been to Paris and outlying areas several times, but have never done the wine "thing". He's planning on wearing tuxedo shirts for these tours. Is this appropriate, or is he going to stick out like a sore thumb? Also, does the attire change from day to night? Any other suggestions?

Thank you for any help you can give me.

vlcarter

Yeah, the tux shirt might be a bit much, unless it's with black jeans, a fab leather jacket and black boots. Okay, even then, it's just bad. Would you wear a prom dress?

Go club/casual chic.

Every wine tour I've been on (and I live in France), jeans would be more appropriate. Which particular 'wine country' does he want to visit? The fanciest tour we've done was Mouton Rothschild, and even then no tuxedo shirts, or prom dresses, were in sight. Everyday clothes are fine.

Heading for Burgundy and Piemonte Sunday, leaving tux shirt home.

stu

If he's seriously contemplating wearing a shirt designed to be worn with a dinner jacket <b> during the day </b> you need to think very hard about your future together. I mean: talk about style bypasses.

If he just thinks he's supposed to be wearing a dinner jacket at night, the misapprehension is more pardonable. But why would anyone, ever, think a DJ was required if the organisers didn't specify it?

Your boyfriend in a tux will be mistaken for a waiter. They look like penguins.

Wear a bib for wine tasting.

Buy a tasting cup with a big tri-color ribbon to hang it around his neck. This is a nice souvenir. Actually the places you will find that sell wine from the producer pour it in small tasting glasses.

There are a number of districts that you could call <i>French wine country</i>. Bordeaux is a distance from Paris but Burgundy is closer. The others are not worth mentioning. I love Burgundy.

Do not wear perfume or after shave.
No smoking during wine tastings.

This is about the only strict "dress code" that must be observed. Avoid any strong smell because it affects the senses of everyone around you and really disturbs the tasting.

Unless it is a really really upscale event, a tuxedo will definitely be overdressed.

1) There is no wine production in Normandy (too cold and no AC in place
2) Hence he can only taste in restaurants or wine shops.
3) Shops not a tuxedo thing
4) restaurants well not really as while a Frenchman will dress sensibly for a meal a tux is over the top and faintly silly.

But basic rules are
1) Clean your teeth at least 3 hours before the tasting so you don't just taste mint
2) No perfume
3) Wash (keep the perfumed soap under control)
4) Ensure clothes are clean

If the server tries to stick you with a strange metal shell to taste the wine then be nice but ask for an ISO tastiing glass. The shell things are for the tourists

sorry, must be going mad, read November as Normandy.

Hi VL,

>He's planning on wearing tuxedo shirts for these tours. Is this appropriate,........<

Unless he is going to wear a morning suit with a top hat and gloves and do his wine tour in a hired limo - no.

I think he will make a big impression in a tuxedo shirt.

Some wine tours can be a bit boring, and this will certainly give the other tourists fodder for discussion.

Some wine tours can be a bit boring, and this will certainly give the other tourists fodder for discussion.>>

lol, kerouac - the organisers as well, I should think.

what next - do i need swimsuit to go in the hotel pool? what to wear to do the gardening? what clothes to wear to go shopping? [oops, I'm sure I've read that one].

And wasn't there something about white athletic shoes? Can they be worn in the Louvre?

I can't stop laughing. . . lololololol

Great responses everyone!!!! Just what I thought. And I like the remark about our future together--probably NOT going to happen! Really, all of your remarks have given me many, many good laughs. I like the prom dress idea. I think I'll tell him what color I'm wearing so he can buy a corsage.

I'm going to relay all of these responses to The Man and see what he says (I'm curious as to what his reaction will be). I'll let you all know. Thanks again!!

P.S. I also liked all the other helpful tips (seriously). I've never heard the one about the shell, good to know.

Totally ridiculous and over the top. Forget this guy, he's hopeless! He'll be laughed off the planet.

A rare video of wine tasting etiquette :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r_JnGUexsw

Peter

I wear a tuxedo when I go wine tasting, but only in Europe. In the US, I wear athletic shorts and tank-tops.

You have to understand that Europeans are much more formal and stylish than anyone in the US. This is doubly true for French people.

<i>I wear a tuxedo when I go wine tasting, but only in Europe.</i>

LOL. Presumably you go wine tasting in your Bentley?

I'm not sure that the roof of a Bentley is high enough to give enough clearance to the powdered wig. Better to use a horse drawn carriage.