Drink This With That ~ French Bistro fare

Welcome to Drink This with That—featuring what to drink with specific foods and international cuisines. Each month we highlight a particular food or dish with pairing options and a link to the Wine Road searchable database to find the wines we recommend from the tried and true, to selections that add a bit of a twist to the standard pairing.

This month we explore French Bistro fare, characterized by hearty, flavorful dishes (many made with wine) that offer a wealth of wine pairing options. Cozy and comforting French Bistro dishes are perfect for fall weather.

Search for recommended wines here: www.wineroad.com/wineries.

French Bistro Cuisine & Wine Pairing Recommendations

Coq au Vin

I first learned of Coq au Vin watching Julia Child on her PBS show when I was a kid. It sounded so exotic and mysterious. But it’s basically a stew of braised chicken and vegetables in red wine, coq au vin means “rooster in wine”. The deep complex flavors elevate it way beyond basic. It’s French comfort food at its finest.

+ Chenin Blanc

+ Gewürztraminer

+ Pinot Noir

+ Grenache

Boeuf Bourguignon

Another classic French stew like Coq au vin, but with beef braised in red wine along with carrots, mushrooms, and pearl onions. The depth of flavor comes from the slow cooking that joins all the ingredients together in the most savory and delicious way.

+ Syrah

+ Pinot Noir

+ Bordeaux Blends

+ Cab Franc

Salad Niçoise

I often make this when I want a salad that feels luxurious. Hearty and flavorful, it’s made with tuna, hard boiled eggs, tomato, niçoise olives, small red boiled potatoes, and blanched green beans aka haricots verts with a Dijon vinaigrette. I like to add capers and anchovies as well for an extra salty briny kick.

+ Sauvignon Blanc

+ Chardonnay

+ Gewürztraminer

+ Gruner Veltliner

Duck Confit

Duck Confit is slow cooked in a generous amount of duck fat then crisped to perfection, which is what makes this dish a great pairing for bold reds. Deep and rich and satisfying; seasoned with fresh herbs including thyme, sage, rosemary, oregano and bay leaves. A dollop of cherry jam, compote or preserves adds a bright note to the rich savory duck.

+ Riesling

+ Syrah

+ Pinot Noir

+ Merlot

+ Malbec

Croque Monsieur

This French version of a grilled ham and cheese sandwich is elevated to the extreme with a creamy béchamel sauce poured over the top. Rich, gooey and slightly decadent; the Croque Monsieur is a like a warm blanket on chilly night – soothing and oh so necessary! Pair with a light red like Pinot Noir, or a rich oaky Chardonnay for full immersion into the realm of French comfort food.

+ Chardonnay

+ Pinot Noir

+ Sauvignon Blanc

+ Sparkling wine

French Onion Soup

Is there any soup more enduring than the classic French Onion Soup? Probably not. Caramelized onions, wine and cheese are the base. Slow cooking is the key. Cheesy, savory and topped with croutons or a thick slab of crusty bread, it ticks all the boxes for a soul warming dish.

+ Pinot Noir

+ Chardonnay

+ Sangiovese

+ Riesling

+ Sparkling wine

Posted by Marcy Gordon

Marcy Gordon is a freelance wine and travel writer. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications including Wine Enthusiast, San Francisco Chronicle, Sonoma Magazine, The California Travel Guide, and Forbes Travel Guide. In 2017 she was awarded a fellowship to the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers. She is the co-host of the award winning Wine Road Podcast.

All Posts