France in a Glass

The essentials of French wine for curious travellers and language lovers

France in a Glass is a cultural and linguistic journey into the heart of France through wine, family heritage, travel, and sensory discovery.

Many wine lovers and would-be French travellers feel intimidated by wine terminology, tasting etiquette, and food pairings, especially when navigating a French wine list or restaurant. This course removes those barriers, giving students practical, immediately usable skills: choosing and tasting wine, pairing it with food, and ordering confidently in French, at home or while travelling.

Designed for wine lovers, Francophone culture enthusiasts, travellers, and curious learners, it offers an accessible introduction to wine, without technical jargon. Through a blend of wine education, French language learning, and personal family history, students will discover wine as a living part of French life and identity.

Students explore the foundations of wine: how it’s made, why different wines call for different bottles and glasses, how to taste with confidence, and how to pair wine with food. Along the way, they pick up common French wine vocabulary and expressions, clearly translated and explained, so they can navigate wine lists, tastings, and vineyard conversations while travelling.

More than a technical course, this experience is meant to be savoured slowly, like a good bottle shared among friends. Whether you’re planning a trip to France, hoping to order wine with ease at a French restaurant, or simply deepening your appreciation of wine and French culture, France in a Glass gives you the knowledge and confidence to do it.

What you will learn

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Understand the basic wine-making process from grape to bottle
• Identify key differences between major wine styles and regions
• Understand why different wines use different glasses and bottles
• Taste wine using simple professional techniques
• Pair wine confidently with food
• Recognize and understand common French wine vocabulary and expressions
• Navigate French wine menus and labels with greater confidence
• Communicate more comfortably about wine while travelling in France
• Appreciate the cultural and historical significance of French wine traditions
• Understand how wine is woven into everyday French life and family culture
• Feel more comfortable ordering, discussing, and selecting wine socially, professionally, or while travelling

Students can apply these skills in daily life, restaurants, social gatherings, wine tastings, travel experiences, French cultural settings, and personal entertaining.

Who is this for?

This course is designed for:

• Beginner and casual wine enthusiasts
• Francophiles and lovers of French culture
• Travellers preparing for a trip to France
• Individuals who want to feel more comfortable ordering and discussing wine in French-speaking settings
• Food lovers interested in wine and food pairing
• Learners interested in French language through culture
• Individuals curious about European traditions and family heritage
• Anyone seeking a relaxed, accessible introduction to wine

The course will especially benefit students who want to enjoy wine with greater confidence while developing cultural understanding and practical French wine vocabulary for travel and everyday use.

Meet your instructor

Magali Blanc is a Lecturer of French in UBC’s Department of French, Hispanic & Italian Studies. After leaving France in 2010 to pursue her studies abroad, she earned her PhD in French Literature at the University of British Columbia, where she continues to teach.

Coming from a wine-producing family on her mother’s side, Magali grew up surrounded by the traditions, stories, and rituals that make wine such an important part of French culture and family life. It is with great pleasure that she has tailored this course around both knowledge and storytelling, creating a relaxed and welcoming learning experience that feels like an invitation into her hometown village and family table.

The course launches in Fall 2026. Be the first to know when this course opens for enrollment.