Look at the wine list on the menu. If it is not present, ask the waiter for "Le carte du vin, s'il vous plaît" (the wine menu, please) and he will either bring or list the choices for you. The wines on the menu will be divided into rouge (red) and blanc (white). You will notice familiar names such as chardonnay, merlot, cabernet sauvignon or bordeaux. Choose the wine that you prefer, or experiment and try something new. If you are totally confused, ask the waiter, "Que proposez-vous?" (What do you suggest?)
Pronounce "Je voudrais un chardonnay, s'il vous plaît" (I would like a chardonnay, please) to the waiter, or simply state, "Un chardonnay, s'il vous plaît." If there are multiple wines on the menu under the same type and you are not ready to pronounce the brand of the wine, help the waiter by pointing to the selection while saying, "Le chardonnay ici." (the chardonnay here)
If you prefer to order a bottle or half bottle of wine rather than a grass, replace the "un" which signifies glass with either "une bouteille de" (a bottle of) or "une caraffe de" (a carafe of).
Order a second glass or bottle by informing the waiter, "Je voudrais un autre, s'il vous plaît" (I would like another, please), or simply, "un autre, s'il vous plaît." If you want another glass but of a different kind, ask for the menu again or simply state what you have in mind such as "Vin rouge cette fois, s'il vous plaît." (Red wine this time, please)
Order the Beaujolais Nouveau to make the selection easier if you are uncomforable or intimidated by the list, the waiter and your French skill. The majority of restaurants and bars in Paris will have Beaujolais Nouveau and there is usually only one kind of it, so you will not have to specify which brand or year you want. Beaujolais Nouveau is released once a year and is generally consumed only in its year of release since it is best when it is young. Beaujolais is one of the most voluminously produced wines in France so you are likely to find it at most Parisian bars.
