France in a Glass

Learn 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, this course offers an accessible introduction to wine. Through a blend of wine education, French language learning and the instructor’s personal family history, students will discover wine as a living part of French life and identity.

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, learn common French wine vocabulary and expressions so you 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 to host your friends and family at home, France in a Glass gives you the knowledge and confidence to do it.

This course is offered in English and requires no prior knowledge of French.

By the end of the course, you 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.

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.

How am I assessed? 

Students can access a confirmation of attendance upon completion of the course and its quizzes.

Expected effort

This course includes 14 to 16 hours of class work over six weeks.

Textbook

None. All content is included in the course.

Technology requirements

To take this course, and for the best experience, we recommend you have access to:

• an email account
• a computer or laptop using Windows or macOS or a tablet
• the latest version of a web browser (or previous major version release)
• a reliable internet connection

 One day before the start of your course, we’ll email you step-by-step instructions for accessing your course.

Course format

This course is 100% online and self-paced. Log in anytime to access the lessons, which include pre-recorded videos and transcripts, structured learning modules, guided wine tasting exercises, food and wine pairing activities, cultural storytelling and family heritage insights, simple quizzes and reflection prompts. You have six weeks to complete the course.