The history of cafés and bars in Paris is a long and romantic one. One of the most famous bistros, Maxim's, was founded in 1893 by a former waiter Maxime Gaillard during La Belle Epoque. Maxim's Midnight room is where traditionally patrons can enjoy a glass of wine or champagne. Few on a list of the many famous guests throughout time included King Edward VIII, Marcel Proust and Jean Cocteau.

Ernest Hemingway, who spent the earlier years of his life in Paris, once said "Wine is the most civilized thing in the world." This was early in the 20th century, and Montparnasse was in its heydey with the centre being Carrefour Vavin (now called Place Pablo-Picasso). Starving artists flocked to Montparnasse and frequented places such as La Closerie des Lilas, La Rotonde, Le Select and La Coupole (all of which are still in business today, and serve great red or white wine, and champagne of course). It is said that if the artists fell asleep (after monopolizing tables for hours), the wait staff was told not to wake them. Apparently there were often arguments, at times fueled by intellectual debate – other times these were wine induced. Other times when artists couldn't pay, the owners of the bars and cafes would accept drawings or artwork as a way to secure eventual payment...imagine some of today's most prized artwork behind the counter of a bar!

Another favorite bar at this time was the Dingo bar, where many American and expatriates hung out. This was before Hemingway was published, although F. Scott Fitzgerald was already a known writer and once said "Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right."

There are many recognized wine growing regions in France, including: Alsace, Beaujolais, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, the Loire Valley, and the Rhone Valley.

Loire Valley Known for wines such as Muscadet, Saumur, Coteaux du Layon, Chinon and Sancerre.
Bordeaux Likely the most famous (and important) region, it's known for Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint Emilion, Sauterne and Chateau Margaux.
Côtes du Rhone Well known for the Châteauneuf du Pape and Côtes du Ventoux from this region.
Provence Especially known for it's rose, a popular wine in the summer. Particularly Cotes de Provence and Bandol.
Burgundy (Bourgogne) The region from which Beaujolais comes, as well as Chablis and Romanée Conti.
Champagne The only place in the world from which real champagne comes!
Alsace Known for Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Muscat and Crémant d’Alsace.

Having wine on the dinner (or lunch) table in France is similar in necessity, as is having salt on the table.  While the French generally drink it in moderation, it is enjoyed often. Wine is generally selected based on the food being served, for example with French onion soup one might have Beaujolais or Riesling; with oysters a Muscadet; with duck or roast beef Cotes du Rhone or Burgundy; with fish Chablis or Sancerre. An important phrase to know when enjoying wines in France is A votre santé !Meaning "to your health", it is a common "cheers" people give one another in France. Often among friends people just use the one word "Santé"

Though the Greeks and Romans are said to have grown the first vineyards, around the 5th century the church became the main producer of wines. In an area then known as Gaul, the Romans encouraged the cultivation of wines in regions that are now known as Bordeaux, Burgandy, Alsace, Champagne, Languedoc, Loire Valley and the Rhone. Over the years French wines and their trade continued to develop, and the English and Dutch traders had a significant influence on this market. In 1152 Eléonore of Aquitaine married Henry Plantagenet, the future Henry II of England, marking the beginning of a long and prosperous relationship between Bordeaux and England.

It is said that during the time that the papacy was located in Avignon (early 14th century), one of Pope Urban V objections of returning to Rome was because Burgundy wine was not available south of the Alps.

In the 19th century, several vineyards in France fell victim to phylloxera (an insect that kills roots). Followed by two world wars in the 20th century, the production of wine suffered greatly – and the quality of what was produced declined. Because of this, the A.O.C. (or Appellation d'Origine Controlee which means “regulated origin name”) was formed. The A.O.C. sets the regulations for wines today that both determine the different grape growing regions as well as protects the quality of wine produced.

The French wine industry today is alive and well - as France has approximately 150,000 grape growers and produces close to 1.5 billion gallons of wine per year. The industry is doing so well, in fact, it has even fallen victim to attacks; in 2010 a man held what is thought to be one of the finest, rarest and most expensive wine vineyards (La Romanée-Conti) hostage – by threat of poisoning the roots, unless given one million euros. This might seem strange until one learns that one of the special bottles of Burgundy from La Romanée-Conti can sell for 38,000 euros!