Our Story
Drinking French
An independent guide to the wines, spirits, and culture of France — written by people who love it deeply.
OUR MISSION
Why We Do This
Drinking French began as a simple idea: that the world of French wine and spirits deserved a guide that was rigorous without being intimidating, authoritative without being snobbish, and genuinely useful to anyone who wanted to drink better.
We are not a ratings agency. We do not score wines out of 100. We believe that the best way to understand a bottle is to understand the place it came from, the person who made it, and the meal it was meant to accompany.
Our contributors are writers, sommeliers, chefs, and travellers who spend their lives in the vineyards, cellars, and bistros of France. Everything we publish is based on first-hand experience.
Independence
We accept no advertising from producers or merchants. Our recommendations are based solely on quality and value.
Rigour
Every tasting note, every producer profile, every buying recommendation is based on first-hand experience in the field.
Accessibility
We believe great wine should be for everyone. We write for curious beginners and seasoned collectors alike.
THE TEAM
Our Editors & Contributors
Editor in Chief
Sophie Martin
Sophie has spent fifteen years writing about French wine for publications including Decanter, The World of Fine Wine, and Le Figaro. She divides her time between Paris and Beaune, and has a particular passion for the wines of Burgundy and the Loire.
Speciality: Burgundy, Loire, Natural Wine
Wine Editor
Jean-Luc Bernard
A former sommelier at three-Michelin-star restaurants in Paris and London, Jean-Luc brings a rigorous palate and deep technical knowledge to his writing. He is the author of two books on Bordeaux and contributes regularly to Revue du Vin de France.
Speciality: Bordeaux, Rhône, Spirits
Spirits & Cocktails Editor
Claire Dubois
Claire is a drinks writer and bartender who has worked in Paris, New York, and Tokyo. She is the leading English-language authority on Cognac and Armagnac, and her writing on French cocktail culture has appeared in Punch, Imbibe, and The Spirits Business.
Speciality: Cognac, Armagnac, Cocktails
CONTACT
Get in Touch
We welcome pitches from writers, tips from producers, and questions from readers.