French Wine and Culture

---

Curriculum Information

Subject: Modern Foreign Languages (French)
Level: Key Stage 5 (A-Level)
Exam Board: AQA / Edexcel / OCR / WJEC (Adaptable)
Time: 30 minutes
Class Size: 1 student

Curriculum Focus:

• AQA A-Level French: Aspects of French-speaking society – Current trends (heritage, customs & traditions)
• Edexcel A-Level French: Aspects of French-speaking society – Cultural heritage
• OCR A-Level French: Society and culture in the French-speaking world
• WJEC A-Level French: Understanding traditions and heritage in French-speaking countries

---

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, the student will be able to:

1. Understand and explain the role of wine in French culture, economy, and identity.
2. Describe key French wine regions and their characteristics.
3. Analyse why wine is an essential part of French gastronomy and tourism.
4. Use relevant French vocabulary and expressions in discussion.
5. Express a personal viewpoint on the role of wine in France using sophisticated sentence structures.

---

Lesson Structure

Introduction (5 minutes)

• Teacher asks: “Qu’est-ce qui vous vient à l’esprit quand vous entendez le mot ‘vin’ en lien avec la France?” (What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘wine’ in relation to France?)
• Discuss student’s prior knowledge and associations.
• Explain that wine is more than a beverage—it is part of French heritage, economy, and identity.
• Present today’s learning objectives.

---

Main Activity 1: Les Régions Viticoles (10 minutes)

• Show a French wine map with key regions (Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Champagne, etc.).
• Conversation in French: Ask the student to describe each region based on visual clues.
• Task: Provide the student with a short description of various wines and ask them to match the descriptions to the correct regions.
• Key vocabulary: terroir, cépages, vignoble, appellation, dégustation, vin rouge, vin blanc, pétillant.

---

Main Activity 2: Le Vin dans la Gastronomie Française (10 minutes)

• Introduce wine and food pairings with examples (Bordeaux & steak, Sancerre & goat’s cheese).
• Student task: Act as a sommelier and recommend a wine pairing for a given dish, justifying their choice in French ("À mon avis, un vin rouge du Rhône serait idéal avec ce plat parce que...").
• Stretch challenge: Discuss how cultural habits (e.g., drinking wine with meals) compare between France and the UK.
• Scaffolded support if needed: Provide sentence starters and key phrases.

---

Plenary: Le Vin et le Patrimoine (5 minutes)

• Quick-fire debate: “Le vin est essentiel à l’identité française – êtes-vous d’accord?” (Wine is essential to French identity – do you agree?)
• The student should support their opinion using at least three arguments from the lesson.
• Reflective question: “Qu’avez-vous appris aujourd’hui qui vous a surpris?”

---

Assessment & Differentiation

• Low challenge: Sentence scaffolding provided for responses if needed.
• Medium challenge: The student makes connections between wine, gastronomy, and economy.
• High challenge: The student evaluates the role of wine in modern French society, considering health, economy, and tourism.

---

Homework / Extension Idea

• Task: Research a specific French vineyard (e.g., Château Margaux, Dom Pérignon) and create a short spoken presentation in French summarising its history, wine styles, and significance.
• Alternative: Write a 150-word opinion piece in French: Le vin en France est-il avant tout une industrie ou une tradition?

---

Teacher Reflection

• How confidently did the student use key terminology?
• Did they express opinions clearly and accurately in French?
• What would be the next logical step in their learning (e.g., deeper analysis of French gastronomy, cultural traditions related to food and drink)?

---

Final Thought

This lesson blends language acquisition with cultural awareness, encouraging students to engage with authentic French traditions. The conversational approach ensures real-world applicability, preparing students for discussions in oral exams or real-life situations.

🍷 Santé et bonne discussion en français ! 🍷