Bastille Day: French Wine & Spirits To Celebrate

Every 14 July, France throws itself a party, habibi, and let's be honest, nobody does joie de vivre quite like the French. Bastille Day marks the moment back in 1789 when the French decided they'd had quite enough, thank you, and stormed the Bastille to kick off the Revolution. These days, mercifully, it's less about storming fortresses and more about fireworks, three-hour lunches, and raising a glass to everything wonderful about France. Liberté, égalité, and a seriously well-stocked table.

And here's the best bit: you don't need a plane ticket to Paris to join in. A proper French celebration comes down to one glorious principle: gather the people you love around good food and good French wine, and refuse to rush a single minute of it. So pour yourself something, habibi, and let me walk you through a proper French Bastille Day at home, from the first cheeky apéritif to the very last sip of cognac.

Nothing says "we are officially in holiday mode" like a glass of pastis. Ricard Pastis de Marseille is the icon, one of the most beloved French spirits there is, an anise-and-liquorice spirit that is basically the unofficial anthem of the South of France in liquid form. But listen carefully, habibi, because this matters: you do not drink it neat. Pour a measure, top it with around five parts cold water, and watch it turn cloudy right before your eyes, a little bit of Provençal magic in a glass. Add ice, find some shade, and suddenly you're not in your kitchen. You're on a terrace in Marseille pretending you have nowhere to be.

If pastis isn't your thing, reach for Lillet Blanc instead, a gorgeous aromatic French apéritif of wine and citrusy botanicals. Serve it well chilled over ice with a slice of orange, and you've got elegance in a glass with barely any effort. Très chic.

Whether you go pastis or Lillet, this is exactly how a 14th July French holiday should begin: unhurried, sun on your face, and in excellent taste.

Elegant, fresh and celebratory, it's the bottle you open when you want to toast properly, to liberty, to friends, or simply to the fact that it's a beautiful day and you've earned it. Fireworks optional, but encouraged.

For a real standout, Château des Sarrins Rosé Grande Cuvée is a gorgeous Provence rosé. Delicate and refined, it’s exactly what you picture when you imagine swirling pink wine somewhere impossibly chic. For the everyday hero that won't dent the wallet, Sabourin Grande Réserve Rosé is fresh, easy, and made for pouring by the jugful when the garden's full of friends. Rosé isn't just a drink, habibi. It's a lifestyle, and the French have been living it for decades.

For something a touch rounder and more easy-going, M. Chapoutier Côtes du Rhône Blanc 'Belleruche' is a lovely aromatic Rhône white with a bit more body, brilliant with roast chicken, anything creamy, or frankly just on its own while you "supervise" the cooking.

For another beautiful Bordeaux, Baron Philippe de Rothschild Bordeaux Rouge brings an elegant, structured red with real pedigree behind the name, smooth, refined, and a joy alongside red meat or a good hard cheese. Between the two, habibi, your table is very well dressed indeed.

This French spirit is made to be sipped slowly from a good glass, while you put the world to rights. Pour a measure, sink into the nearest comfortable chair, and toast to a day thoroughly well spent. The French have turned "not rushing" into an art form, and honestly? We could all learn a thing or two.

So there you have it, habibi: a full French celebration, from the first cloudy glass of pastis to the last golden drop of cognac, with Champagne, French rosé, and some very good wine in between. No passport required, just good company, good food, and a table groaning under France's finest.

Find all of these French wines and spirits at MMI, in-store or via the MMI Cheers Club App, delivered chilled to your door in two hours.

Joyeux 14 Juillet, habibi. Vive la France, and as always, sip responsibly.