There is something about lunch in France that never fails to overcome any small reserves of willpower that I possess. I can sit down, resolved to be moderate, determined to eat and drink lightly, and be there three hours later, nursing my wine and still open to temptation. I don’t think it’s greed. I think it’s the atmosphere generated by a roomful

French oak is more subtle in terms of flavor, somewhat more tannic, and allows for slightly greater—but still gentle—oxidation.

You can easily navigate a wine menu or your local wine shop by looking for key words like biodynamic, organic, or sustainable. You also want to look for wine that is less than 13 percent alcohol. The lower the alcohol, the less sugar that red wine will have. You want to approach chocolate with the same level of detail as you do red wine. Quality ma