Celebrated across the whole of France, passions run high on Bastille Day, which marks the beginning of the French Revolution and storming of the Bastille in Paris on July 14, 1789.

A public holiday, spectacular fireworks, parades, music, dances and of course, fine food and wine, are all part of the celebrations and a great excuse for Francophiles to uncork a bottle, declare it 'delicieux' and share in the national pride and pleasure.

To enrich the experience, here are some classics from some of her famous wine regions that have a ring to them - and could even inspire a rendition of the national anthem, La Marseillaise...

With its rich heritage of fine sparkling wines, Saumur in the beautiful Loire Valley produces brilliant Brut bubbles made predominantly from Chenin Blanc in the traditional method. Try The Society's Saumur Brut NV, France (£9.50, www.thewinesociety.com) which is a flirty fizz with inviting apple aromas, a honeyed, fruity freshness and crisp, dry finish. Unbeatable value.

Encouraging news for winemakers (and consumers) who draw inspiration from prestigious wine competitions, France retained the top spot as the best country in the world for award-winning wines in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2015, and received the most International Trophies.

Top drops included International Trophy for Best Chardonnay Under £15 for Marks & Spencer's Macon Villages 2014, Burgundy, France (£10, Marks & Spencer stores only). From the region's best villages and a notch up from standard Macon, this straw-coloured Chardonnay from the far south of Burgundy has lively, orchard fruits on the nose with a touch of lemon zest and balances ripe peachy fruits with good minerality on the fresh finish.

A good entry level white from the famous Baron Philippe De Rothschild empire, Mouton Cadet Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Bordeaux AOC, France (£9.99, www.ocado.com) is an elegant sauvignon blanc and the negociants (partner wine-growers) in the Entre-Deux-Mers (between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers) bring all their expertise and best grapes together to produce this bright white. Easy drinking and aromatic with grapefruit and juicy lime aromas and a good balance of subtle grassy flavours, it finishes with cleansing acidity.

Heading south of Bordeaux to the Graves region and famous appellation of Pessac-Leognan which has been cited by experts as a top tip in value for the 2012 vintage, try La Terrasse De La Garde 2012 Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France (£16, Sainsbury's), which is the second wine of Dourthe's Chateau La Garde. Merlot dominant (early ripening, it fared better than cabernet sauvignon in the late 2012 harvest), this is a suave claret with sweet, generous, concentrated fruit, cedar and spice, velvety tannins and a lick of blackcurrants laced in spice on the finish.

With Bastille Day coinciding with the Tour de France and riders heading to the Rhone Valley a few days later for the 15th Stage (July 19), there'll still be plenty of flag waving as the crowds line the rocky hillsides and cheer on the yellow jersey.

A southern belle and real crowd-pleaser, Les Dauphins Cru des Cotes du Rhone 2013 - Vinsobres, France (£13.49, Waitrose) is a fitting red to toast the day's highlights. Extremely drinkable with Cru representing the highest quality level and lifting this wine from average to acclaimed (only the top 16 villages can use the Cru term) it's made mostly from grenache with a little syrah to ensure a warm and generous mouthfeel, with plush blackberry fruits, spice and smooth tannins.

Meanwhile, the highly regarded Chateauneuf-du-Pape label is a great excuse to celebrate the very best of French wine. And what could be better than Sainsbury's own brand Taste the Difference Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2013, France (£14, Sainsbury's) which won a Great Value award at the International Wine Challenge 2015. A wine that punches well above its weight, this is a smooth, fruity drop which is so quaffable, it's impossible to stop at just one glass. Grenache once again takes centre stage, with syrah, mourvedre and cinsault complimenting the symphony of flavours. Delicieux with or without food.

Elsewhere, Provence in the South of Frances produces the best rose in the world and pretty shell pinks such as Chateau Gassier, Le Pas Du Moine Rose 2014, Cotes de Provence Saint Victoire, France (£70.98, case of 6, www.thefinewinecompany.co.uk) are worth seeking out. A beautiful rose that balances silkiness with layered finesse, the delicate core of grapefruit entwined with citrus fruits caresses the palate with an exotic fruit note on the graceful finish. Awarded Gold at the Sommelier Wine Awards 2014 and a Silver at the International Wine Challenge 2015.

:: BEST BUY

Light my fire... America's best selling whiskey, JD have infused Jack Daniel's Old No 7 Tennessee Whiskey with fiery hot cinnamon liqueur to create Jack Daniel's Tennessee Fire (£25, 70cl, Tesco). Charcoal mellowed and exceptionally smooth on the palate with powerful notes of cinnamon and spice, it'll certainly fire up the tastebuds when it's served neat over ice.

:: LIQUID NEWS

Wine Workshop... Sip & Learn is a new monthly wine subscription service set up by two French friends which hopes to make wine more accessible and take the enigma out of choosing a decent bottle.

"I love wine but tend to panic when asked to taste or choose it," says one half of the duo, Marie-Anne Onraed. "I used to call my friend Sylvain or text pictures of wines to get his help all the time.

"I've always wanted to learn about wine, but going to classes sounded too scary and pompous so we started thinking about how we could help people like me discover and understand how wine works without getting bored or feeling shy at a wine-tasting class."

Each month, two very good bottles (predominantly French) that have been carefully chosen by wine expert Sylvain Wellhoff, will arrive at subscribers' doorsteps, accompanied by a booklet that tells you everything you need to know about the wine.

Sip & Learn (£30 per month) subscriptions are ongoing; or on a three, six and 12 monthly basis. For more info visit www. sipandlearn.co.uk