Our Favorite Wine Bars in Paris

<div>Inspired by the day and the hour (omg - TGIF!) we're dedicating a post to our absolute favorite places to grab a bottle of <em>vin</em> in <a href="http://www.jauntsetter.com/archive/trip_picks/october-s-perfect-paris-trip">Paris</a>. The list is brief; we've really just included the best of the best. We've also only listed bars known for their impressive (and affordable) selection of biodynamic and organic wines. </div><div><br /></div><div>Why is this of note? Unlike New World wines and institutions, France has an extremely long history of making wines according to lots of maxims, rules and even laws. Therefore, biodynamic wines in Paris are a bit of an exception - perhaps even slightly controversial - and the places that serve them tend to be a bit against-the-grain themselves. </div><div><br /></div><div>As a result, all the wine bars listed below have cult followings of sorts; undeniable, youthful energy; and diverse crowds. In other words, each place is worth checking out for its atmosphere alone. You'll probably not find tourists at any of them (though perhaps you'll find a jauntsetter?). </div><div><br /></div><div>Another note: "wine bar" means something entirely different in Paris than in New York. The following establishments are all places where you go for sit-down meals - sometimes charcuterie-based, more often heavier fare -  and it's highly recommended that you call ahead to confirm hours and score a reservation for lunch or dinner. Actually, for all three places, it's imperative.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now let's get onto the good stuff .... and when you're done reading, please share your favorite wine bar picks (in Paris or elsewhere) with us!</div><div><br /></div><div>___________________________________________________________________</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Our #1 recommendation is <em>Autour d'un Verre</em>:</strong></div><div><br /></div><div>We were brought to Autour d'un Verre by a friend of ours who grew up with the owner, Kevin. Kevin originally hails from Mountain View, California, but you'd never know it by his perfect French, amazing cooking and passion for Old World - but biodynamic - wines. </div><div><br /></div><div>The food at Autour d'un Verre is comfort food of sorts, entirely unpretentious and totally delicious. Its space is cozy and cramped, and the seating is literally elbow-to-elbow on a weekend night. </div><div><br /></div><div>On that note, try and get to Autour d'un Verre late (read: 10:30ish) on a Saturday; you'll find yourself in a crowd of Kevin's friends, fellow wine enthusiasts who will be more than happy to chat with you in broken English after you've all shared a bottle or two. </div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of wine, the <em>vin</em> is truly outstanding and if you'd like to learn more about the biodynamic offerings, the tiny staff is a veritable fountain of knowledge. And don't be shy: while Kevin might seem a bit gruff at first, he's ultimately quite friendly and definitely warms up as the night, and his frantic workplace, wind down.</div><div><br /></div><div>[Also of note: We're pleased to see that one of our favorite Parisian food writers, Clotide from<a href="http://chocolateandzucchini.com/archives/2008/09/twelve_hours_in_paris.php#more"> Chocolate & Zuchinni</a>, listed Autour d'un Verre as one of the only restaurants in her recent "<a href="http://chocolateandzucchini.com/archives/2008/09/twelve_hours_in_paris.php#more">12 Hours in Paris</a>" post.]</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Our next recommendation comes from Kevin. It's <em>Le Baratin</em>:</strong></div><div><strong><br /></strong></div><div>This institution<strong> </strong>has<strong> </strong>been serving outstanding but simple fare for around for over 25 years. The emphasis at Le Baratin is on fresh ingredients and it's pretty impossible to get a seat without a reservation - the place is constantly packed. Unless you're a regular, service is brisk and somewhat unfriendly. Then again, if you're sitting at the bar for dinner and you look like you're enjoying your meal, try and speak a little French; you just may charm them after all. Come here if you're serious about food and wine. A great value.</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Our final suggestion is lots of fun - <em>Le Verre Volé</em></strong>:</div><div><br /></div><div>Le Verre Volé is located in the vibrant Canal St. Martin neighborhood, where you'll likely be whiling away some of your Parisian evenings. This establishment doubles as a very-busy wine shop and restaurant of sorts.  While there's no cooking done on the premises, Le Verre Volé serves the finest charcuterie in Paris, and it's delicious. Lest there be any confusion, you'll be getting a full meal here, whether for lunch or dinner, and the owners are more than happy to help you with wine pairings (obviously, they've got quite a list!). </div><div><br /></div><div>Again, reservations are a must - there are only a few tables here. That said, if the weather is nice, the staff will also open you a bottle off the shelves, charge a small corkage fee, and send you on your merry way to enjoy your drinks by the Canal, which is just a few blocks away. </div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy and have fun. And please - if we haven't made ourselves clear - make a reservation!</div><div><br /></div><div>__________________________________________________________________</div><div><br /></div><div><strong><em>More Details:</em></strong></div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Autour D'Un Verre</strong><br /></div><div>21 rue de Trévise, 9th Arr</div><div>01 48 24 43 74.<br /></div><div>Metro: Cadet</div><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="http://www.lebaratin.net">Le Baratin</a></div><div>3 rue Jouye-Rouve, 20th Arr</div><div>011-33-1-43-49-39-70</div><div>Metro: Pyrénées / Belleville<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.davidlebovitz.com/archives/2005/06/le_verre_vol.html">Le Verre Volé</a></div><div> 67 rue de Lancry tel</div><div>01 48 03 17 34</div><div> Metro: Jacques Bonsergent</div><div><br /></div><div>Also see <a href="http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/paris-old-school-and-new-wine-bars">Food & Wine's List</a> of Paris Wine Bars for more suggestions.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div> 2008-10-03T17:43:24Z 11 our-favorite-wine-bars-in-paris Our Favorite Wine Bars in Paris

2009-08-27T17:52:41Z