Paris nights are the best.
There is nothing more reassuring after a cold crisp evening walk on the streets in Paris than entering the warmth of a local wine merchant store, especially after many many many kilometers with a full bladder. Wearing tights. Under rapidly increasing tighter jeans.
Almost every wine merchant in Paris also offers snacks in the form of charcuterie. France, known for its amazing cheeses, and those famous baguettes mean stretchy denim is also a must.
The sound of the door chime, a ‘Bonsoir’, seeing the array of wine bottles with the inviting waft of cheeses was all I needed to come in and ask if they offered an Airbnb service. I found out after I visited the badly needed loo, that they do not.
La Cave de Belleville on Rue de Belleville is a charming must-stop for any wine lover while in Paris. With local and regional wines everywhere, alongside simplistic furniture and welcoming staff demonstrate why the French are leaders in the wine trade. Many wines aren’t exported out of these local regions, so having the opportunity to try them is a firm must, oui?
After finally feeling comfortable around the midline again, it was time to sit down and order le snacks. What I love about Europe is that you can also drink off the shelf for a small corkage fee which means the choices are endless.
The French know how to do charcuterie given it is a French word that translates to “pork butcher” and means for a style of cooking to prepared meats. Given the delectable wines available, trying to choose one was rather problematic. But again, as the French don’t export all their golden gems, drinking those hard to find wines become easier. All it takes is a trip to Paris!
We selected Jura producers Peggy et Jean Pascal Buronfosse and their Entre Deux 2016. A rather zippy white with a great nose, this organic wine delivers a real swing-in-the-mouth sensation and was the perfect accompaniment to the evening.
The meats, the cheeses, the baguettes, the wine, and the service made it a perfect evening in Paris. Whether you are visiting or a local, this cave of wonder stands out. Make sure to include it on your travel plans and a word of advice, ensure you wear loose-fitting clothes. Salut!
“ENTRE-DEUX”
Peggy et Jean Pascal Buronfosse
Region: Jura, France
Grape: Savagnin
Vineyard Size: 3.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 70 years
Farming: biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: spontaneous fermentation in neutral oak with indigenous yeasts
Aging: in neutral oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
La Cave de Belleville
51 Rue de Belleville, 75019 Paris, France
Between the 19th & 20th arrondissement.