France
Bordeaux
Le Petit Bois – 18 Rue Chai des Farines 05.56.79.06.46
The interior is decorated with large trees and soft romantic lighting making for a “woods” – like atmosphere as the name suggests. Nice selection of wines by the glass, accompanied with your choice of a savory or sweet snack. New World wines represented as well as Old World wines.
L’Autre Petit Bois – 12 Place du Parlement 05.56.48.02.93
In the same style of the original Petit Bois, but with more space. The service is always great.
Paris
Le Coup de Grâce – 26 rue Berthollet (5th arrondissement) 01.45.35.82.37 (website)
Owned by two young wine aficionados who are very knowledgeable about their wines. Mostly represents French wines. Fun atmosphere.
La Trinquette – 67 rue des gravilliers (3rd arrondissement) 09.52.07.80.60
On a quiet side street, off of the trendy Marais quartier, this wine bar specializes in wines and products from the Languedoc region. The decoration is cozy and modern, the wines very nice, and the food of a very good quality. I recommend the olive plate for a taste of the South of France.
Willi’s Wine Bar – 13 rue des petits champs (1st arrondissement) 01.42.61.05.09 (website)
Always a good selection by the glass, representing not only France, but New World wines as well. A nice bar setting for a casual glass and cheese plate, but they also have a dining room for those with larger appetites. A nice location right by the Opera Garnier.
