I've just been reading up on the topic of bistros à vins in Paris. I'm a wine-centric tourist and look for experiences beyond a glass of house wine with a meal. It seems possible that a good wine bar would be a fun spot to spend several hours and learn a few new things about French wine.
Any favorites?
Are there well-maintained lists of these sorts of establishments?
Check out Le Baron Rouge over in the 12th -- although it has been somewhat discovered by tourists, it still feels like an authentic neighborhood hangout. It closes at 2 and I can't recall if it opens again at 5. Last time I was there, my husband got his hair cut at the barber around the corner while my children and I shared a charcuterie plate and I tried wines from Provence. It's my favorite wine bar in Paris. O Chateau near the Louvre is also very good albeit with a totally different feel. I used to live around the corner from L'Ecluse and that is also good. Frankly, I have liked every wine bar that I have been to in Paris because I am in Paris drinking wine and that alone makes it a good thing. If you Google wine bars in Paris, you will come upon a pretty good Yelp list.
Oh my goodness, how could I forget L'Avant Comptoir which while not strictly a wine bar has an amazing combination of impeccably prepared small dishes and wines by the glass. It's my first stop when I get to Paris next month.
Google will turn up all sorts of wine bars and getting personal recommendations from them would require a great deal of drinking.
Here are my two: Le Baron Rouge, 1 rue Theophile Roussel adjacent to the Place d'Aligre market in the 12th, is a neighbourhood institution. It's funky not fancy and still will fill up your jug from its barrels. Here are some photos: http://www.wineterroirs.com/2004/08/paris_wine_bars.html
Taverne Henri IV, 13 Place du Pont-Neuf. This tiny ancient place is on the tip of the Ile de La Cite between the two branches of the Pont Neuf. Look for the giant statue of King Henri on his horse; the pub is across the road. Beside it is a very narrow opening into Place Dauphine, a pretty little square backing up on the courts of justice. This is a neighbourhood spot too but the neighbours are businessmen so you will see suits. The marker on ViaMichelin's map unfortunately locates the taverne on the wrong side of the street. A photo: http://mymelange.net/mymelange/2008/05/taverne-henri-iv.html
Here is a list by arrondissement:
http://parisbymouth.com/our-guide-to-paris-wine-bars-2/
If you interested in learning about French wine basics, O Chateau does daily wine tasting classes in English at their place, just north of the Les Halles giant construction project. They're a good basic introduction to wine, tasting methodology, and hey, you get to drink wine. http://www.o-chateau.com/
We're looking forward to trying L’Avant Comptoir in September, having spotted it in Patricia Wells' book.
Here's Rick's interview with Olivier Magny of O-Chateau, he's a funny guy:
https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/radio/programs/program-310
And the business obviously has a well developed sense of humor too:
http://www.o-chateau.com/about-us/team
And here's a sometimes entertaining blog, written by someone younger than I:
notdrinkingpoison.blogspot.com
