Over time I've heard that it is common to find cheap (I'm thinking 8€ or less) wine in France that is very good. I would appreciate recommendations from the group of cheap-but-good French wines that are easily obtainable (ideally at Monoprix) in Paris.
Thank you!
Yes, any Monoprix (or other supermarket chain) will have good selections at reasonable prices. One of my favorites, hard to find in the US is Cahors from south central France. It will be in your price range.
If you want a good experience but inexpensive wine, your neighborhood local, independent wine shop is your best bet. Just tell them your price and preferences and trust them. Monoprix and other large chains, including the Nicholas wine shops, are not as good for the price. Don’t be embarrassed because many French people know little about wine labels, grape varieties, growing conditions. They just know what they like and what they are willing to spend. Those who are knowledgeable buy in shops or from the vineyards.
Grocery stores are the budget option. I'm able to find very good wine for 6 or 7 euro regularly. One rule in France, a 7 euro bottle of wine from a lesser known region will beat a 7 euro bottle of wine from a famous area.
I have found good prices - and good advice - in wine shops too, but you probably need to use a shop nowhere near a tourist area. You won't get advice in a grocery store and might or might not find a label you tried and liked.
I would focus on regions (Appellations) as opposed to a vineyard or label. Each tends to vary in taste, body, grape, to the point that if you find wines you like, they likely will be from the same or similar regions.
For example, I tend to prefer wines from the Cote du Rhone, I think they are brighter, fruitier, and easier to drink than other reds. If Whites are what you are into, try maybe some of the Alsatian wines.
The cremant that we prefer and that my son served at his wedding is about $20 at a big box wine outlet here. I can buy it for about 8 Euro a bottle at the local Carrefour or Monoprix in Paris. We have had mixed luck with wine shops and their recommendations. Usually we have done very well, but I still remember with dismay the bubbly we bought for a dinner party in Paris for aperitif on the recommendation of a heretofore reliable wine shop that was pretty much undrinkable -- we were really embarrassed with it. And became we were only staying for a month we didn't have a wine cellar to back us up when this stuff turned out to be lousy.
If you want a good experience but inexpensive wine, your neighborhood local, independent wine shop is your best bet.
Good advice. Yes, it's possible to get good,inexpensive wine at a grocery sore; there's plenty. But there's also some much junk at your average French grocery store that unless you really know your wines, you'll be likely to end up sorely disappointed. And there's virtually no chance of getting advice there.
For an old-fashioned wine bar, you can't beat le Baron Rouge, in Place d'Aligre between Bastille and Gare de Lyon. Not cheap by the glass, unless you imitate the neighbours and bring your own plastic jugs to be filled straight from the barrel and taken home. The surrounding market is fun, too, in the mornings.
http://lebaronrouge.net/
Thank you everyone for all the useful responses here so far! I wouldn't have thought to give a wine shop a try and le Baron Rouge looks really fun.
While we did have that one terrible experience with a local wine shop, in general that is good advice. Excellent cheap wine is at the Monoprix, but if you don't know what to choose you are a hostage to good luck. We try to go to independent wine shops for all the usual reasons but the chain shop Nicholas will also have a knowledgeable proprietor who will be able to give you good advice within a price range if you don't find an independent shop nearby.
Years ago we just took our chances at the grocery store and had good luck.
