The Galerie Vivienne access near Caves Legrand is at 4 rue des Petits Champs. The wine shop which was operated by several generations of Legrands is not owned any more by the Legrand family. It was bought in 2000 by Gerard Sibourd-Baudry and Christian de Chateauvieux who renovated the place while keeping its quality wines orientation. One of their best-inspired initiative was to add a wine bar section in the middle of the shop in 2001.
At the bar, the sommelier can prepare fine and light foods to eat with the wine, also served at the counter or at one of the few tables nearby. There's a warmful and refined atmosphere at the same time, with the brass and the wood of the floor, the floor-to-ceiling shelves and ladders.
The wine shop itself has a wide range of wines and good champagnes. Also in another room, specialty foods like foie gras and candy are displayed, actually the shop at its origin was selling spices, tea and sweets, and the wines were added somewhere in the early 20th century. Speaking of the wine list at the bar, it changes regularly and the owners follow a different theme every month to highlight this or that wine region. And you can order any bottle chosen on the shelves with a 15 Euro cork fee added on the bottle.
Benedicte chose a Corsica white : Clos d'Alzeto 2003 . Vermentino . I chose a red from Argentina : Santa Ercilia 2001 . Malbec. produced at Alto Vale de Uco , Mendoza , Argentina . Old wine estate founded in 1937. nice nose. Warmful and spicy. A pleasure.
While not the cheapest wine bar for its glass prices, it is a good place to enjoy and discover wines, and at the same time impregnate yourself with the interior architecture of the Galerie Vivienne. By the way, on the other side of the Galerie, facing the wine shop, there is another Legrand store selling all kind of wine accessories and litterature.
Caves Legrand also organizes regularly wine education courses and theme tasting events (see website for the program).
Interesting post...I'll love following this blog. Pierre and I always drop into Caves Legrand whenever we are in Paris. In 2012 and 2013 I expect to be sampling their wine frequently!!!
Posted by: Paris Rendez-vous | January 27, 2012 at 03:01 AM