Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Destinations > Europe > France and Monaco
Reload this Page >

Suggestions on where to buy wine ?

Suggestions on where to buy wine ?

Old Apr 12, 2016, 7:33 am
  #16  
Ambassador: Peru
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: LIM Peru
Programs: LanPass Premium, AA (former gold), MileagePlus Silver
Posts: 752
Thanks both!

Yes, I've also located at the map the nearest Nicolas to my hotel
Villavic is offline  
Old Apr 12, 2016, 1:11 pm
  #17  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Accor 25+ Badge
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,791
Originally Posted by Yahillwe
I would find the nearest Nicolas and buy from there. Most of us do that. I find mine to be knowledgeable and very helpful.
Excellent advice. Nicolas is the best place to go and there are some everywhere in Paris.
Goldorak is offline  
Old Apr 18, 2016, 4:33 am
  #18  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Paris, France
Programs: Over-entitled UA 1PMM; JetSmarter; HHonors Gold
Posts: 9,723
A couple other recommendations:

1. If you like Malbec, then try wines from Cahors. This is the place in France that has been traditionally centered on the Malbec grape.
2. When looking at Merlots, as was recommend, you can find some great wines from the St Emilion region of Bordeaux. Look for wines from the 2010 vintage, this is one of the greatest vintages in history and even wines at the lower price range are fantastic. Also 2009 is excellent. Avoid Bordeaux from 2013 at all costs. I would take a 15 Euro 2010 St Emilion over a 60 Euro 2013 any day.
oenophilist is offline  
Old Apr 18, 2016, 7:43 pm
  #19  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Accor 25+ Badge
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,791
Originally Posted by oenophilist
A couple other recommendations:

1. If you like Malbec, then try wines from Cahors. This is the place in France that has been traditionally centered on the Malbec grape.
But for Cahors wine, you really need to take some expensive ones which are indeed excellent. The cheap ones are absolutely horrible.
Goldorak is offline  
Old Apr 19, 2016, 3:01 am
  #20  
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,400
Originally Posted by Villavic
Yes, I've also located at the map the nearest Nicolas to my hotel
If you're looking for a very specific bottle (that isn't too exotic) you can head to the big supermarkets as well. Carrefour, Intermarch, Auchan, etc... (the big supermarkets) have usually a considerable range of wine and bubbly to choose from...

I usually check beforehand via their websites...

Originally Posted by Goldorak
But for Cahors wine, you really need to take some expensive ones which are indeed excellent. The cheap ones are absolutely horrible.
Indeed. The cheap Cahors are often barely good enough to make gravy with them.
WorldLux is offline  
Old Apr 21, 2016, 8:05 pm
  #21  
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: HKG
Programs: CX SL
Posts: 74
I would recommend to avoid Nicolas at all cost : overpriced, average selection, bad service. A good summary here (in french).
maxlmn is offline  
Old Apr 21, 2016, 9:50 pm
  #22  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: QFF Gold, Flying Blue, Enrich
Posts: 5,366
Originally Posted by maxlmn
I would recommend to avoid Nicolas at all cost : overpriced, average selection, bad service. A good summary here (in french).
That might be reasonable for a French person looking to buy a serious bottle. but for a foreigner seeking a pleasant French wine that is unavailable "back home", I would recommend Nicolas. The staff are helpful, they understand the products that they are selling, and they usually have a good command of English and use that skill with some wit which may be lost on foreigners.
BadgerBoi is offline  
Old Apr 21, 2016, 10:10 pm
  #23  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,327
Originally Posted by Yahillwe
lhgreengrd1, gave a good summery.

I would find the nearest Nicolas and buy from there. Most of us do that. I find mine to be knowledgeable and very helpful.
I've had good experiences with Nicolas. They're all over Paris and I've always received good advice in English or French.

Note that different Nicolas stores can have very different opening hours, so be sure to check the specifics for the location you plan to try. It probably doesn't matter to you, but some are small neighborhood places while others are much larger.
MSPeconomist is offline  
Old Apr 22, 2016, 1:06 pm
  #24  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Accor 25+ Badge
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,791
Originally Posted by maxlmn
I would recommend to avoid Nicolas at all cost : overpriced, average selection, bad service. A good summary here (in french).
There are so many Nicolas shops in France that of course some are better than others, but I never had a bad experience with them. I had in 99% of time some very courteous and professional people. And overpriced , I really don't think so, sincerely. So your statement to avoid them "at all cost" is just ridiculous.
Goldorak is offline  
Old Apr 22, 2016, 3:08 pm
  #25  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: A metal nomad
Programs: Mucci des Delices Exotiques,Order of the Platinum Hairbrush,Her Royal Diamond
Posts: 23,657
For a tourist it isn't easy to find a caviste, easier to go to Nicolas. I have a caviste for special orders but go to my local Nicolas for my every day wines. And their prices are very reasonable.
Yahillwe is offline  
Old Apr 22, 2016, 10:00 pm
  #26  
 
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Denver CO
Posts: 3,682
Originally Posted by maxlmn
I would recommend to avoid Nicolas at all cost : overpriced, average selection, bad service. A good summary here (in french).
Vast over-generalization on a thread recommending buying wine at supermarkets.
Mountain Trader is offline  
Old Apr 23, 2016, 12:42 am
  #27  
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,400
Originally Posted by maxlmn
I would recommend to avoid Nicolas at all cost
Not everybody has the time to look for the right wine merchant or even drive to the property where the wine is made. Given that, Nicolas is a pretty good choice if you're looking to buy wine, but have no specific bottle in mind.

Many points, addressed in the review, apply to big supermarkets as well. Some Carrefours only have mediocre selection as well.
WorldLux is offline  
Old Apr 23, 2016, 11:29 am
  #28  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Paris, France
Programs: Over-entitled UA 1PMM; JetSmarter; HHonors Gold
Posts: 9,723
I personally rarely shop at Nicolas, but it is just fine for the tourist looking for a selection of decent French wines at reasonable prices. Supermarkets have fine selections too. It would be different if I were recommending stores to a wine geek. In that case, I would stay away from Nicolas and recommend a plethora of other options. But there is nothing wrong with Nicolas or supermarkets for that matter.
oenophilist is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.