Suggestions on where to buy wine ?
#17
#18
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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.
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.
#19
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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...
Indeed. The cheap Cahors are often barely good enough to make gravy with them.
I usually check beforehand via their websites...
Indeed. The cheap Cahors are often barely good enough to make gravy with them.
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I would recommend to avoid Nicolas at all cost : overpriced, average selection, bad service. A good summary here (in french).
#23
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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.
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I would recommend to avoid Nicolas at all cost : overpriced, average selection, bad service. A good summary here (in french).
#25
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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.
#27
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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.
Many points, addressed in the review, apply to big supermarkets as well. Some Carrefours only have mediocre selection as well.
#28
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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.