The Natural Wine Bar Revolution in Paris
Forget stuffy sommeliers. Paris's caves à manger are where locals actually drink.
Paris wine culture has changed.
The old guard — white tablecloths, leather-bound wine lists, sommeliers in suits — still exists. But the real action is in the caves à manger: wine bars that serve natural wines by the glass with small plates designed for sharing.
What is Natural Wine?
Natural wine is made with minimal intervention: organic or biodynamic grapes, native yeasts, little to no added sulfites. It can be cloudy, funky, sometimes slightly fizzy. It's polarizing. Some bottles taste like cider, others like nothing you've tried before. That's the point.
Where to Start
Le Verre Volé (10th)
The OG. This tiny spot in the 10th helped start the movement. Come for lunch when it's less crowded. Order whatever the waiter suggests and a plate of charcuterie.
Septime La Cave (11th)
The wine bar sister to the famous Septime restaurant. Small, packed, excellent. The selection rotates constantly. Trust the staff — they know what's drinking well right now.
Aux Deux Amis (11th)
More neighborhood bar than wine temple. Locals pack in for cheap glasses and better-than-they-need-to-be small plates. Go early or late — the middle is chaos.
How to Order
Don't overthink it. Tell the bartender what you usually drink (or what you're in the mood for), and let them guide you. "Something red, medium body, not too funky" works. So does "surprise me."
Order food. These aren't bars for drinking on an empty stomach. Cheese, charcuterie, whatever looks good. The food is meant to complement the wine, not compete with it.
The Etiquette
- Sit at the bar if you can. That's where the energy is.
- Don't ask for an ice cube. Just don't.
- Pace yourself. These places encourage lingering. No one's rushing you out.
- Trust the pour. If your glass looks small, that's intentional. Better to try three wines than fill up on one.
The natural wine scene can feel intimidating, but the whole philosophy is about accessibility. Good wine, good company, no pretension. That's Paris at its best.