Wine Tasting in Paris: 10 Places You Have to Try

The southern French city of Bordeaux is often known as the wine capital of the world. But Paris is more than capable of giving it a run for its money. In France, after all, wine is a way of life. French wine is known around the world for its quality, and Paris is home to some of the best restaurants and wine bars in the entire country — and, therefore, the world.

If you're a wine lover, you're almost certainly going to love Paris. Drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage in Paris, and you'll be ready to dive into wine tasting and wine tours in this legendary city. The best wine tastings in Paris will teach you about the culture and history surrounding this drink as well as providing you with some exquisite taste sensations. And once you factor in the opportunity to sample French specialties and pair wines with excellent food, including the staggering diversity of French cheeses, you'll see why wine tasting in Paris is something every oenophile needs to experience at least once in their lifetime.

Enjoying a wine tasting experience at a Paris wine bar or wine shop is also one of the best things to do in Paris at night. So bring your palate and get ready to dive into the dizzying world of French wine.

O Chateau

If you don't know where to start with French wine, start here. O Chateau curates wine tastings designed to be the perfect introduction to the sometimes confusing world of French wines. Focusing on small groups of no more than eight, this company uses three private rooms to host wine tastings where you'll get to sample famous and lesser-known bottles combined with French cheese and other food. Unusually for France, there are even vegetarian options, making this a great option for a mixed group and one of the most accessible yet sophisticated Paris wine tastings around.

O Chateau has more than 50 wines by the glass and over a thousand bottles, so they can offer you a virtual wine tasting tour of the entire country. For an unforgettable wine tasting experience, this is the perfect place to start.

Les Caves du Louvre

Have you ever wanted to sip wine in the former home of the French royal sommelier? Most likely, you didn't even know that was an option. But the recently opened Caves du Louvre are located in the mansion that once belonged to Louis XV's head wine expert, and it's hard to imagine a more fitting location for the sensory journey through French wine.

This is no regular wine bar. Instead, you'll be taken on a journey through five themed rooms, each of them focusing on a different sense as it relates to French wine. You'll learn how to admire and understand the color, how to experience the nose, and how to drink wine like a pro. And the final room, devoted to taste, is undoubtedly the best. Here you'll finally get to drink the wine you've been learning so much about and apply your new wine tasting skills.

Caves du Louvre is an interactive experience that's halfway between a cutting-edge museum and regular wine tasting tours. Whatever else it may be, it's a unique experience to have in the City of Light, and one wine connoisseurs shouldn't miss. And if you don't know a lot about wine, even better. By the time you emerge from this cellar, you'll be a fully-fledged wine expert yourself.

Dilettantes

The depth of French wine production is staggering, with thousands of different types produced every year across the country. Therefore, wine tasting events in Paris can afford to specialize. Dilettantes is devoted solely to sparkling wine from the Champagne region, and you'll learn more about this celebratory drink here than you ever realized there was to know.

Champagne is often seen as the elitist drink par excellence. But this wine bar isn't aimed at the rich and famous, but at regular people who want to appreciate the often overlooked diversity of this winemaking region. You'll get to try some rare and unique champagnes at surprisingly reasonable prices, making this a fascinating wine tasting to visit in Paris.

Promenade des Sens

Paris is a city virtually made for walking. And while it can be nice to hole up in a wine bar to taste wine and Paris food while you relax, there are other options. Promenade des Sens offers one of the best wine tours in Paris, combining cultural highlights with wine tasting to sample some of the best the French capital has to offer.

This company offers a range of different wine tasting experiences, from more general city tours to an in-depth look at specific regions like Burgundy. No matter what your level of interest or expertise, there's a tour here for you. And the best part is that you'll get to see some of Paris' most iconic landmarks while you learn about and taste French wine.

If you're looking for an active and informative way to spend an afternoon in Paris, Promenade des Sens is hard to beat. Whether you want to explore the city or delve deep into the world of wine, they have a tour for you.

Tours wind their way through the Saint Germain des Prés neighborhood, where you'll get to meet some of the city's top wine merchants and learn more about white and red wine and the Paris wine industry. Along with wine tastings, you'll visit historic locations and learn more about how wine has become such a key part of French culture. It's a fascinating way to explore the city, but make sure you don't overindulge on your visit to Saint Germain des Prés. You don't want to be stumbling back to your Paris hotel.

Ecole V

This is another great wine tasting experience for those just starting out on their French wine journey. Ecole V aims to educate beginners who are intimidated by the lengthy wine lists at Parisian restaurants, and they even offer certification to prove that you're a real wine expert.

You'll start your wine education with a quick lesson on the basics, learning about different grape varieties and how to read a wine list. Then it's time to put your new skills to the test with a blind tasting. This is where you'll really start to understand more about what you like (and don't like) in a wine. After that, it's onto the main event: lunch or dinner with wine pairings chosen by the experts at Ecole V.

You'll learn how to put together the perfect wine pairing and what to look for on a French wine label, and you'll also develop your tasting skills. Located in central Paris, this company looks beyond French wine to teach you about different wine varieties from around the world.

Whether you're interested in getting certified or just want to enjoy an educational wine tasting in Paris, this is a great option. And if you get hungry during your visit, they also offer some excellent food to accompany your wines.

De Vinis Illustribus

The Latin Quarter is one of the most historic and most interesting parts of Paris, and it's no coincidence that this is where De Vinis Illustribus does business. Located in a 17th-century wine cellar, this company offers several different wine tasting experiences. Learn about wine pairing with French cheeses, or embark on a tasting dinner guided by a knowledgeable sommelier who will help you understand how wine and food work together to make the perfect meal. These tasting sessions offer an experience not to be missed, so it's well worth booking ahead to make sure you don't miss out.

Vedettes de Paris

Taking a river cruise along the Seine is a classic Paris experience all by itself. But combined with the wine experts from O Chateau, you can enjoy a wine tasting in Paris while admiring some of the city's greatest monuments at the same time.

Vedettes de Paris will take you on a boat ride along the river while also providing a selection of carefully selected champagnes. It's a fantastic way to celebrate a Paris wine tour, and a brilliant date night activity that's sure to be the highlight of any Paris trip.

Paris Wine Company

The Paris Wine Company is a great option for those who want to learn about wine in a more hands-on way. This company offers several different wine courses, all of which are designed to be fun and informative.

One of their most popular experiences is the "Wine Discovery Course," which takes place over the course of two hours. You'll start with a crash course in wine tasting, learning how to identify different flavors and aromas. Then it's time to put your new skills to the test with a blind tasting. After that, you'll learn about food pairing and how to choose the right wine for any meal.

The Paris Wine Company also offers more comprehensive courses that take place over several weeks. These are perfect for those who want to really dive into the world of wine and come out as experts.

No matter what level you're starting at, the Paris Wine Company has a course that's perfect for you. And with several locations around the city, it's easy to find one that's convenient for you.

Vinexpo Paris

If you find yourself in the French capital in mid February, don't miss the opportunity to explore this massive international wine festival. More than 25,000 industry experts descend on Paris to make deals and learn about what's new and exciting in the world of wine. You don't need to be a professional to get something out of this major event.

There are plenty of free events open to the public, including wine tastings, educational seminars, and more. It's a great way to learn about new wines and meet the people who make them. Even if you're not in the industry, it's an event that any wine lover will enjoy.

Montmartre Wine Festival

Held each year in October, this four-day festival takes place in one of Paris's most exciting districts.

During the festival, the streets of Montmartre are taken over by wine stalls, offering visitors the chance to sample wines from all over France. There are also food stalls selling traditional French fare, making it the perfect opportunity to enjoy a picnic in one of Paris's most beautiful neighborhoods.

The Montmartre Wine Festival is a great way to experience some of France's best wines in a truly unique setting. If you're lucky enough to be in Paris during the festival, don't miss out on this fantastic event.

Conclusion

The truth is, the world of wine tasting in Paris is so deep and rich that an article like this can barely hope to scratch the surface of everything that's on offer. The events and tastings listed above are a great place to start, but there's always more to discover in the world of Paris wine.

And that's true of the city as a whole. Check out our guide on how to spend three days in Paris to help guide you as to what to do when you're not drinking wine, and you'll see that this is a city where you could spend a lifetime and still not discover everything it has to offer.

But help is at hand. Drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage, and you'll be able to get the best out of the City of Light.