Foodtourist Wine Bar Guide
This is a guide to our favourite wine bars throughout the world that concentrate on natural wines that have been grown either organically or biodynamically, have been fermented naturally and have not had any additions during winemaking except, perhaps, low levels of sulphur.
These are places of conviviality where the owners have gone out of their way to source wines that have been produced with integrity and passion, usually from producers who tend the vines and make the wines.
l'Entree des Artistes
l'Entree des Artistes is a tiny bar in the rue de Crussol in the tres fashionable 11th, only a stone's throw from Au Passage in one direction, from Le Repaire de Cartouche in the opposite direction and Aux Deux Amis in another. Here two passionate young men (Edouard Vermynck and Fabien Lombardi) have created a space that is built on excellence in cocktails and ethically-sourced wines.
8, rue de Crussol Paris, 75011121 BC
121BC is the Italian equivalent of a 'cave a manger' where you can buy a focussed selection of impressive biodynamic, organic and natural wines from the length and breadth of Italy as well as joining others at the communal table to graze on the selection of perfectly executed dishes on offer. The bar is managed by the gregarious Georgio de Maria who was deservedly named as top sommelier in Australia by Gourmet Traveller magazine.
4/50 Holt St (entry on Gladstone St) Surry Hills, New South WalesManfreds & Vin
Manfreds & Vin sits right across the road from the famous Relae restaurant in Copenhagen and shares the same ownership. Manfreds is like a 'bat cave' for the staff and the many industry locals who treat it like a second home. At one end of the room is the large walk-in cave with its disco ball lighting and hundreds of bottles of natural wine from small non-interventionist winemakers. Even though it is a perfect place to drop in for a glass of wine, don't overlook the food which is of a similar quality to its cousin over the road.
Jaegersborggade 40, Norreborro, CopenhagenThe Ten Bells
Ten Bells is the first place we head for when we arrive in New York. When you see Jean-Francois Ganevat on a wine list you know they are serious. And when they are accompanied by the Arbois-Pupillin from Emmanuel Houillon, Jean-Marie and Thierry Puzelat's Clos du Tue-Boeuf, the Binner Pinot Gris, Herve Souhart's Ardeche beauties and Philippe Pacalet's Corton-Charlemagne then you know you are looking at a place that is very serious about wine. We are always tempted to start with a Causse Marines Preamboules, a lightly sparkling 'pet nat' from near Gaillac in south west France and to finish with a glass of Stephane Guion's lovely Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley.
247 Broome St, New Yorkl'Avant Comptoir
l'Avant Comptoir is the creation of the restless and energetic Yves Camdeborde who runs Le Comptoir next door. Here he has created a haven for lovers of natural wine where you crowd into this tiny space to have Lapierre Beaujolais poured from the magnum or one of a stellar array of wines from throughout France - all served at incredibly reasonable prices.
9 Carrefour de l'Odéon, ParisTerroirs
Terroirs is a wine bar and restaurant in the heart of London specialising in natural wines from France and beyond. There are some ecellent wines available by the glass and an extensive and well-documented list for ordering by the bottle. Try the wines from Olivier Cousin or Domaine de la Chevalerie from Bourgueil.
5 William IV Street, Charing Cross, LondonSidecar
Sidecar is another venture for the owners of nearby Garagistes, the incredibly popular no-bookings restaurant where eager foodies gather to sample the stunning food and amazing natural wines on offer there. Sidecar is a place where diners can go to have a drink and a snack while waiting for their table. It is also a welcome addition to the Hobart bar scene where an interesting selection of local and imported natural wines is available including some fabulous Italian orange wines and some stars of the French natural wine movement such as Axel Prufer and Nicolas Gauthier.
129 Bathurst St, Hobart, Tasmania10 William Street
10 William Street is one of the most enticing wine bars in Sydney. The space is tight, the walls are covered with wine-related 'art' and the menu is brief but signals that you can snack for a while or settle in for an enjoyable evening. The wine list is eclectic ranging from the safe, such as the wines of Thierry Michon or the amazing Chablis wines of Alice and Olivier de Moor, to more unconventional Italian offerings including a number of orange wines. The place is under the watchful eye of sommelier and manager Matt Young who has an uncanny ability to produce exactly the right wine and the right time.
10 William St, Paddington, 2021
Aux Crieurs de Vin
Aux Crieurs de Vin in Troyes is one of our favourite wine bars anywhere! It has great atmosphere, great conviviality and very good food. The cellar holds examples of all of the finest natural winemakers from throughout France including those of Robinot (L'Ange Vin) from the Loire, Jerome Prevost, Ulysse Collin and Jacques Selosse from Champagne, Yvon Metras from Beaujolais and Philippe Pacalet from Burgundy to name but a few.
4 place Jean Jaures, Troyes, FranceLe Cercle Rouge
Le Cercle Rouge is a funky wine bar in the very centre of the old part of the city of Angers in the Loire Valley of France. They specialise in natural wines and many of the wines from the icons of the movement such as Mosse, Villemade, Puzelat, Lemasson, Przezdziecki (PZ) and so on are represented here. It is a great place to sample the best that the Loire has to offer at very reasonable prices and in very convivial surroundings.
4 rue Clos Deux Haies, Angers, FranceLove, Tilly Devine
Love, Tilly Devine is a secret bar in a back lane in Darlinghurst, Sydney, but not so secret that it is packed and pumping until late into the night. It attracts a crowd that is serious about wine and who want to experience something a bit different.
91 Crown Lane, Darlinghurst, NSWLe Bonheur Suit Son Cours
Le Bonheur Suit Son Cours in the pretty Romanesque village of Vaison-la-Romaine in Vaucluse serves interesting dishes that are not at all pretentious to accompany the very well-chosen selection of biodynamic and natural wines.
Cours de Taulignan, Vaison-la-Romaine, Provence, France
Wine store
The Wine Store in Perth is part of the Lalla Rookh complex in St George's Terrace but is somewhat separated from it with an entrance off Sherwood Court. They have a very good range of Australian and Italian wines that have been produced organically or biodynamically including some that have been produced naturally.
Note that this venue is similar to a French cave-a-manger where you can drop in to buy a bottle to take away or settle in for a wine by the glass or for a full meal if you are hungry.
77 St George's Terrace, Perth, West Australia