Cavistes Paris 18th 75018

Who remembers going to the grocery store to get wine by the tug-of-war with his bottles in a bottle holder? Here, it's simple: the customer arrives with his cubi or bottles, he fills them from the wine tank of his choice, most of them being organic. If he doesn't have any bottles, the house provides him with nice ones, designed on the model of the old lemonade bottles. They are returnable - the slogan of the place is "the return of the deposit" - as well as the cubes. Oenology courses and various events are organized here.

This cellar has a lot to offer... As soon as you walk out the door, you enter further into the shop, which then stretches, like a wide corridor lined with richly furnished bottle racks. Walk along the shelves, push the door from the back and see how comfortable everyone seems in this hidden bar where you can drink good little wines. Frédéric, Pascal and Benoît are here to advise you and welcome you with professionalism. Boards and good bread to accompany the fine selection of wines. On the sidewalk, two tables, always occupied or almost, by customers sitting around a glass of wine or, even better, a bottle.

Eric de Greef is a former web designer who got fed up with the web. He wanted to make a living from his passion, and so Cave 18 was born. Unlike other often cluttered cellars, his is modern, bright and airy, with all the bottles neatly arranged. He favors small, inexpensive appellations, and you can sense his preference for southern wines such as those from Languedoc and the Rhône Valley. Other regions are less well represented, although there are a few nice little labels. Over 400 references, including foreign wines, vins doux naturels, as well as champagnes, whiskies, rums, armagnacs, cognacs and more. Eric de Greef's cellar is a living space. He offers a wine bar open weekdays from 5pm and all weekend long, with a snack bar (tapas, terrines, charcuterie or cheese platters, salads...). He also invites artists to his micro-gallery for themed evenings.