The category of people that turn their back to wine in the most blatant manner is not younger Parisians though. It is Parisian women. Wine, being alcohol, has two main characteristics: it makes you fat and it makes you lose control. There are no reasons to drink wine. Whatsoever. The only wine la Parisienne can tolerate is champagne. Bien frais s’il vous plait. Frequently sweetened and colored up a bit as it gets turned into a Kir Royal. After two sips, la Parisienne will claim that she’s tipsy and shut down for the rest of the evening, secretly blaming the person in front of her for making her drink.
Recently, the edgiest bobos have started to frequent the few wine bars that specialize in vins naturels, which have flourished over the past few years. Vins naturels is an interesting concept of a category of wines made with very little, if any, sulfites. Most of these wines are bad, with striking technical defects, and fully overpriced. They are presented as wines with great personality to gullible and self-absorbed bobos who believe that because these wines are naturel, they are “real.” And that, consequently, all other wines are not.
Between Parisians who are not really drinking wine, those drinking not real wine, and those drinking what they’re sure is real wine, the Parisian wine situation is quite disconcerting. Only one thing is certain: Parisians should drink more if it.
USEFUL TIP: For an exciting wine experience in Paris (there is nothing wrong with a shameless plug), sign up for one of Ô Chateau’s wine tastings on www.o-chateau.com. They are informative and fun. Also, for good wines in a great environment in Paris (including many legendary French wines by the glass), come to my wine bar: 68, rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau in the 1st arrondissement. And be prepared to have some fun. Some of us Parisians resist.
SOUND LIKE A PARISIAN: Tu veux du vin? Non? OK. Non, merci, une carafe d’eau s’il vous plait. (“Would you like some wine? No? OK. No thank you, just a carafe of water, please.”)
Stuff Parisians Like Page 18