CAVE DE CHAILLOT
FRANCE
This tiny wine bar is by far my favourite wine bar in Paris. But it took me a while to discover it! I kept passing by. The first time Cave de Chaillot went unnoticed. The second time I started noticing some interesting wines and less known labels on their selves. The third time I noticed a couple of people having drinks on one of their three tables. Yes, just three!
The fourth time I was convinced and determined. Determined to try it! I nearly walked all the way across Paris, ignoring several other wine bars or bistros that were popping up on my way there. When I finally arrived all three tables were taken. What a disappointment! I think the owner noticed my frustration and he politely asked some of his clients if they were willing to share the table with us. 'Yea, sure, no problem' I overheard.
That was enough to put a smile on my face. Next thing I remember is me checking their tiny snacks menu while my husband was choosing the wine. It was a tough choice. There were so many bottles – mainly from independent wine makers or artisans that I would love to taste. But somehow, he always manages to find the one I am going to like - I call this love...don't you? Indeed, the wine was great!
'You have a real passion for wines' I said to the owner while finishing my first glass of a Bourgogne Cote d'Or Chardonnay. He smiled. 'Of course,' he answered. His English was perfect but with a proper French accent. 'Wine is one of the top three pleasures in life'. I was curious to discover the other two. 'The second one...you know...' he said with a cheeky smile. ‘The third one is travelling'. He had a point, I thought while he was walking away.
I took another sip of wine while looking at my husband. 'You know...most probably I have lived half of my life now. So, I have started enjoying the simple stuff, the little things' my husband said while filling up my wine glass. This simple realisation almost brought tears in my eyes.
I quickly ate a bite of Fleur du Maquis - an extremely tasty cheese from Corsica - in an effort to hide my tears and forget all about it. And although I might not want to accept it, he had a point. It is indeed the everyday little pleasures that matter. It is how and above all with whom we choose to spend our days. The cheerful laughter of a tipsy group of friends sitting on my left interrupted my thoughts. They were about to open another bottle of wine, and they were visibly very happy about it.
And while I was sitting there, in a Parisian street, in the heart of the 16th arrondissement, breathing some proper French air, eating some yummy saucisson and sipping some yummy French wine, I looked up in the sky. I realised what a beautiful Parisian evening it was. And I was glad I had spent it at Cave de Chaillot in the most possible French way.