Paris on a Budget: 5 Bottles That Won't Break the Bank

by Sarah Jagiela on Jul 9, 2012 in Culture
Paris on a Budget: 5 Bottles That Won't Break the Bank

On any visit abroad, tasting the food and drink is a close second to touring the sights, as far as requisite activities go — sampling the local spread while traveling is one of the best parts of the experience. On a recent trip to Paris, I made a game out of sampling the most inexpensive beers and wines I could find. Unlike in my home state of Pennsylvania, beer, wine and liquor are all fairly cheap and are readily available in grocery stores. This is where I found my bargains; while booze is not pricey bought off the shelf, drinks at restaurants and bars around the city — even on special at happy hour — were more than €6 (around $7.50) each. Below are five of the wine and beer bottles to seek out if you’re looking to go Parisian without emptying your wallet.

Les Petites Caves Côtes Du Rhône: As the absolute cheapest alcohol I could find — €1.39 ($1.75) per 750-ml. bottle — this wine is surprisingly good. It paired well with Camembert and crackers, and while it probably would not impress an experienced connoisseur, this full red is perfect for a picnic by the Seine.

 

 



Cellier des Dauphins Côtes Du Rhône: Slightly more pricey, this wine also hails from the southeast of France. Coming in at more than twice the price at €3.71 ($4.60) per bottle, this wine doesn’t offer much more than its cheaper counterpart above. It is not bad, though, and is another dry red that would go nicely with most meats and cheeses.

 

 


Grand Vins De Bourgogne Pouilly Fuissé: Nowhere near as cheap as the other drinks I tried, this white wine is definitely worth the euros. Coming in at a whopping €13.00 ($16.10), it was easy to see why the other wines were priced so low. Each sip was delicate and smooth, with almost no bitterness at all.

 

 

 


Pelforth Brune: This French brewery, owned by Heineken, makes a blonde, a brown and an amber ale. The brown had the most personality of the bunch, and for only €4.31 ($5.35) per six pack, it was hard to resist. With a nice deep-brown color, the brew has a full, hoppy taste and a hint of nuttiness. Overall, this 6.5% ABV beer is pleasant and a value-leader, even if it wouldn’t be my ideal mid-summer draft.

 

 


Leffe Blonde: This golden blonde ale is a better fit for the season. Light and citrusy, it’s easy to drink, and at €4.80 ($5.95) per six pack, it’s easy on the wallet, too. This 6.6% ABV beer is perfect for sitting in the window and watching Parisians pass by — the least expensive sight-seeing of them all.

 

 

 

Top photo via Flickr user Guillaume Cattiaux

Recent Articles
spacer

Feedback

How are we doing? Tell us what you like or don't like and how we can improve. We would love to hear your thoughts!

*Name:
*E-mail:
*Suggestions:
 
Beer Review: Ballantine India Pale Ale

Beer Review: Ballantine India Pale Ale

Arguably the first truly American expression of the India Pale Ale style, Ballantine's legendary IPA is back for the first time in decades ...read more ›

by Collin Keefe Oct 13, 2014
Apocalypse Watch: The U.S. Tested Effects of Atomic Bombs on Beer

Apocalypse Watch: The U.S. Tested Effects of Atomic Bombs on Beer

Tests were carried out at the Nevada Test Site in 1955, exposing bottled and canned brew to nuclear blasts....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Sep 21, 2012
Dogfish Head, Victory, Stone Brewers Host Google Hangout, July 26

Dogfish Head, Victory, Stone Brewers Host Google Hangout, July 26

Want to kick back with some of the biggest stars of American craft beer?...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jul 23, 2012
SPONSORED
New Brewery To Open In Old Gotham

New Brewery To Open In Old Gotham

The owner of Gotham Brewing Co. announced yesterday that they would open their doors within the month...read more ›

by Drink Gotham Jul 19, 2012
Wayne Enterprises Black Tie Ball, August 15

Wayne Enterprises Black Tie Ball, August 15

Get out your swankiest duds and get ready to enjoy the best canapes and Champagne available this side of Robinson Park - all in the name of charity...read more ›

by Drink Gotham Jul 19, 2012
Mayor Garcia Proposes Alcohol Tax Increase

Mayor Garcia Proposes Alcohol Tax Increase

Your daily tipple may be about to get tougher to swallow. In response to the rising crime rate, and general disarray of municipal services, Mayor Anth...read more ›

by Drink Gotham Jul 19, 2012
Gotham City Police Department Host Fundraiser in Wayne Botanical Garden, July 28

Gotham City Police Department Host Fundraiser in Wayne Botanical Garden, July 28

Gotham City's finest will be hosting a fundraiser on the beautiful grounds of the Wayne Botanical Garden...read more ›

by Drink Gotham Jul 18, 2012
Insider's Guide to New Orleans: A Master Class in Alco-Tourism

Insider's Guide to New Orleans: A Master Class in Alco-Tourism

How to spend weekend in NOLA like a pro (or at least at grad student level)....read more ›

by Felicia D'Ambrosio Jul 17, 2012
Beer Review: Yards Saison

Beer Review: Yards Saison

The Philadelphia brewery has created a citrusy-sweet version of this rustic traditional beer....read more ›

by Mike Lorenz Jul 16, 2012
New Drink for Summer: Czech Sangria

New Drink for Summer: Czech Sangria

Ever wondered what to do with a surplus of boozy fruit and a six pack of beer?...read more ›

by Luke Fleisch Jul 15, 2012
SPONSORED
View all Articles

Sign up to get weekly drinking news, bar reviews, events and more sent directly to your inbox!

Close