NICE WINE

WINE BARS, WINE SHOPS

I appreciate a good glass of wine, preferably red or with bubbles.
But here in the south of France, I also very much enjoy the roséwine.
Sometimes it’s also nice to have a drink or a glass of beer
Here I will share nice bars, wine shops and vineyards in the area.
The classification is based on the atmosphere and price.

very nice

nice

nice but…

Vineyards

Château de Crémat at the Bellet hill is a beautiful castle and winery. The winery is 12 ha and they are producing white and red AOP Bellet . They are also commercialising rose wine from Domaine de Toasc.

The castle was built in 1906 and renovated in 2017 by the actual owner. The furniture comes from Ritz hotel in Paris and together with a modern interior it creates an interesting ambiance.

It’s possible to make a visit including a wine tasting for 30 euros.

Domaine Rabiega is an organic Vineyard, Boutique hotel and Restaurant.

The vineyard is 12 hectares and produces organic red, white and rosé wine.

In the newly renovated hotel there are 26 nicely decorated rooms.

The bistrot serves delicious food and changes its menu with the seasons.

99 acres of Côtes de Provence AOC and IGP in a very cosy and welcoming ambiance producing five organic wines: three rosés with different personalities, a white and a red.
Besides wine activities they also produce organic and fresh goat cheese, homemade bread, and vegetables from the garden are served in the restaurant. It’s possible to stay overnight at the guest rooms.

The Chateau de Berne wine estate is at 1:30 by car from Nice in Provence’s hinterland. 690 hectare of nature whereof 143 covered with vines.
The restaurant “Le Bistrot ” serves very good and priceworthy food. The price of the wine is at the higher end but it’s possible to find special offers in the shop (I bought rose wine for 6,50/bottle).
The square bottle is their recognition.

Domaine Rabiega is an organic Vineyard, Boutique hotel and Restaurant.

The vineyard is 12 hectares and produces organic red, white and rosé wine.

In the newly renovated hotel there are 26 nicely decorated rooms.

The bistrot serves delicious food and changes its menu with the seasons.

This domain is situated north of Bandol.
Lucie Tempier and Lucien Peyraud settled at Domaine Tempier in 1940 and it’s still in the family and one of the top Bandol producers today. A majority of the wine is exported and most of the vintages are sold out. We were warmly welcomed and we got an interesting explanation about the strict Bandol protocol. Prices are affordable to expensive.

Château d’Esclans is a wonderful wineyard
Since 2006, the owner Sacha Lichine has been developing the world’s best rosé wine. In 2019, the French luxury group LVMH, acquired 55% and this collaboration facilitated the international development of the wine .
They have bought Domaine du Jas d’Esclans wich will not commercialise any wine under their own name anymore.
The most well-known is “Whispering angel”. It’s a very tasty wine perfect as aperitif or with seafood.

The brand Christian Senez was founded by Christian and his wife in 1973. 20 years ago, they passed the management to their daughter and son in law and moved to the south of France.
It’s possible to pay a visit and taste the champagne at their sunny terrace.
They have a stock in the cellar so it’s just to load the car and take it home.

The Château du Rouët is situated at the foot of Estérel mountains. It’s a charming estate since five generations.
They produce red, rosé and white “A.O.P. Côtes de Provence” wines, in the production area of the “Terroir de Fréjus”.

I bought the Belle Poule which is part of their own wine range.
And Teres rose, a cheaper aperitif wine that is produced in partnership with winemakers and branded “Le Rouët”.

A family property since 1958, but the family created their own brand, Domaine de la Rainette in 2000.
I bought Origines Rosé, a nice aperitif wine for 7 euros.
And Grande Reserve (Syrah, Mourvedre), a very nice everyday red wine for 9.90 euros. It has an expressive and powerful taste after 12 months in an oak barrel.

A bit off the road, after passing by the mediaeval village of Les Arcs sur Argens you’ll visit Château Clarettes.
This domain of only 13 hectares was bought in 2011 by two Finns and a Swede. They are very active in developing the domain. It’s small but very nice and friendly. I recommend the red wine Grande Cuveé 2016.

This family business is situated on the Bellet hill in Nice. They are always happy to make you taste the wine and tell the family story. They are producing white, red and roséwine and have recently also made a white sparkling wine called “Nice bulles” which has a quality close to champagne.

Château des Demoiselles is a small, nice and friendly winery of 72 hectares. 80% of the production is rosé and it’s classified as “Sustainable winemaker”. The harvest takes place during the night to preserve the freshness, and produces the popular fresh rose wines.
It is a very simple place, but the lady who was doing the tasting was very nice and professional.
A nice address with nice wine for reasonable prices.

Domaine de la Navicelle is located east of Toulon and owned by the Kamprad family.
The vineyard represents 21 hectares of Côte de Provence appellation and the wine is certified biological.
It’s possible to make a wine tasting of its entire range of wines. No need for booking.
The prices are reasonable.
The domain also offers accommodation and a pool to spend some calm and relaxing days.

Domaine de Fregate is an AOC Bandol. The vines are situated around the Golf de la Frégate. And the Cave is very close to the golf.

Domaine de Fregate is also the name of their red wine from Mourvedre grapes which represents 40 % of the production.

Fregalon is a simple rose wine, ideal as an aperitif

Vignoble Rasse is a very old vineyard situated 40 min by car from Nice at the foot of BAOU de Saint-Jeannet. Denis Rasse and his family is cultivating this winery of 2 ha and produce 9 different wines, rose, white and red from 17 different grape varieties. They get about 10000 bottles, only sold at place for 11-20 euros. Their particularity is the “wine tuile”. This wine is stored for one year in big glass bottles in the sun on the terrasse which gives it a particular taste.

It’s possible to visit the vineyard and organise tasting activities Monday to Saturday 9-19h30 just by sending a message in advance.

This is the most famous of the Bellet wines. It can be found in many restaurants in Nice. It is possible to make wine tasting in the shop situated in the old chapel. It is free if you buy something. They also offer guided tours in the winery, a walk in the vineyards including wine tasting for 20 euros. The place is nice but I think the wine is too expensive for what it is.

A nice Family estate for +70 years.
They do a Côtes de Provence Fréjus, a special appellation from the Esterel massif. They have the Certification “Biological agriculture”.
Very nice lady served us outside in the sun.
I bought the Roches Noire 2021 that should be stored some years to mature for 14.80 euros

Long time family owned estate of 20 ha.
Produces wines of character through long-established verification processes.
Cuvee de la Vignes haute (Cincault, Shiraz, Carignan) is a little fruity, can be stored up to 5 years but will not change much. 17 euros.
Cuvee de la Muraille (Shiraz, Grenache) has a more powerful taste. Can be stored up to 10 years but the 2021 was absolutely good to drink now. 13.50 euros.

Chateau Sainte Roseline is one of the first estates in Provence to invest a lot in wine tourism. It’s a Cru classe estate of 110 hectares.
This place is very commercial and toursity, but beautiful and very well organised.
At the entrance stand a big sculpture by Jaume Plensa
They are famous for their original bottles Lampes de Meduse.

Château de Pibarnon is nicely situated at 300 m altitude and has a spectacular view over the vineyards and the sea. This is a Family estate created in 1978 by Henri de Saint-Victor and managed by his son Éric since 2000.
The wine tasting takes place in the cellar and you have to book in advance. The wine is expensive.

This is a small family estate of only 15 ha: It’s a modest producer with an estate that resembles more like a typical farm than a grand wine estate. Nevertheless, the family is very kind, the house is charming and the wine is good.
They have a very nice Bandol red 2018 for only 17 euros that is recommended to keep for 10-15 years but I think it is absolutely ok to drink now. Very good value for money.

Vincent Dauby has planted 8000 m2 with his own hands and makes the wine himself in the cellar of the newly built house and launched the first wine in 2017. The exploitation is organically certified. His wife Celine is also involved in the business and is taking care of the selling of the wine, mainly to professionals in Nice. The wine is still young and fresh and needs to mature for 3-4 years.

(Wine) Bars

The hotel reopened in December 2022 after 4 years of renovation work. You feel like you are in another world as soon as you enter the doors.

The rooftop bar is very nice with a fabulous view from the terrasse.
The bartenders are nice and friendly and it’s an entertainment to see them work. There is a disc jockey playing nice music.
Prices are at the higher end.

Very local family owned, small wine bar. Local wines can be tasted by glass and some local food can be served. A small terrasse outside with wine barrels as table.

Jean-Philippe took over from his father in 2001 and his wife and daughters are also working in the bar or serving the tables. The atmosphere is friendly and easy going.

This rooftop bar has an amazing view over the entrance to the port and the Angels Bay.
The sunset is absolutely stunning. There is a cosy atmosphere with big comfortable sofas,.
They serve wines & cocktails, and some tapas kind of food.
The prices are expensive.

The Restaurant La Reserve is a mythic address for fine dining.

A newly opened restaurant dominated by a large bar where they serve nice wine and delicious cocktails.
The ambiance is friendly in an international style.

This is an Italian bar and restaurant with a big choice of coffee and pastries.

It’s very nice to take an Italian Aperitivo there. They make nice drinks and serve a plate with plenty of good snacks. Very nice ambiance and staff.

Movida serves wine, beer and cocktails as well as some tapas.

They have two nice terrasses whereof on is on the first floor where you have a great view over the beach and the sea.
On sunny days you are lucky if you find a free seat.

Berco is a new, different wine bar in the old city.

They have a large choice of wine and the owner also makes good recommendations. They also serve some tapas to share.

The decoration is nice, it’s crowded and the ambiance is good.

Nice place in Vieux Nice. The inside is very small, but mostly it’s possible to sit outside along the street.
There is a nice and easy atmosphere, a big choice of drinks and possibility to order a ham or cheese platter.

Charming pub in Riquier with a small stage for performance.
Possibility to buy a ham or cheese platter.

A cosy bar owned by a Swede. Henrik is very nice and helpful.
Some of the drinks and the plates he’s serving are also inspired by Sweden.
The ambiance is cosy and the guests are mostly local regulars.

Nice spot for people watching at Place la Prefecture.

It’s not only a bar, they also serve simple food from breakfast to dinner. It’s part of the Armand group who owns several good restaurants in Vieux Nice.

It’s nice to take a cocktail or a glass of champagne in the Bar Negresco in the evening. Sometimes there is live jazz live music, sometimes a DJ.

The decoration is original with dark wood and very old tapestry.

But that happens just a few times a year because it is very expensive.

This Restaurant/Bar is serving tapas and cocktails with live salsa music.
The guests often go up and dance.

A bar in Nice Old Town with live jazz music at the end of the evening.

La Cave Romagnan is one of the oldest wine bars in Nice. On Saturday evenings there is live jazz music.
Manu, the owner of the bar, is serving Cote de Provence; red, rose or white for 4 euros. There is always a great ambiance.

A bar in Nice Old Town with live jazz music at the end of the evening.

It’s nice to take a cocktail or a glass of champagne in the Bar Negresco in the evening. Sometimes there is live jazz live music, sometimes a DJ.

The decoration is original with dark wood and very old tapestry.

But that happens just a few times a year because it is very expensive.

Wine Shops

A small shop with a friendly atmosphere. Varshe is always in a good mood and makes very good recommendations on what to drink with your meal or offer as a gift.

She is regularly organising wine tasting events in the shop.

The brand Christian Senez was founded by Christian and his wife in 1973. 20 years ago, they passed the management to their daughter and son in law and moved to the south of France. It’s possible to pay a visit and taste the champagne at their sunny terrace. They have a stock in the cellar so it’s just to load the car and take it home.

The oldest cellar in the region, since 1860. Specialised in Provence and Rhone regions. Great wine tastings in smaller groups with the sommelier Laurent taking place in the old cellar for 30 euros. Laurent is telling the wine history in a very interesting way.

This place is a wine shop and a wine bar at the same time. The cellar has more than 300 references of wine and is well known for its choice of organic and biodynamic wines. The Wine Bar serves wine by glass and plates of selected dry meats and cheeses. It was selected the best wine cellar in France in 2020 by the magazine “Vin de France”. I thought it was a little too big and impersonal.

It’s nice to take a cocktail or a glass of champagne in the Bar Negresco in the evening. Sometimes there is live jazz live music, sometimes a DJ.

The decoration is original with dark wood and very old tapestry.

But that happens just a few times a year because it is very expensive.

Piemonte wine
This region in the northwestern corner of Italy is only about 3 hours by car from Nice. The best-known wines include Barolo and Barbaresco. They are made from the Nebbiolo grape. These wines are ideal for storage.

Barbaresco is produced east of Alba. Wines from this area tend to be relatively light in color and body, but very well structured and aromatic.

The Enoteca Regionale in Barbaresco is situated in an old church in the middle of the village.

Barolo is an important wine-producing area noted for its Barolo wine. The Barolo wines have many similarities with Bourgogne wines.
The best way to taste Barolo wines is to visit the local Enoteca where you get a glass for 3 euros and then you can walk around and taste the different wines.

Barbera d’Asti is a red wine made from the Barbera grape. It is produced in the hilly areas of the provinces of Asti.
Under the DOCG rules, a minimum of 90% Barbera grapes must be used.The wine must be made before the date of 1 March immediately following the harvest, and must reach an alcohol content of 11.5%.

NICE WINE

WINE BARS, WINE SHOPS

Vineyards

(Wine) Bars

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Distilleries Ideales

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Bar de la dégustation

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Wine Shops