The most authentic wine bar, without a doubt, is Cave de la Tour, family-run for over 70 years, and catering to a mostly local clientele.  They speak no English, close promptly at 7pm, take only cash and have no wifi …but if you bring in your empties they will fill them with house wine from the casks while the house cat rubs against your legs.  Enjoy a coup de rouge at the little wine bar or sit at one of the wine cask table, where you can also have a little home cooked lunch.  In fact, things haven’t really changed much here in 70 years.  3 rue de la Tour in Old Nice, tram stop Cathedrale. La Petite Loge is a very hip wine bar specializing in small independent winemakers with bottles that you won’t find anywhere else.  Run by husband/wife team Jeremy (half English, half French) and Lauriane, their clientele includes sommeliers and other restaurant owners that come by after work for their unique offerings and extensive knowledge: 340 different wines and an ever-changing chalkboard of wines by the glass, complimented by platters of meats, cheeses, homemade pates, and a fried camembert with onion confit.  

La Petite Loge can be found up a tiny side street in the Old town just up from Place Centrale, 10 rue de la Loge (tram stop Cathedrale).best wine bars bath The venerable Cave Bianchi is a 150-year-old family wine shop, but in the middle is a round tasting bar where you can order selected wines by the glass.  what port wine to buyBut best of all, on Wednesdays and Fridays at 6pm they offer a comparative wine tasting with a sommelier/wine maker in English for 18€ per person.  top 100 wine chinaReservations are a must: call 04 93 85 65 79, or stop by at 7 rue Raoul Bosio, near the Opera.red house beer and wine shop

One of my absolute favorites, O’Quotidien is between the Port and Garibaldi.  Set in a small county-style market dotted with cafe tables, you’ll find a wall of casks filled with organic Italian wines  …ready to fill your empty bottles!  best light italian red wineBut of course you need to try before you buy, hence the adorable little wine bar hooked up directly to the casks, where you can taste and try to your heart’s content.  best company to ship wineBut don’t stop at the wine: the tiny Italian kitchen cooks up delectable daily specials, the cappuccinos are amazing, and you can leave with a sack of groceries! 2 rue Martin Seytour (tram stop Garibaldi) Vinivore is an upscale wine-bar located just next door to their highly-esteemed wine- and market-focused restaurant.    The 200 bottles on their list, many available by the glass, are largely organic, and have been carefully chosen for quality/price by sommelier Bonaventure Blankstein, who honed his skills in Paris before resettling in Nice.  

10 rue Lascaris, in the Port, just behind the church (tram stop Garibaldi) Just across the street you’ll find Bibo Vino.  Part of a high-concept eco-friendly France-wide chain that only sells specially selected high-quality organic wines… in boxes!  Sidle up to their convivial wine bar or take a table, and try any of their 27 vintages by the glass starting at just 4€. A menu of accompaniments includes a selection of cheese boards or charcuterie platters.  Vini Mundo is a more traditional-style wine bar with a wide array of carefully chosen wines and cheeseboard-and-charcuterie type fare to compliment their selections.  34 Avenue de la Republique (tram stop Acropolis) La Part des Anges is also all-organic wine shop/wine bar with an impressive selection of bottles to take home or enjoy in their wine bistro ambiance, along with little plates of complementary organic nibbles. 17 rue Gubernatis (tram stop Massena or Opera) Tribeca Wine Bar  Between their edgy art, techno video projections, and house DJ, this is definitely the hippest wine bar in Nice.

1 rue Dalpozzo, behind the Palais de la Méditerranée Back up to Main Drink Page Photo credits: rosé by Jeremy Atkinson, licensed under Creative Commons, Cave de la Tour and Wine Casks by Best of Nice.Nice has a great selection of fine wine bars dedicated to providing the perfect atmosphere for appreciation and exploration of fine wines. Oenophiles in Nice certainly have no problem in finding great wine bars that cater to their needs. Afterall, fine wine is best served in an equally fine setting. Here’s our guide to five of the best wine bars in the city. Cave de la Tour A Vieux Nice institution since 1947, Cave de la Tour is recognized as the specialist in local wines. Almost every wine produced in the Alpes Maritimes can be found on these shelves, along with a healthy selection from neighbouring vineyards in the Var. If you’re after somewhere with an authentic French feel, this is your place – but get in early as doors shut around 8pm. There’s no better spot to catch the afternoon sun, so settle around the tables made from recycled wine barrels, a glass of vino in hand, and watch the world go by!

You may be familiar with their previous incarnation just off Place Garibaldi; however it’s clear they’re more at home in their new location in the heart of the Nice’s rapidly expanding ‘it’ quarter, the Port. What’s more, they’ve just celebrated the opening of their second establishment, a wine bar, next door! Head to Vinivore one, at number 10, if you’re after a meal to match your wine selection and Vinivore two, the newbie, for the pre and/or post dinner apéro. The wine list is ever-evolving, offering a selection of quality wines sourced direct from the producer, reflecting new discoveries from their travels throughout gourmet France. In fact you’ll find the same owners behind… La Part des Anges La Part des Anges, or Angel’s Share in English, is a French term given to the small percentage of alcohol which evaporates from the bottle during the ageing process. It’s a poetic name which fits this charming wine bar perfectly. Situated across from Place Wilson, the focus here is on Natural Wines, (which are chemically free), although treat yourself a little, since a wider selection is available to order by the bottle rather than the glass!

It’s a popular spot so reservations are recommended. First opened in 1904, Cave Wilson is a long standing favourite on the Nice scene and has withstood a variety of owners with a variety of visions. The current owner, Antoine Barussaud, has a passion for great wine and music, preferably combined. Friday and Saturday nights are now popular jazz evenings, whilst weeknights are a more relaxed and cozy affair. The décor is reminiscent of old-school Parisian bistro and the wine selection is a clear labour of love, displaying a particular affinity for the South West of France. Friends living in the Carré d’Or are more than grateful for Cave 35 – finally a chic wine destination closer to home! A fine wine shop-front (conveniently open till late should you require a bottle to take-away) makes way for a sleek bar at the back which wouldn’t feel out of place in the world’s biggest cities, and a welcome addition to any Nice address book. An extensive selection is available to order by the glass, as well as some more special names by the bottle if you’re in the mood for celebrating.