Tucked around the corner from the resplendently stodgy brasseries of Montparnasse is Frédéric Belcamp’s miniscule wine shop and wine bar La Quincave, a destination for natural wine afficionados since 2003 (and featured in the 100th episode of Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations). Belcamp’s long support of more-than-organic, low-sulfur wine is apparent in La Quincave’s 200+ references, which include the occasional back-vintage as well as healthy allocations of certain sought-after selections. The man himself tends to hold court on Fridays and Saturdays; on other evenings his capable staff serve up simple platters of cheeses, rillettes, and cured sausage to the consistent crowd of low-key regulars.
La Quincave’s general template – 7€ corkage, simple snacks, natural wines – may have since become familiar to residents of the 10th, 11th, and 12th arrondissements, where caves-à-manger are as common hairdressers. But few newcomers have managed to replicate La Quincave’s frank, stylish ambience or the wisdom of Belcamp’s wine selections.
Practical information
Address: 17 rue Bréa, 75006
Nearest transport: Vavin (4)
Hours: Closed Monday
Telephone: 08 67 02 80 14
Facebook
Photo via La Quincave’s Facebook page
Reviews of Interest
The Guardian (2015) “The Quincave may be one of the few wine cellars that does not serve by the glass, but with bottles starting at €9 and a plate of saucisson from Ardèche, Cantal cheese or rustic terrine costing €5, it is no surprise that this cosy locale is packed most nights. Customers perch on bar stools made from barrel staves and garrulous owner Fred Belkamp is a mine of information as he has personally tracked down most of the makers of the couple of hundred wines he stocks.”
Wine Terroirs (2014) “Quincave is a gem of a caviste/wine bar lost on the very conventional 14th arrondissement. It’s like it had been put there to remind us that there has been a time when Montparnasse was an easygoing place where artists could let themselves go and enjoy a laidback lifestyle.”
Emmanuel Delmas (2009) “Ouvrez les portes de ce petit cellier qui propose une sélection de vins vrais, authentiques, élaborés par des vignerons dans le même état d’esprit, de cette cave, tonique, fougueuse et audacieuse.”