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SUMMER 2002 |
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SUMMER 2002 |
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The Little Shop That Could Story and photos by Paul D Trier, ? 2002 Paul D Trier, all rights reserved, use by permission only It's been two years since I first stumbled upon the little wine shop in Paris' Latin Quarter with the friendly American saleswoman and the fantastic selection of small-batch Loire and Southern French wines. This time, it's raining heavily and when I find it, I'm just as glad to get out of the downpour as I am to see Patty still working inside. She greets me with a friendly "hello" while in the middle of giving out wine advice to two other customers. Easily and happily attending to everyone at the same time. And that doesn't surprise me at all. The shop, La Derniere Goutte, has become quite popular, especially with Americans seeking the friendly atmosphere and top-notch offerings at moderate prices. The service is probably the number one reason. All you have to do is give Patty a price range and wine type and she will select six or twelve bottles that fill up a cargo box for you to take conveniently home with you. Simple, easy and worry-free. So when I say, Rhone-Styled wines in the 10-15 dollar range, Patty begins making selections and even remembers, with a little help, what it was I ordered the first time. We agree that I should take the Cotes-de-Provence again, and I suggest an encore of the Savennieres from the Loire (the only white-non-Rhone on my list). Patty enthusiastically adds four new choices to the box; a Cabardes, a Cotes du Roussillon, a St. Joseph and a Vacqueyras, assuring me that these are her latest prime picks (based on her last selections, I trust her entirely). When all is said and done, I spend only $54, packing included, and am ready to fly back to the US with my wines securely tucked inside a travel-proof cargo container. Then, I go off to enjoy Paris in the rain. Which is very much possible with so many great restaurants and sights nearby. One week later I am home, enjoying my wines and proudly realizing that four of the wines cannot even be found in the US, and the two that can cost three times as much as they do in France. That's bargain shopping for you. Of course you have to go to Paris first, but I'm not complaining about that. Next, you simply have to find the little shop on Rue de Bourbon le Chateau. Leave the rest up to Patty.
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Friendly
service and a can-do attitude. La Derniere Goutte in the Latin Quarter.