For wine lovers around the globe, a visit to Burgundy promises an unforgettable time – and one of the best places to post up is the small city of Beaune. Located in the heart of the region’s wine-producing epicentre, Beaune provides easy access to countless wineries across Burgundy, as well as a number of vibrant restaurants, wine bars and charming boutiques filled with locally-produced goods.
Between winery visits and bar hopping, you may not have an immediate need to purchase a bottle of wine from a shop – however, grabbing a few special bottles to pack in your suitcase is a surefire way to relive your best Burgundy memories post-visit. Whether looking for loot to bring home or simply curious to discover the city’s local wine shop scene, check out our selection of go-to spots for scoring special bottles – from hidden gems to cellar-worthy collector items.
The best wine shops in Beaune
Avintures
20 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Nicolas, 21200 Beaune
Credit: Avintures
Founded by Thomas Turner just a few years back, Avintures has become the go-to wine shop for small-production, organic/biodynamic wine in Beaune. Turner, a former wine importer who spent five years bringing wine to South East Asia, returned to Burgundy to pursue an agricultural career, followed by a two-year stint at Domaine des Croix. Thomas notes that transparency and honesty are of utmost importance for Avintures, which is why he asks each and every domaine with which he works if they’d like to be featured on the shop’s website. Bottles from producers who wish to not be featured are thus only available in person – meaning a visit to this authentic shop is an absolute must!
Fromagerie Alain Hess
7 Pl. Carnot, 21200 Beaune
Fromagerie Alain Hess is a fixture of Beaune’s scenic Place Carnot, but not everyone realises it also harbours a lovely selection of wines. Hess, originally from the mountainous Haut-Doubs in the Jura, comes from a long line of cheesemakers. His award-winning shop was founded in Beaune in 1988 and moved to his present location in 2005. Although it is principally renowned for its encyclopedic cheese selection and charcuterie, the basement also features a well-chosen array of wines for laying down or current drinking, making Hess a great option for one-stop shopping. Unusually for a Burgundy wine shop, the selection is not limited to the wines of the region but includes wines from elsewhere in France and abroad such as an array from his native Jura and a tempting selection from Beaujolais. Despite the glossy allure of the luxury products on offer, the prices are very fair, making this an essential resource in the centre of town.
Maison Escoffier L’Arrière Boutique
+33 (0)3 80 21 03 38
3 Pl. Carnot, 21200 Beaune
Conveniently situated on Place Carnot, Maison Escoffier L’Arrière Boutique highlights a solid number of local Burgundian winemakers, as well as top estates in other regions of France. The vast majority of wines on the shop’s shelves are crafted from organic, biodynamic and/or sustainably-farmed fruit, with producers ranging from classic collector favorites to natural wine pillars and everywhere in between. Additionally, the shop also offers a selection of cured meats, nuts and other wine accompaniments, making it a one-stop-shop for all of your apéro needs – and be sure to head down to the basement to check out the entirety of the store’s impressive wine collection.
Mes Bourgognes
13 Rue d’Alsace, 21200 Beaune
Situated in the heart of Beaune, Mes Bourgognes is a small-yet-serious shop that highlights over 60 Burgundian estates on its carefully curated shelves. The shop’s offering is put together by Frédéric Henry, a former sommelier with over 30 years of wine industry experience. Henry’s deep ties to the region and close relationships with its top winemakers allow Mes Bourgognes to showcase some of the area’s most exciting domaines, from long-standing collector favourites to up-and-coming new growers….
Source : https://www.decanter.com/wine/best-wine-shops-in-beaune-532329/
