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19 June 2010

chez Paul[e] - Montpellier

I meant to post something about this cosy wine bar and brasserie a while ago (I went there four months ago actually), which is found a few minutes walk to the south of Montpellier train station. They have a relatively short yet sweet wine list including a handful of high-profile Languedoc and Roussillon winegrowers; and serve up generous portions  with good-value menus (€16-€18 evenings and less at lunchtime) featuring: e.g. homemade brandade de morue (a kind of salt cod and garlic mash), chunky Toulouse sausages, simple steaks done right and succulent duck in mushroom sauce. Oh, love that Monty Python-esque, pointy hand logo too. Quite a few wines are sold by the glass; we had these two tasty bottles (between four of us, I hasten to add), both recommended and both under €20:
2005 Domaine JM Boillot "les Roques" (Roussanne, Viognier 13%) - unusual white vin de pays from the Pic St-Loup area (north of Montpellier), fairly toasty  yet with nice oxidising hazelnut notes and a touch of buttery roundness; fairly mature and soft now, quite Burgundy in style in fact with attractive mature toasty nutty profile.
2008 Domaine Rimbert "les Travers de Marceau (Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault, Mourvèdre 12.5%) - from this well-known estate in the Saint-Chinian appellation: lovely floral spicy aromas with earthy edges; juicy ripe black cherries, quite soft and tasty vs a touch of grip then attractive fairly easy finish.
12 Rue du Pont de Lattes, 34000 Montpellier. Tel: 04 67 68 31 72 / chezpaule.fr
N.B. Chez Paul(e) is operating from different premises during the summer: see Louise's comment below.

3 comments:

  1. Hi Richard, I'm a big fan of Chez Paul(e), too: however, in summer they switch to different premises where they can have chairs and tables outside, so right now Chez Paul(e) on rue du Pont de Lattes is closed until September 2. Instead, you can find the same welcome at L'Annex(e), near the Eglise St Roch.

    Chez Paul[e] ferme ses portes aujourd'hui jusqu'au 02 septembre.
    Retrouvez-nous à L'Annex[e] - 18, rue du petit saint jean (quartier de l'église st roch), notre terrasse ombragée, pour une cuisine simple et conviviale, comme toujours...

    Louise Hurren

    ReplyDelete
  2. les Travers de Marceau is an excellent restaurant lunch wine - not the usual 14% alcohol and goes well with a range of dishes.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks Louise and Graham for pitching in!

    ReplyDelete

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Header image: Château de Flandry, Limoux, Languedoc. Background: Vineyard near Terrats in Les Aspres, Roussillon.