A Socially Responsible Wine Shop in Paris: Les Petits Domaines

Isabelle Larenaudie of Les Petits Domaines is a true woman of wine—moreover, she loves supporting other passionate females shifting the historically male-dominated realm of fine wine and spirits. But you don’t have to be a woman to appreciate the in-house selection or hospitality here.

An ambassador for women who make wine and also for small, ethical producers, Isabelle is eager to educate you on socially responsible vignerons from France’s treasured wine regions.

“I love to cook … and generally, we associate the two [wine and food] … I wanted to showcase something different in this classic neighborhood [7th arrondissement].”

A curious bon vivant, Isabelle studied sensory tasting at l’Université du Vin in the South of France, where she realized how lucky we are to live in France with such an exceptional terroir.

Catherine Caldwell

In her cozy shop, she estimated to store 400 or 500 wine references: organized by region and color. And she can tell you the story of each one of the producers. Inspired by terroir, but moreover, by impassioned individuals, values are rooted deep within this curated collection. Pride for authenticity and methodology further characterize the selection. Isabelle’s wine is purely, and quintessentially French: from Alsace to the Sud-Ouest. In addition to wine, she houses whisky, rum, gin, and vodka; cognac, calvados, eaux-de-vies, and apéritifs can also be found.

During a recent visit, she chose wine for a family’s roast chicken dinner: unveiling two rosés from the refrigerator, as if they were there waiting for them. No stranger to good food and drink, Isabelle will happily pair your bottle with pâté and other artisanal goodies. For me, she selected Pétale de Rose: a hand-harvested cuvée as delicate as the flower for which it is named. This elegant, feminine bottle from Provence’s Château de la Tour de l’Évêque makes an ideal picnic or seafood companion.

Catherine Caldwell/Les Petits Domaines

Another regular purchased “Antisocial,” a wine he discovered at Isabelle’s weekly, themed dégustations, held Saturdays between 10h and 20h. In fact, Isabelle occasionally hosts winemakers, inviting them to connect with clients during special tastings. I, for example, had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Aurore Casanova, a former dancer turned Champagne maker, who crafts beautiful bottles of rosé and Brut bubbly.

And for fromage lovers, Isabelle is a French paradox. She shatters the “traditionalist” belief that cheese must be paired with red wine in hosting a white flight night with cheese pairings (which will take place the 18^th of June; enroll via phone, or send an email to [email protected]).

For your next dinner party, picnic, or Paris living needs, Isabelle is your gal. And for those on the go, follow Isabelle’s regular recommendations via the shop’s social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Les Petits Domaines – 208 rue de Grenelle, 75007. +33 (0)1 74 30 38 16. Open Monday 4-8pm, Tuesday-Friday 11am-2pm & 3-8pm, Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday 10am-1pm. Métro: École-Militaire (ligne 8). 

Related Links

• For natural wine lovers, check out this list of natural wine bars and restaurants.
• Looking for something a bit different? Try Aux Deux Cygnes.
• For the top 10 wine bars in Paris, head over to The Culture Trip.

Written by Catherine Caldwell for HiP Paris. Photos courtesy of Les Petits Domaines except where noted. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, London, Provence, Tuscany, Umbria or Liguria? Check out Haven In.