After spending 25 years renovating houses in Nantes, Laurent Tarris finally returned to his hometown of Agen under a lucky star. Since then, he’s opened up La Naine Rouge, a discreet and delightful wine shop with a bottle-green facade, zero signage, a handful of barstools and neatly lined-up bottles of wine organized by color (all four of them, to be precise). As a natural wine enthusiast, he showcases nectars that are hard to come by in the region: Fuelha, a ruby-red Cahors by Danis dans la Vigne (€12); a Carignan that almost feels like a rosé from the Domaine Calimas (€16.50); Clin d’Œil, an Alsatian white blend from Les Vignes du Vingabond (€20); and a Haut-Médoc red from La Closerie des Moussis (€25). Plus a few labels from the other side of the Pyrenees, and a beautiful selections of gins and liqueurs from all over. It can all be savored in house for a €7 corkage fee in addition to the bottle price (or by the glass from €3.50 to €4.50), alongside well-made platters of Bigorre ham, Saint-Nectaire cheese and German Cambozola (a cross between brie and gorgonzola). You’re sure to leave in high spirits!
THE BULLET-PROOF BOTTLE: El Angel from the Domaine Pechpeyrou, a glowing grenache from Banyuls (€16). “It tastes just like jam,” says the owner!
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