Super Cools

Hip, hip, hurrah! We won’t be dying of thirst as we climb the sleep slope of Cours Julien, now that the aptly-named Céline Cools has opened this utterly relaxing miniature wine shop. The self-taught Nîmes native (who used to work at Flacons) knows how to welcome in naturophile adventurers, with her selection of vinified, brewed and non-alcoholic bottles that leave with you with a practically overwhelming abundance of choice. If you’re in the mood for fermented grape juice for example, there’s a southern skin-contact chenin and chardonnay blend from Les Mercuriales (€22), a flavor-packed Aude carignan produced by Sébastien Agelet (€17), or perhaps a voluptuous pinot noir by Fred Niger outside of Nantes (€39); if you’re craving hops, there’s a battle ragging between the north and the south with the Zoumaï and Effet Papillon (€3.70 to €7.60 for 330 ml) and De Ranke and Beerserk breweries (€3.50 to €4); and for low- and no-ABV options, there’s Hysope tonic (€2.30 for 200 ml), IPA from the Brasserie du Mont Salève (€5.10 for 220 ml) or lessi bitters (€29 for 700 ml). Our take? This is one super cool affair. // Folayemi Abimbola 

THE BULLET-PROOF BOTTLE: L’Arôme, a chardonnay, sauvignon and viognier blend raised sous voile in the Gard department by the Domaine du Bartassou (€17.90).