Salon des Vignerons Independent in Paris

Could be fun! But be warned: we went to something like this and you have to be prepared to be quite assertive to get near some of the stands. Sharpen your elbows...!

If it's at the Porte de Versailles, I can recommend some good restaurants near there if needed.

Bianca_P -- Interesting point (so to speak)-- thanks! Might be best if we went on Friday or Monday rather than on the weekend.

This one is being held at Porte de Champerret.

Ah OK - I know this area too in fact (used to work right next to it!). If you take the metro (line 3) just one stop along from Porte de Champerret to Pereire, there are loads of traditional cafés there that are all good choices of places to eat

It's a very good show. I'd recommend going during the day on Friday, as it will be much less crowded then.

The stands are not arranged by region, on purpose, to encourage people to taste all sorts of wine.

Thanks for posting this. We will be in Paris that weekend and might check it out.

Bianca-P -- Thanks so much for the restaurant idea -- that must be the Metro stop Periere-Levallois, right? (got my map out already!)

And Louie-Li, I really appreciate the info and the recommendation to go on Friday. I guess since the stands are not arranged by region that helps to spread out the crowd as well.

I think this will make for a special (and unusual) day out -- can't wait!

To follow up, we attended this event, and it was terrific. So good, in fact, that we went back a second time. Our first visit was early on Friday which was a good idea since it was getting quite full when we left. When we returned on Monday, it was less crowded, but some of the vintners were running out of wine.

The entrance fee was 6 euros and came with a tasting glass. However, we were so lucky because we met a man on the walk over from the Metro who gave us free tickets! And we got in free on Monday as well (I guess our freebie covered the whole weekend -- or on the last day they just waved us through.)

Anyway, my husband, who is a hobby winemaker himself, went crazy. This place was like wine heaven. Hundreds of vintners pouring at row after row of tasting stands. The Salon wisely mixes up the regions, so the crowd is evenly distributed (not just in the Bordeaux aisle for example), and this gives lesser known regions a fighting chance.

It was great to talk to actual proprietaires about their product, and such a treat to be able to taste the wine before buying it. (As you would expect the wine is a mixed bag -- most were quite good, some outstanding, and a few totally forgettable.)

It was all fun with no pressure to buy. And the prices were good with most wines under 30 euros and many under 15. A wonderful experience that I highly recommend to all winelovers (my husband wants to come back next year!)

BTW, while we were limited to what we could carry in our backpacks, most French people arrived with wheeled "chariots" to roll their cases home. We also saw some clever tourists with wheeled luggage stocking up. Also, they sell sandwiches right in the salon and incredible chocolate that we wish we had bought more of.