Sixth experience...La Cantina

As the weather outside was reaching the 0 degrees, we decided to warm up and headed for the Corsica sun and heat! And that is why are way led us to the “A cantina Comptoir Corse” in rue Bahutiers near the famous “Place Camille Julian”. What a great way to travel in another wine region of France that some tend to forget but hides beautiful treasures.

This 100% Corsica place, holds a typical wine bar downstairs and a typical restaurant upstairs.  As we walked inside the wine bar we traveled miles away to one of this Corsica place’s we see on television. Judge by yourself:

The wine card is incredible: 27 red wines, 22 white wines and 8 rosés. The wines are all available by the bottle and 3/4^th are available by the glass: prices from 4€ to 5€ for a generous portion! In all 57 different references from the famous AOC’s: Calvi, Patrimonio, Sartene etc. To fulfill the experience, these wines can be paired with Corsica cheese and Corsica cold cuts for roughly 15€ the plate. The restaurant offers a typical and complete meal (entrée + main dish + deserts) for 27€.

As “Get it up for Love” was playing (Ned Doheny) a band was setting up for the concert of the night: Corsica band of course, just like all the bands that come here once a month. 

Our experience

1. AOC Ajaccio – Clos Capitoro (4,50€) 2010 – red

Very deep ruby color. The nose is toasted with hints of leather. To the mouth the wines tannins are soft, the wine is well balanced and light. Dark fruit aromas are found such as abundant toasted aromas. A little green pepper. Great discovery! Perfect wine for lovers of light wines.

2. AOC Corse Calvi – Domaine Maestracci E prove (5€) 2009 – red

The wines color is also very dark and ruby. Cold tobacco, spices and crystallized dark fruits are found in the nose. The attack is greedy, rich and very tannic. This is the perfect wine for lovers of very tannic wines not too fruity and light.

3. AOC Patrimonio – Domaine Santini (4.50€) 2009 – red

The wines color is very deep, same ruby color as the two other appellations. The nose is fruity while smoky. To the palate the wine is very light and fruity. The wine is a little bitter because young but shows a potential future. Will be perfect in a year or two for lover of fruity wines.

To sum: In a way this wine bar and restaurant is the perfect place to go to taste good wines we don’t usually drink. Moreover the experience is completed with the Corsica food: we highly recommend the cold cuts buy the way…but also the music. Nice place to discover the beautiful region of Corsica and warm up during winter time.

Location: 14 rue de Bahutiers 33000 Bordeaux

Concept: Corsica bar and restaurant

Budget: 20-30€

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 7pm to 1am

Telephone number: 07 87 04 28 97

Special services: Corsica wines and food, Corsica bands

Web site: www.comptoir-corse.fr