Xmas special #3 ... Final Stop Caen !

We hope you had a good time in following us in our wine bar experience out of Bordeaux. Our final stop Caen, the capital of Normandy!

Let’s say Caen is not renowned for its high number of wine bars, in fact less than 5 wine bars are in Caen, but is hidden in these 5 wine bars an incredible place: Le Piano à Vins.

Le Piano à Vins is born of an original idea of its owner Benoit Leneveu. It is in 2008 that he decided to launch a restaurant/wine shop/wine bar: first time in the region! The idea is that a client can come in just to buy a bottle of wine, or he can come in, buy a bottle of wine open it and drink it with some homemade meals. This original place hides over 250 different wines, which makes it the restaurant/wine bar/wine shop with the most references in Caen. 250 different bottles can then be opened and on top of this roughly 10 wines are proposed by the glass: these ones change every week! On the wine-list Champagne, grands crus, wines from all the wine regions of France, Spanish wines, wines from Chili, Argentina and also Calvados!

What surprised us from all the places we went to before was the inside. In fact difference “ambiances” were conceived responding two different targets: 

- traditional tables for families
- tables for two for couples
- high-stools in front of the bar for people coming alone and wiling to talk with the owner and chef that are on the other side
- a special table in the corner of the room with sofas for those coming for the “aperitif”

We then decided to “grab a bottle in the wine shop” and went to the sofas to open it: 

Château Dubois Challon “Fleur Amandine”, Bordeaux white, 2009 (11.90€). In fact we decided to open a bottle from Bordeaux but only because the story behind it is original: this Bordeaux white wine is very particular by its fermentation and barrel ageing. Unlike many Bordeaux wines this wine is part fermented and aged in American oak barrels!

The color of this wine is light yellow the tints are silver. The nose is aromatic with vanilla and coconut aromas (due to American oak) such as white flowers, almonds, white peach and wood. This wine is very fine. To the mouth the attack is fresh, the wine has texture and a great balance. The same aromas of the nose are found in the mouth. An incredible wine very different thanks to the barrel ageing in American oak! To be tasted!

As the owner has a past as a sommelier, he is the perfect person to help you pair your wine with his homemade food. On the menu tapas, main dishes, appetizers, cheese and desserts: all home made… His suggestion with this wine: goat cheese, tuna kebab, salmon cooked with almonds, filet mignon cooked with cream (very nomand :p) and tarte tatin. The prices of the tapas are roughly 10€, 15€ for a main dish, 7€ for deserts and appetizers. Wine bottles start at 5€. 

And where is the Piano with all of this? Well twice a month a band comes in to play: jazz bands, piano players etc! Reserve before!  

To sum: very unique place in the heart of Caen. Large choice of wines starting at 5€ a bottle. Very good homemade food perfect to pair with the wines. Good advice. Great place for appetizers, lunch and dinner. Twice a month bands come to play. With all of this why wouldn’t you step inside the Piano?

Location: 11 rue de Courtonne 14 000 Caen

Concept: wine bar, wine shop, restaurant

Budget: 30€

Opening Hours: 

Tuesday to Saturday: 12pm to 3pm and 8pm to 11pm

Telephone number: 02 31 44 85 22

Special services: wine by the glass, tapas, concerts, wine shop

Web site: www.lepianoavin.com