Going to Le Cave at the Georges V

The Georges V is one of the oldest luxury hotels in Paris, located on Georges V Avenue, just down the street from Louis Vuitton, across from Hermes, and mere blocks from the couture houses like Chanel on Avenue Montaigne.

Now a Four Seasons Hotel, the George V is a popular choice for well-heeled Americans, combining the best of France with top-shelf amenities. We had the rare privilege of attending a wine tasting in Le Cave, one of the most well-stocked cellars in Paris. To get there, we walked through the extensive kitchens of the George V’s Michelin-starred restaurant, just as they were getting ready for the evening service.

Then it was down a couple of flights on the winding, circular staircase to the famed cave where thousands of bottles of wine from all over the world are kept at a perfect temperature by a computer-controlled thermostat. To aid the sommeliers during service, there is an elevator from the kitchen as well.

A lovely spread of charcuterie had been laid out for us to accompany the excellent blanc-de-blanc we tasted, and one of the hotel’s top sommeliers showed us around the cellar. Wines are numbered and grouped by region to make them easier to locate.

This was a rare treat, reserved for V.I.P. guests and oenophiles who can arrange a tasting through the hotel’s ambassador or concierge for an unspecified price.
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