OUR STORY
Why French and what Paradox?
It all started with a segment, called 'The French Paradox', on ‘60 Minutes’ in the early 90’s, suggesting that, despite the relatively high fat content diet of the French population, the incidents of heart disease was much lower than that of Americans. The answer was, it seemed...consumption of red wine!
Ok, so that’s never been conclusively proven. But here at the French Paradox, our intent, since we love wine, is to offer great wines from around the world through a ‘French lens’, illustrating and discussing how the French invented the modern wine world and still dominate it. We also hope to sell some wine between conversations.
And yes, paradoxically, we have wines from California...and Oregon, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Austria, Germany, New Zealand…even Virginia. And local and international beers, spirits, ciders and cheese.
So, stop by. Let's talk about wine. French or otherwise.
WHAT WE OFFER
WINE
SPIRITS
BEER
CHEESE & CURED MEATS
OPINIONS
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Recent Opinions and Events
Tasting Notes; American Whiskeys, 12/15/2018
Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Bardstown, KY Regular Price $30.99 Sale price $28.99 This is named for Rev. Elijah Craig, who is credited with being the first distiller to age his whiskey in charred oak barrels. Its very polished, easy to like, smooth and warm; pleasantly woody with accents of spice, smoke, and[…]
My Favorite Wine…this week anyway. Dec. 12, 2018
2016 Arterberry Maresh Old Vines Pinot Noir Dundee Hills, Oregon Regular Price $54.99 Sale Price $43.99 I first visited Oregon in the late 80’s…and was captivated by the burgeoning wine scene; it was open and friendly and passionate, qualities that I felt were no longer in evidence in California. I’d like to tell you that[…]
Tasting notes. Dec. 8, 2018 BIG Wines
2017 Redhawk Pinot Gris Eola-Amity Hills, OR Regular Price $18.99 Sale price $14.99 Oregon Pinot Gris doesn’t (and shouldn’t) taste like Alsatian Pinot Gris or Dolomiti Pinot Grigio. Not as lush as the former and more aromatic than the latter, its its own wine, with pear and citrus. This one also has some grip, due[…]
Tasting notes, Chardonnay, Dec 1, 2018
Let’s be honest…there are a whole lot of people that claim that they absolutely hate Chardonnay and yet secretly drink the living shit out of it. And/or, there exist people that think that Chardonnay is a flavor and since the flavor of the one Chardonnays that they tasted didn’t appeal to them, they’ve turned to[…]
2008 Amapola Creek Cabernet Sauvignon
It’s common (although flawed) knowledge that wines get better with age. I say ‘flawed’ because while all wines will change with age, some might even get better. And it’s quite unsurprising how often the ‘experts’ are wrong about which (and how) wines age beneficially. (Read this!) But, rather than going down that particular rabbit hole[…]
My Favorite wine, November 28, 2018
2013 Fattoria Poggiopiano Chianti Classico Regular Price $24.99 Sale Price $19.99 So, here’s the thing…to a lot of people, the idea of drinking a Chianti Classico is far more enjoyable than the reality of it. That’s because Chianti Classico is a wine that is best enjoyed with food, not as a cocktail. Quite frankly, the[…]
Tasting notes, Nov. 24, 2018: Wines for Leftovers
2015 Greywacke Wild Sauvignon Marlborough, NZ Regular Price $29.99 Sale price $23.99 I have this image in my head of a vast oil tanker filled with New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc that basically filles every bottle that comes into the US. While that’s obviously false (and mean!) it is true that most NZ SBs are far[…]
What’s a scheurebe?
Before I go there, let’s be clear about something…a tall, skinny bottle does not make a wine sweet. Or I guess I should say, a tall, skinny bottle is not an indication that the wine inside is sweet, no wonder what your brother-in-law, the wine ‘expert’, claims. The bottle, label, closure, color, etc, etc.,are not[…]
Tasting notes: Wines for Thanksgiving, Nov. 17, 2018
2017 La Grange Tiphaine ‘Bel Air’ Touraine-Amboise Loire Valley, FR Regular Price $24.99 Sale price $19.99 This is a family run winery, managed by fourth generation Damien Delecheneau with his wife Coralie. Organic since 2002, they make true-to-form and delicious wines from old vine Chenin Blanc among other grapes. Full and waxy with beautiful pear[…]
Le Beaujolais Nouveau est Arrive!
2018 Pierre-Marie Chermette Beaujolais Vieille Vignes Primeur ‘Origine’ Regular price: $18.99 Sale price: $14.99 2018 Château Gaillard Beaujolais Villages Nouveau Regular price: $14.99 Sale price: $11.99 2018 Christophe Pacalet Beaujolais Nouveau Regular price: $22.99 Sale price: $17.99 Ok, its that time again. But, listen…you don’t have to drink this wine. It’s not[…]
Meet the team
Our store is a family business run by three generations of native Marylanders with decades of experience in the the wine industry.
Matt Wood
PETER WOOD
