The romantic image of leisurely sipping fine wine at a bustling Parisian sidewalk café may be more illusion than reality, according to a recent investigation. A report published by The Times on Monday revealed that many cafés in Paris routinely substitute cheaper wines while charging customers for premium selections, particularly targeting tourists.
The findings are based on an undercover investigation by the French newspaper Le Parisien, which enlisted two sommeliers to visit various Parisian bistros while posing as English-speaking tourists. Their mission was to determine whether the wines served matched the more expensive varieties they had ordered.
The sommeliers discovered that in numerous cases, establishments replaced higher-priced wines with lower-cost alternatives, betting that foreign visitors would be unlikely to notice the difference. For example, a glass of Chablis priced at €9 ($10.28) was frequently swapped for a less expensive Sauvignon Blanc costing €5 ($5.71).
Several restaurant employees reportedly admitted to the practice. “You can serve the wine you want. People don’t have the sense of taste to spot it. It can be Beaujolais, Côte du Rhône, Brouilly, or any other wine,” said a waitress identified only as Sarah, who has three decades of experience in the industry. She further disclosed that some establishments even mix leftover wines into a single bottle to serve during happy hours.
To avoid being misled, experts suggest diners request to see the bottle at the time of pouring. However, for many visitors, such deceptions may simply become part of the authentic Parisian café experience.
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