Romani-Conti, Pierre Overnoy, Chateau Reyes… these 10 French hypermarkets whose cellars rival those of major collectors

A few years ago, during a conversation with a fellow wine critic for a major weekly magazine, we were surprised to discover the existence of… an extraordinary wine department at the Leclerc Center. “I buy all my wine there, by the whole cart. There are also great wines from 1945.“, the demanding amateur gave us the secret, without an ounce of provocation.”And I’m far from alone. I also meet great wine journalists, restaurateurs and sommeliers there.“, she continued. That was all it took to pique our curiosity.

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Thinking that we are dealing with the whims of a former sommelier in a Michelin-starred restaurant turned department manager, it was enough to conduct an investigation in the four corners of France to realize that this is by no means an isolated case. In the city center, in the suburbs and in the most remote areas of France, we have discovered more than a dozen supers and hypermarkets whose addresses are kept secret, housing cellars that will make even the most discerning collectors swoon: Romney’s old vintage. Conti, Chateau Lafayette-Rothschild, Pierre Overnoy, Jean-Francois Ganevat, Chateau Reyes, Grange des Peres, etc., often at unbeatable prices, especially during wine fairs. Here are our ten must-haves.

1.E. Leclerc de Pierre, in Champagne

In a small village located in the heart of the Champagne vineyards, a stone’s throw from Apernay, we find a Leclerc center, whose cellar depth left us speechless. At the helm are four wine merchants, including the jovial Mr. Chereau. which seeks to diminish its merits: “We belong to a group that firmly believes in a global project around wine, which involves significant resources, and we are fortunate to be located on the edge of the Cote des Bars, with customers…