Meeting with Edouard Dulac, home wine merchant

The question is like a math problem: knowing that some customers place fairly large orders, how many cases of six bottles Edouard Dulac can he load his bicycle without risking losing his balance in the narrow streets of the Marais? Answer: six boxes. Edouard Dulac can thus deliver up to thirty-six bottles at a time using his bike, the mode of transport best suited to his activity as a "personal local wine merchant". And without an engine, please.

"My job is to connect my clients' tastes with the quality wines available on the market and to provide personalized advice," explains this Marais native of controlled Bordeaux origin who was formerly the manager of the Maison Plisson cellar (Boulevard Beaumarchais) before setting up his own business five years ago.

Coming from a family that has been producing a great Saint-Emilion vintage since the 16th century, it is an understatement to say that this "merchant on rendez-vous » (he does not own a store) has his connections in the wine world. "I am in contact with almost all the best French winemakers," boasts the "freelance" wine merchant who prides himself on having access to bottles that are difficult to find on the market. But also and above all everyday wines.

Sharp and demanding in his approach, Edouard Dulac makes a point of honor to sell only "clean" wines with "little sulfur". Examples: a Montlouis-sur-Loire from Taille au Loup at 27 euros, a Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil from Xavier Amirault from 14 euros, a great Languedoc wine from Clos de la Barthassade (from 12 to 36 euros) or even the Saint-Emilion grand cru from the family cuvée called Château Brun at 16 euros.

The prices – almost always cheaper than in stores – can however reach high levels with, for example, Nuits-Saint-Georges from the Remoriquet estate at 59 euros or Billecat-Salmon champagne from 49 euros.

"Personally, I have a weakness for Loire wines because they exist for all occasions: aperitifs, meals, parties, meats, fish, cheeses, desserts, etc.", confides our oenologist trained by Frank Thomas, a Best Sommelier of France and Europe, and also a "MOF" (Best Worker of France).

When he’s not at a trade show, Édouard Dulac – who gives free advice to clients looking to build their cellar – offers buffets at gallery openings or organises, once a quarter, private tasting evenings on the first floor of the restaurant La Petite Place, right next to the Picasso Museum. And for Christmas, what does he recommend? Drappier champagne for 35 euros. “It’s good, sugar-free and, as a bonus, it was De Gaulle’s champagne.”