Saturday evening I dined at the Wine Bar upstairs from Bistro Lepic (I have had several lunches downstairs and like the wine list and authentic French bistro-like dishes.)
I had had a large lunch and wanted to go lighter so started with a three-cheese plate that included grapes, apple slices, walnuts and toasted triangles o bread. The cheese menu was arranged by cow's milk, goat's milk, and sheep's milk and I chose one from each category--Tomme de Savoie, Crottin de Chavignol, and Petit Basque.
I started with a half-glass pour of 2006 Lauverjat Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc). I see there is more than one Lauverjat--this may have been from Christian Lauverjat but I'm not certain. This was a simple, pure-flavored citrusy Sancerre. As expected, it went great with the Crottin de Chavignol, a goat cheese from the same region. The cheese was creamy and spreadable with an almost citrus-like tang.
I also had the waiter bring a full glass pour of the 2004 Brouilly Beaujolais (didn't get the producer's name.) Unusual nose of caramel toffee and violets. Tastes just a little tired or flat on the palate but this may have been a result of the bottle being open for awhile rather than aging wine.
The Beaujolais was a medium garnet shade with semi-transparency. I liked it much better after some warmth and airing. It may have been too chilled at first. The flavor was more cherry/berry with the caramel toffee receding.
The Petit Basque sheep's milk cheese was described on the menu as nutty flavors and it went very well with the walnuts on the plate. It also went better with the Beaujolais than either the Tomme de Savoie or the Crottin IMHO.
I wasn't completely full after the cheese plate so ordered an appetizer also--lemon-lime risotto with shrimp and topped with shavings of cheese. It was delicious! To go with it I ordered a half-glass pour of Remy Pannier Muscadet et Sevre (2006 I believe). Leggy on the glass. A bit of lemon; a bit of sea salt. Not the best Muscadet et Sevre I've had but showed some varietal typicity and went pretty well with the risotto. it might have matched even better with oysters but I don't really care for oysters.
The Wine Bar (or restaurant) is worth checking out. Both are small so reservations are recommended.