Le Cercle des Arômes: a new way to discover wine

Mathilde Bourge | 2/28/25, 10:57 AM

Discover great vintages or more confidential wines without having to pay the price of a whole bottle... That's the idea behind Le Cercle des Arômes, a bar offering up to 200 wines by the glass.

Wine is much more than just a drink: it embodies an art of living, a cultural heritage and an invitation to explore the terroir. Yet in many wine bars, the experience is often limited to a small selection, and tasting a quality cru usually requires the purchase of an entire bottle. Le Cercle des Arômes reinvents this approach with an innovative concept: offering everyone the chance to taste wines by the glass, in a friendly, regional atmosphere. A unique way to discover the richness of French viticulture.

A unique oenological immersion

Since its creation, Le Cercle des Arômes has established itself as a benchmark for the discovery of wine in bars. Its principle is simple yet revolutionary: to offer a wine list composed exclusively of wines served by the glass. With a selection ranging from 100 to 200 wines per establishment, wine-lovers can explore both prestigious vintages and little-known nuggets, according to their tastes and budgets.

To guarantee the quality of the wines on offer, Le Cercle des Arômes uses an innovative conservation system based on argon gas and the Coravin device. This technology preserves wine flavors even after several days of opening, offering customers consistent variety and quality throughout the year.

An expanding network

The success of Cercle des Arômes continues to grow. After an initial opening in Colmar in 2017, the concept expanded to Dole in 2023, then to Besançon in September 2024. In October and November of the same year, Cherbourg and Paris respectively will welcome new establishments, with an ambitious project for the capital: to offer the largest by-the-glass wine list in Paris. And the momentum doesn't stop there, with an opening in Orléans scheduled for early 2025.

A personalized, accessible approach

One of the major assets of the Cercle des Arômes is the personalization of its offer. Each establishment adapts its menu to the specific characteristics of the region, offering wines in harmony with local produce. This approach both enhances the value of the terroir and guarantees an authentic experience on every visit. In addition, fresh produce boards from French artisans enhance the tasting experience, reinforcing the immersion in the world of wine.

Finally, Le Cercle des Arômes stands out for its desire to democratize wine tasting. By offering adapted portions (6cl, 12cl or 75cl), it enables everyone to explore new horizons at their own pace, without having to commit to a whole bottle. It's a no-holds-barred way to enjoy wine, supervised by passionate professionals eager to share their knowledge.

A visionary founder

Behind this success story is Antoine Castillon, a passionate Alsatian who founded Le Cercle des Arômes in 2017, aged just 23. With a Master's degree in Wine Management, he banked on an innovative and friendly concept that immediately found its audience. Thanks to a bold vision and rigorous management, he was able to transform his first wine bar into a booming network, recognized for its expertise and original approach to wine tasting.