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While heading home from work one evening, I noticed a few wine bars opening in and around my neighborhood. It got me to wandering; no, literally wandering around to count how many places there are to enjoy a glass of vino.
Wine bars have increasingly become the new watering hole, replacing bars from the old days where the typical place to enjoy a drink was in a dark, crowded room with a huge wooden bar, uncomfortable stools protruding up from below and sticky, concrete floors. Nowadays, wine bars are a staple in present-day neighborhoods and boast many ways to help you wind down a long, stressful week. They provide options of comfort to sit and talk, study or listen to music and they are usually contained in more sleek, sophisticated environments.
While on a recently business trip to Washington, D.C. I visited one of my favorite wine bars - Maxwell Park. I first discovered this wine bar a year ago while wandering the streets, looking for a place to enjoy some good wine. Having lived in D.C. a few years before, I had forgotten where most of the good spots are, so I googled the subject and Maxwell Park appeared on a list with several other wine bars. Something about Maxwell's website captured my attention, so minutes later, my Uber driver arrived at a semi-busy corner in Northwest DC's Shaw neighborhood. The minute I stepped into the place I was hooked. I was greeted by a friendly, knowledgeable staff and the bar offered a great atmosphere in which I could just sit at a window, people watch and ponder how scary life’s meaning would be without wine.
Maxwell offers the wine lover more than 40 different wines by the glass, half or whole bottle and they rotate regions to give their patrons a mix of different wines from all over the world. They also offer a small selection of cocktails for those who prefer them, as well as small plates of food and snacks.
On this particular trip, I had the pleasure of finally meeting Maxwell’s Founder and Head Sommelier, Brent Kroll. He’s a very pleasant guy who approaches you like you’ve been friends for years. I felt honored to have the actual owner of the wine bar tend to me. Having seen him on the website, I recognized him immediately and almost felt overwhelmed as if I was on Hollywood Boulevard stargazing. But hey, that’s the effect good wine has on me these days. Once my eyes stopped glazing over, I realized that Brent is a very friendly, non-pretentious guy who serves up a great glass or two or three of wine. He made some suggestions of wines to try and I actually found what would become a new favorite. Brent has been able to capture the true essence of a great wine bar atmosphere coupled with friendly humor and a seriousness about wine. If you ever get to DC, definitely stop by Maxwell Park to say hello. Oh and get a bottle of wine while you're there!
So what distinguishing characteristics make wine bars more enjoyable scenes to have a glass of your favorite grape you ask?
Great Atmosphere
Many a wine bar owners have enlisted ideas from great interior designers and architects to create perfect spaces in which to enjoy your wine. Wine bars have surpassed typical, everyday bars by providing awesome atmospheres. Wine bars encompass many components from comfy, large sofas, sturdy but comfortable chairs, European and modern style furnishings, fireplaces, tables, waterfalls, views of rivers, oceans, passers-by, etc. complete with WiFi and live music. Many wine bars provide levels of intimacy that you cannot get at other bars and they induce true relaxation before heading off to dinner, the theater, or just heading home for the evening.
“You Wanna Go Where Everybody Knows Your Name”
For those of my readers who were born in the 60s and 70s you'll know the quote of this section. Cheers embodied the perfect bar where when you walked in, the bartender, bouncer and wait staff knew your name. Impeccable customer service is the hallmark of any great wine bar. You don’t mind shelling out $100 if the drinks were good and the wait staff, sommelier and concierge were amazing at providing a great experience for you. Wine bars typically always hire folks who possess great personalities and knowledge of the products they sell. Every wine bar I've been to, I almost always know what I want to drink, but I will usually ask the sommelier for recommendations. I most always end up with a great wine just by taking the advice of the person who tends to my table. But if you take this route, be sure to know what you'd like beforehand to give your attendant a blue print on what he/she should bring. Nothing could be more frustrating to an attendant than being stopped by a patron asking for a suggestion and wasting their time not knowing what you want to drink......or so I've heard. What's also great about this is that staff usually end up engaging you in great conversation and sometimes will join you and comp a glass of wine. Before you know it, you've cultivated a good friendship. It's definitely a perk that keeps me coming back for sure.
Uncomplicated Menus
Not that I have anything against having multiple food choices to pick from, but nothing burns me more when I go out to an establishment and the menu is the size of a cookbook. Now for all of you Cheesecake Factory supporters, this isn’t a slight on them. But how many pages do you actually need in a menu? At some point menus become more like a novel and you end up just choosing something simple to give your eyes a break. Menus in wine bars offer simple foods and snacks. They usually provide options such as sandwiches, crudité, cheeseboards, fruits, crackers, nuts and chocolates. They are typically not; however, the place to go if you want a full-scale meal. But, you can get “full” at your local wine bar (no pun intended).
Expert Advice
There is usually someone who can point you in the right direction if you’re stuck on what to drink with what dish. They have experts who have been educated and trained in the industry to walk you through perfect accompaniments to get the most out of your wine experience.
Free Wine
Wine bars always offer free tastings to enable you to learn more about wines. In addition to free tastings, they usually have great offers to rent party rooms for special occasions where you and your party can imbibe and sample international wines. It's a great way to become more versed in choosing different wines and learning how to select proper dish accompaniments.
Like Being At a Bar, But Not a Bar
Wine bars don't feel like typical bars. There may be music playing and semi crowded areas but it’s usually a more lighthearted environment where you can hear the conversation of the person sitting in front of you. There are no crowds of folks stepping on your brand new shoes and typically not too many people get so plastered that fights break out that cause a stampede towards the exit door - mostly not.
At the end of the day, wine bars have become the perfect place to come sit and relax, reflect and rejuvenate with others or alone. Each one has its own personality from the more discerning to the more relaxed and casual environment. Whatever your taste, you are sure to find one that suits you.
Remember to drink responsibly and enthusiastically!