BACCHUS WINE MARKET AND TASTING ROOM

Gaslamp, G Street between 6th and 7th

Open daily

Proprietors Jeff and Karin have beautifully remodeled this basement wine bar and retail store. It’s a stone’s throw from the madness of the Gaslamp, but atmospherically miles away. The music is quiet; the mood is warm and inviting.  Karin is a certified wine educator; Jeff’s an expert on California wines. They insist on tasting before they buy, only stock wines that are not available in chain stores, and usually procure only a case or two of any given vintage. In the course of a year, the store offers 1200-1500 different wines!  Visitors to the wine bar can choose from at least 14 wines by the glass. Corkage is only $5 for bottles under $20 and free for more expensive bottles. There’s also an impressive list of craft beers by the bottle and a short menu of wine-friendly snacks.

On Fridays and Saturdays Bacchus offers themed tastings, e.g., seven Spanish and Portuguese wines, Pinot Noirs, wines rated 90 or above by Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate… on a walk-in basis. Jeff and Karin partner with Venissimo Cheese to put on pairing workshops and are happy to host private tasting/pairing/wine education events.

CAFE BLEU

Mission Hills

807 W. Washington Street
Open Daily

On a recent visit we were very impressed with Café Bleu’s eclectic international wine list and enjoyed talking with bartender Robin. There were 27 wines available by the half-glass, glass, or bottle. The setting is welcoming and invites conversation with bar or table seating options and good acoustics. In the mood for reds, we tried (and liked!) a 2009 Fedriani Laffite from Valencia, Spain, 2004 Mankas Cabernet Sauvignon from the Suisun Valley in NoCal, and 2009 Marques Reinosa Gardenos Rioja. The happy hour menu (3:00 – 6:00 p.m. daily) features ten wines at $5/glass and a nice selection of food – from cheeses and small bites to a burger or croque monsieur. Bottles of wine are half price on Mondays; Tuesday – Thursday there are specials on beer and wine flights. Café Bleu has a full kitchen serving weekday lunch, weekend brunch, and dinner nightly.

THIRD CORNER WINE SHOP AND BISTRO

Ocean Beach, 2265 Bacon (from Sunset Cliffs, turn right on Voltaire and just follow the road)

Closed Mondays

This place meets our wine bar criteria even though the wine-by-the-glass menu, though adequate and very affordable, is not something we’d detour for. The tiny (full) bar is a mellow local hang, but serious wine drinkers should browse the well curated collection of over 1000 bottles. Give a few clues about what you like and someone will help you navigate. Stay for appetizers or a meal; the food is good and corkage is only $5. Or just shop. A recent foray in search of Santa Barbara whites yielded an impressive array of choices.

VOYOU

Hillcrest, 5^th & Pennsylvania, west side

Closed Sundays

Voyou is a comfortably trendy cocktail and wine lounge with service that makes us feel like guests in owner Renaud’s home. The wine-by-the-glass list (dry to a fault) is international and well priced. In a city with limited late-night dining options, it’s noteworthy that Voyou’s kitchen stays open as late as the bar. Get the tuna tartare.

THE WINE LOVER

Hillcrest, 5^th between University and Washington

Open daily

This is probably the oldest wine bar in town. Visitors can choose flights, half-glasses, glasses, and bottles from a well selected list of U.S. and international wines. The indoor-outdoor setting is classy and conversation-friendly. There’s a limited menu of wine-friendly snacks and sweets. On a recent visit we noticed that the prices seemed much more reasonable, suitably adjusted to the current economy. During happy hour (4:30-6:30 daily) there are even $5 glasses and $20 bottles.