The Rise of the Wine Bar
Written By: Brian Freedman on Mon, Jul 30th 2007
The New Neighborhood Watering Hole
These days, it seems, wine bars are opening at a breakneck pace. From Philadelphia to Chicago to Los Angeles, some of the most exciting new hangouts are built on the idea that people want more options when it comes to the type of watering hole they end up in for the night. And while nothing will ever threaten the supremacy of the good old corner bar—is there anything better than bad music on the jukebox, the local team on the TV, and a pint of beer in your hands?—they are absolutely getting a run for their money these days from bars with extensive by-the-glass wine lists, small, wine-friendly dishes on the menu, and an atmosphere conducive to conversation.
And the fact that wine bars are seeing such a resurgence in this country—or, rather, a “surgence,” to coin a term, since they never really were all that popular before—is a great sign of these heady wine-times.
Wine used to be considered a somewhat elitist drink, and the study and tasting of wine used to be considered a somewhat effete pursuit. Even today, I still have vivid memories of having just turned 21, hanging out a bar with my college friends, and being made merciless fun of for ordering a glass of red. Real men, after all, drank beer. Or at least, that’s what the old logic dictated.
But now—and not a moment too soon—wine is enjoying an upsurge in popularity that seems to defy demographic stereotypes or expectations. College students are drinking wine. Young professionals are learning about it and amassing modest collections. Even baby boomers are getting into the act, using some of the money they’ve earned over a lifetime of work to snap up more prized bottles than anyone in the wine industry ever could have imagined.
The wine bar seems to be a natural extension of this newfound wine-populism, as well as a fantastic place to learn about wines that you might not have considered before.
When looking for a wine bar, you should seek out a place with a list that runs the gamut from the ordinary to the unusual. Because while you don’t want to go there just to drink the same old wine you always do, you definitely don’t want the entire list to look unfamiliar. Comfort, here, is key.
You should also visit a wine bar at which the staff is well-trained and knowledgeable about wine in general—not just the ones on the list. In this way, they will be able to guide you in the right direction, gauge your own tastes based on what you tell them you normally drink, and provide recommendations that will be both appealing and unexpected.
More than anything, though, you should just give these places a try. Because you never know when you’ll taste that one wine that changes your life. And the more people you ask, the more will tell you that they fell in love with wine because of a single life-changing experience. And whether it’s with a $500 bottle of old Bordeaux or a $10 glass of white wine from North Eastern Italy, your drinking life may never be the same.
The more you taste, the more likely that is to happen. And there’s no better way to experience new wines—aside from formal tastings—than to frequent wine bars. Hedging your bets never tasted so good.
