A wise man (Galileo) once observed that “Wine is sunlight, held together by water.” Soak up those rays by sampling a flight or exploring some new terroir at these affable wine bars in and around Arlington.
Simona Cafe
This low-key coffee house and wine bar in Courthouse is a great place to chill during the daily happy hour from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Munch on manchego and chorizo while sipping a rustic tempranillo and browsing recommended reads from mobile bookshop The Wandering Shelf. Gorgeous weather? Bring your pup and a friend for people watching paired with $6 mimosas or a glass of crisp rosé on the patio. What to drink: Bright, citrusy Italian whites, or a floral flute of Moldovan bubbly. 2507 Franklin Road, Arlington (Courthouse)
Screwtop Wine Bar
Looking to expand your horizons in an unfussy setting? Stop by this Clarendon bar and bottle shop, where the knowledgeable staff sport branded t-shirts that read “Love the wine you’re with” and “Brosé—real men drink pink.” The menu keeps the sass rolling with rotating flights (all less than $40) showcasing specific regions (think bold California reds, a tour of Spain) or broader themes (expressive rosés, global sparklers). Proving wine’s infinite versatility, the kitchen turns out snacks such as Cuban pork sliders, empanadas and tacos, along with gratis truffle popcorn. What to drink: The blood orange sangria is dangerously delicious, while a South African Pinotage floods the senses with ripe, red fruits. 1025 N. Fillmore St., Arlington (Clarendon)
Grand Cata
From the salsa beats flowing through the sound system to the anchovy- and olive-studded “nachos,” this Mosaic District wine bar and market—a spin-off of Pedro Rodríguez and Julio Robledo’s flagship emporium in D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood—is a love letter to Latin America. The eight-seat bar invites visitors to build their own flights ($23), while the tables in the back are occasionally used for staff-led wine tastings. “We’re not just sipping. We are slurping. We are coating our mouths with wine,” an enthusiastic sommelier instructed attendees during a recent tasting tour of Mexican vintners. What to drink: Argentinian Torrontés (smacks of peaches) or a bold and spicy Chilean Carménère. 8298 Glass Alley, Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Dominion Wine & Beer
Occupying the second floor of a brick building in Falls Church, this intimate drinking den by brothers Arash and Afsheen Tafakor offers some 16 wines by the glass—perfect for sipping with small plates and a charcuterie selection courtesy of the owners’ butcher shop next door. If you taste something you like, you can buy more of it to take home from the beer and wine shop on the premises. What to drink: Tart Austrian rosé (blossom on the nose, hint of melon), tangy limoncello wine spritzes ($10 at happy hour) and funky Spanish reds. 107 Rowell Court, Falls Church