A love of great wine and a tight budget are diametrically opposed, right? Not if you know how to play it! Yes, sadly some happy hour wine offerings leave much to be desired for the discerning palate, but there are plenty of ways to swirl and sip the good stuff without breaking the bank.
Many, I’d even venture to say most, downtown restaurants have a night each week where they offer half-off all bottles of wine priced at $100 or less. This is an awesome opportunity to drink lovely vino without the sticker shock. One particular favorite is Sundays at Annata. Oregon Pinot Noir is notoriously delicious, and on Sundays their usually $75 bottle from the Willamette Valley becomes infinitely affordable, as does their similarly-priced bottle of brut Champagne. Le swoon.
Unsure what to order? Wherever you go, it’s always a good idea to ask for the sommelier to help guide you to the right bottle. If there’s no sommelier, they will certainly provide you with their most informed staff member. Wine can be confusing, even for those of us who know a thing or two, so it never hurts to ask for help. Perhaps you can even learn a bit!
The “Choose Your Own Adventure” of wine tasting
Try Wine is a fantastic option for those who love variety but aren’t necessarily looking to get too tipsy while pinching their pennies. It’s similar to one’s enjoyment of tapas – you only truly enjoy the first few bites of any given dish, so the eating experience becomes immensely more pleasurable when the whole meal is composed of “first few bites.”
After receiving a card upon arrival, you wander the place exploring the wine options lined up along the perimeter. Each is differently priced, and you can choose whether you’d like just a taste (my preference), a half-glass, or you can go the full monty. You can spend a good bit here if you allow yourself. So I suggest going in with a plan of only tasting say, five whites and five reds. Then treat yourself to a glass or half-glass of your favorite. The folks at Try Wine are very knowledgeable, and are always happy to be your guides, explaining as much or as little as you wish to know.
More Happy Hour Choices
As I mentioned at the top, not all happy hour wine selections are bummers. Most of us know Ceviche for the tapas, sangria, and mojitos, but their wine selection is also stellar. The happy hour wine options, daily from 4-7, may not be extensive, but they are thoughtfully chosen and offer great quality.
If you are a fellow bubbly lover, get thee to Flute & Dram for their “Bubble Hour” between 4 and 7 on weekdays. Glasses are BOGO, up to $20/glass, and they are seriously scrumptious.
See? No need to suffer subpar wine to keep your wallet in check! Of course, please remember to imbibe responsibly!
