Arrowine

 

13

121

Dee B.

Bethesda, MD

A very impressive cheese selection, great wine selection, cool chocolate selection (which I had to stay away from!) and helpful staff.  One drawback is that they only have one cash register, which means on a Saturday you could be standing in line for a bit longer that you'd like to in order to pay for your purchases.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Elite '08

19

118

Katie F.

Woodbridge, VA

Really great knowledgeable service behind the cheese case. A great selection of meats too.  This was my first visit.  I was asked very specific questions about what flavors and textures I liked in a cheese and was guided to something great.

The meat was sliced, layed out, and wrapped in paper so nicely. It is small touches like this that give this place 5 stars.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

0

8

Kristjana K.

Arlington, VA

Just came back from my first trip to the store today. I love that strip on Lee Highway, very quaint. As soon as I walked in, I was asked by 2 of the sales staff if I needed any help. Their cheese selection was vast and their wine...well, I needed to ask someone for help to steer me to the right direction. There a lot of "special occasion" wines...ie, expensive wines, but if you are looking for something under $20, they have plenty of good ones too. Their specialty food you could find at whole foods really. Come for the wine, beer, and cheese...and the bakery next door :)

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Elite '08

3

55

Shannon M.

Atlanta, GA

Yelpers--This is the wine store for which you've been searching!  The selection is thoughfully chosen--balanced with regional representation and by price.  

Look carefully and you'll find a wine that suits your palette and your pocketbook.  

Better still--ask any of the wine staff to help you.  They are some of the most knowlegeable and helpful group I've encountered.  

The weekend tastings are a wonderful way to try many similar offerings from different makers--hence you'll learn to distinguish characteristics of wines you love. (and the reps pouring the delicious samples will educate you in a painless way).

Also worth noting--as described by Andrew H. and Jennifer S.--the cheese case and charcuterie will make you drool with delight.  

At Arrowine, you won't hit the glass ceiling so often found in the smaller more commercial wine stores like Best Cellars.  And you won't be overwhelmed by choice as is sometimes the case at the Virginia MegaWineStores.  There's plenty of staff, so you won't be wandering around looking for someone to ask questions of.

We went to the port tasting last weekend, and can't wait to go back and buy that particularly seductive bottle. (no, I'm not telling! mine, all mine! ;) )

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Elite '08

220

333

Tom D.

Washington, DC

4.5 stars
This place has an excellent selection given the size of the store -- plus if you sign up for their email updates you will get some great discounts and special offers. Their special offers don't beat some of the prices you can find on wine-searcher.com -- but you don't pay shipping and you support a great local business.

Good selections of CA, French, Italian and Australian -- Spanish wines are a little weak.

They have the largest selection of Louis/Dressner wines in the area -- which is a whole 3 bottles at the moment -- but enough to keep me happy -- and many of the wines are the authentic and well made.

I love the owner of this place -- his heart and palate are in the right place -- and he is a really genuine guy that knows his wine. In fact, all of the staff is super friendly and know their wines -- and they have GREAT tastings at least a couple of times a week. Watch for the Italian tastings with Bill McKinney -- he is great and knows his wine.

A jewel of a neighborhood wine store that is worthy of its reputation and following.

One of the top three wines stores in the greater DC area -- currently, it might be my favorite as it has personality and charm -- and I always feel like I am well taken care of.......

They have a great cheese selection too!

Will return and return often.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Elite '08

18

92

andrew h.

Washington, DC

Tom D. I resemble that statment, "Spanish wines are a little weak."  My company is supplying Spanish Wines for their Oct. 07 promotional newsletter.  If you rush, you can probably taste 10 great Spanish wines right now.

I like the wine selection, but I also find that I get excited because of one esoteric selection and then can't find the next one that it reminds me of.  The draw for me is the cheesecase, as this may be the second best in the Metro area after cowgirl creamery in DC http://www.yelp.com/bi...
They don't prewrap cheese, they cut it to order and you can generally tell that things are fresh and sell through quickly.
They have a good selection of craft and imported beer.  They also have a wall full of gourmet foodstuffs.  Some are more gourmet than others, i.e. cento canned tomatoes don't count, single estate Tuscan olive oil does.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

1

4

Gene Y.

Arlington, VA

Everything that you could dream for in a wine and cheese specialty store.  The staff is very helpful and they host wine tastings on Friday and Saturday.  The wines are often not the run of the mill and therefore allow you to gain exposure to more exotic grapes and locations.

The cheesecase has a very broad selection as well.  Again, the staff will help point you in the right direction if you don't know the name of the cheese; taste your way to what you're looking for.

I try to go once a week for the tastings and often come out with specialty beer or snacks as well.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

4

41

Jim A.

Arlington, VA

Arrowine is a great wine shop. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and will point you to lower priced options first. They have a great selection of French, Spanish and Italian wines. They distribute a number of small production producers from France and Spain that are hard to find elsewhere. The buyers definitely prefer more restrained European style wines over big fruit bombs from California.

They key is to sign-up for their email list - where they offer weekly specials. The specials are unbelievable - varying from bargain bottles from Spain at $8.99 per piece to Clarendon Hills Shiraz and Grenache (a HOT Australian producer) at the best prices in the country. The Internet specials routinely offer fantastic wine at the best possible prices.

The cheese, bread and charcuterie are also top notch - sliced properly and good quality.

They offer two tastings a week (I think Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons - wines offered at the tasting are always on sell at case discount, even if you only buy one bottle). Wine dinners at local restaurants are also offered on a regular basis. This is a top-notch wine shop!

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

10

153

Anna R.

Arlington, VA

I don't come here often, maybe five times a year.  But when I do, it's usually a big purchase.  The biggest one was several years ago when my husband and I moved to Bosnia.  I stayed behind for a bit to pack up and I decided to buy two cases of wine.  The owner was present and helped me pick out every single bottle.  Over the course of three years, we finished all the wine for special occasions and entertaining.  All of them were winners.  How does that happen except that Doug Rosen knows his stuff?  And the beer selection isn't half bad.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

368

434

Jennifer S.

Arlington, VA

With more than 2,500 wines and a constantly evolving and vast selection of American artisanal brews, traditional English ales, Belgian/Trappist ales and much more --- you shouldn't have a problem finding the perfect beverage. I personally also enjoy all the other offerings at Arrowine --- like the huge gourmet case full of cheeses, olives and charcuterie. Don't overlook all the Firehook Bakery breads and H&H Bagels (shipped par baked and frozen straight from NY). And if you aren't convinced that he only stocks the best of the best --- peruse the gourmet groceries section, but not for too long otherwise you'll wind up walking out the door with what you came for AND what you suddenly "needed." That's been my problem in the past (I used to live across the street).

The owner is extremely knowledgeable, but isn't always as friendly as he could be. He's forgiven because if you spend just 5 minutes speaking with him you'll quickly realize how passionate he is about wine and what he sells. He seeks out importers and distributors who work with small producers who share his vision and ideals. Admirable. And the prices aren't horrifying either.

**OPINION PRINCESS HOT TIP** While I highly recommend signing up for the uber informative monthly newsletter - spend 30 minutes over the weekend at one of the tastings to really LEARN about the wines (and taste the accompanying cheeses also!).

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

70

78

Pheniece J.

Arlington, VA

They carry a great selection of wine. I picked up two pinot noirs from Cali and thoroughly enjoyed them.

I also picked up some cheese and the deli helper was very very nice and gave some great tips.

This place is about 3 blocks from my house so I will be returning frequently !

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review