It was a Splash Splash Splash

I came down to San Diego this weekend to see my family and a friend, and also to use a Living Social deal I had for a wine bar.  I took my friend Fuzzy to the Splash Wine Lounge (www.asplashofwine.com).  It’s located in the North Park area of San Diego on University Ave., just east of 30^th Street.  It is a very interesting concept:  it is set up for wine tastings and appetizers, with the wine being dispensed by machines set up in three separate stations.  You purchase a wine card (a key card like you get for hotel rooms) that you use in the machines.  They recommend starting with $20, and you can add if you need to.  The machines dispense 1 oz. of wine into your glass.

Splash uses two types of the machine – one type set up in a circular pattern for the red wines, and one type set up along the wall in a row in refrigerated cases for the white wines.  The reds were arranged in three different stations, each progressively more expensive.  Prices range from $.09 a pour, up to $5-6.  I have to admit that I unfortunately did not do what I intended – I didn’t write down what I drank or make notes, so I don’t remember the names of everything I tried.  I will be making another trip there in the future and will be more diligent so I can report back appropriately (bad C.J., bad C.J.!).  I will also share pictures next time as I didn’t bring my camera.

Of the wines I had though (and that I do remember a little about), I enjoyed a couple of wines from Spain that were either a Tempranillo or a blend of Tempranillo and Granacha.  And there was one red blend (90% Syrah, 10% Riesling) from Washington State that was called Simply Seductively Smooth….and it was.  And all the better, it was less than $10 for a bottle (which I picked one up).  Fuzzy and I both found that the better wines were actually on the two less expensive stations.  On the most expensive station, two of the wines I tried, I took a sip and made a funny face that she noticed.  Those wines were deep red and had a very heavy anise/liquorice flavor – almost like cough syrup.  It just proves that you don’t need to spend a lot of money for a good wine.

As for the food that we enjoyed with our wine tastings, we ordered a total of three appetizers.  The first one was what they call a Goat Cheese Boat: warm goat cheese topped with olive oil, pesto and sun-dried tomatoes served with bread bites.  Our second appetizer was a charcuterie and cheese plate, with a  nice assortment of soft and hard cheeses and several types of salami.  The last dish we ordered was something they call “Splackers” – spicy crackers and a cream cheese/raspberry-chipotle spread.  It was soooooo amazingly good.  And it paired well with the wines.  It’s given me some ideas to try at home.

I really like this wine bar concept.  I spoke with Amber at Splash (she had served us and answered our questions on the wine and food), and she told me the owner intends to open more locations in San Diego….I put my bid in for them to move into L.A. as well.  I’m sure something like this must be open in L.A., so I will have to research it and find them.  If you find yourself in San Diego (or live there) I highly recommend checking Splash out.