Proof: Our Favorite Wine Bar in DC

We wandered around Penn Quarter in DC in search of a lively and sophisticated place to grab a late-night drink. With people dining on the patio and hovering around the bar, Proof looked like the spot we wanted.

Proof is a wine bar and restaurant in DC. The decor is stylish and welcoming. We love the warmth of the exposed brick and leather chairs. For wine-lovers like us, we were thrilled to see that Proof offers about 30 to 40 wines by the glass (with generous pours) .

We arrive by 8:30pm, and both the bar and restaurant is packed.

By 11pm, the dining room is nearly empty...but the bar is still busy.

We love the Enomatic wine dispensers. It's always a shame when wines are not properly stored at bars and restaurants, so these machines usually put us at ease.

Sean Thackrey Pleiades ('07, California, $7.50/2 oz pour):
Intrigued by the name on the menu ("Everything but the Kitchen Sink") and our server telling us that there were around 16 grapes in the wine, we decided to try this wine. Smells like chocolate, with a juicy, fruit forward palate of blackberry and chocolate.

Left: Joguet Chinon ('05, $3.50/2 oz pour)
Most people don't know that red wines from the Loire are great values and really good wines. This 2005 Chinon from Charles Joguet had fresh red fruit with light tannins and decent acidity.

Right: Train Wreck ('06, California, $3.20/2 oz pour)
Its name was more interesting than the wine.

With the kitchen closed, we took a sneak peak at the cheese plate beside us. It looked really good!

And yet, we opt to end the night trying a couple more wines:
Left: William Fevre Chablis ('04, $5.00/2 oz pour)
Grassy with some cedar toast on the nose, the wine is still fresh and the citrusy fruit is well integrated now that the wine has some age on it. Our favorite of the night.

Right: Numanthia Termes ('06, $3.00/2 oz pour)
We were surprised to see this wine, since it's flying off the shelves at retail locations. A big, brawny fruit forward Spanish wine with high alcohol that should last for several years. Always a good choice.

Proof is located at 775 G St NW (at 8th St NW).