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Wednesday, March 8, 2006

LA VINOTECA DE JALEO IN CRYSTAL CITY

Up a short flight of stairs from the main dining room in Jaleo Crystal City is a small wine shop dedicated to the great, grape-growing regions of Spain. In what might be a growing trend, the restaurant has both an on- and off-premises liquor license. (Evening Star Cafe in Alexandria and Tallula restaurant in Arlington also have on-off permits. Such licenses are not available in the District and Maryland.) La Vinoteca de Jaleo opened in December.

"It came naturally. All the guests were saying 'Where can I get this wine?' " says co-owner Antoni Yelamos. "The message is clear: We want wine drinkers to come and pay a good price for what they get." All the wines on the restaurant's wine list are available in the shop.

There are bottles from better known areas such as Rias Baixas and Rioja as well as hidden treasures from Bierzo in northwest Spain. Prices range from $6.75 for a 2004 Vega Sindoa rosé to $387.50 for a 1994 Vega Sicilla Unico, with most under $50. In the restaurant, the same wines are priced $15 higher.

Spanish sherry, port and seven brands of sparkling wines also are available.

-- Walter Nicholls

La Vinoteca de Jaleo, 2250-A Crystal Dr., Arlington; 703-413-8181. Open Sunday through Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from noon to 11 p.m.