Tap into quality wine

Marcia Gagliardi

In an attempt to reduce waste and lower wine prices, Salt House, under the guidance of co-owner Doug Washington, started partnering with local wineries to create custom blends of house wine served on tap. Imagine: no corks! More money for dessert! Then David Gingrass, who was in the midst of reincarnating Hawthorne Lane as Two, decided to follow suit. Most recently, the new Spanish restaurant Laïola, by the people behind Frisson, jumped on the cheap-and-cheerful bandwagon. Here’s the lowdown on what’s offered at each restaurant and just how reasonable the prices are.

SALT HOUSE; 545 Mission St., S.F., 415-543-8900                
Maranja’s White ’05 (pinot gris, chardonnay, and sauvignon blanc). Served in a custom etched bottle: 6-oz. ($6), 12-oz. ($12), or 24-oz. ($24) pours.

Athena Seniors Red ’05 (cabernet, zinfandel, and syrah). Served in a custom etched bottle: 6-oz. ($7), 12-oz. ($14), or 24-oz. ($28) pours.

DaVero Red Rover ’04 (sangiovese and syrah). Served in a custom etched bottle: 6-oz. ($8), 12-oz. ($16), or 24-oz. ($32) pours.

TWO; 22 Hawthorne St., S.F., 415-777-9779

Pinot grigio ’06 served in a glass ($5), 300 ml ($9), 500 ml ($15), 750 ml ($23).

Chardonnay ’06 served in a glass ($7), 300 ml ($13), 500 ml ($21), 750 ml ($30).

Syrah, petite syrah, and cabernet ’04  served in a glass ($7), 300 ml ($13), 500 ml ($21), 750 ml ($30).

Sangiovese ’05  served in a glass ($5), 300 ml ($9), 500 ml ($15), 750 ml ($23).

Laïola; 2031 Chestnut St., S.F., 415-346-5642

Bodegas Laïola “Borracho y Loco” ’04 (garnacha, carigñana, and syrah)  served in a carafina: 250 ml ($9) or 500 ml ($17).