Del Mar
Spain's Greatest Hits with Potomac River Views
The Wharf · Washington · Spanish Seafood · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed March 7, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
Del Mar's wine list reads like a love letter to the Iberian Peninsula, with 150-200 bottles that show serious curation and regional depth. You're not just getting Rioja and Albariño on repeat—this is Txakoli from Basque Country, Xarel-lo from Cangas, and Garnacha from Calatayud. They know what they're doing.
Selection Deep Dive
The Spanish focus is encyclopedic without being pretentious: you'll find both the crowd-pleasing Pazo Señoráns Albariño and the nerdy Monasterio de Corias Xarel-lo. Priorat gets proper respect with Clos Figueras and Ferrer Bobet, while bubbly lovers can choose between proper Champagne (Voirin-Jumel, Henriot) and Spanish sparklers like Ramon Canals Gran Reserva Cava. The Napa contingent—Quintessa, Duckhorn, Antica—feels like an afterthought, but honestly, why are you ordering California Cab at a Spanish seafood spot? Burgundy representation is slim but smart: Brocard's Montée de Tonnerre Chablis is the right white for this context.
By the Glass
With 18-24 options by the glass, Del Mar gives you room to explore without committing to a full bottle. The glass program mirrors the bottle list's Spanish focus, and with a sommelier on staff, you can trust the pours are fresh and the recommendations are solid. No lazy house wine program here—they're rotating through enough to keep regulars interested.
Gañeta Txakoli, Basque Country — $52
Crisp, saline, barely-there spritz—made for shellfish and costs what it should
Monasterio de Corias Vina Grandiella Xarel-lo, Cangas
Most people skip Xarel-lo thinking it's just Cava filler, but this still version has minerality and weight that demolishes the grilled octopus
Duckhorn Merlot, Napa Valley
Not bad wine, but wildly out of place at a Spanish seafood restaurant and priced like it's doing you a favor
Pazo Señoráns Albariño, RĂas Baixas + Signature Paella
This is the pairing that launched a thousand Spanish beach vacations—Albariño's citrus and salinity cuts through saffron-rich rice and amplifies sweet shellfish
🔥 The Bottom Line
Del Mar is what happens when a restaurant actually cares about matching its wine program to its cuisine. If you're eating Spanish seafood on the Wharf, this is where you want to be drinking.
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