Chef Nicholas Says
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Restaurant Nicholas Location

Orders are available for pick-up at Restaurant Nicholas at 160 Route 35 South Red Bank, NJ 07701 during the following times:

Monday: 9:30-3:30; Tuesday – Friday: 9:15am – 9:00pm; Saturday: 11:00am – 9:00pm; Sunday: Closed

How to Choose a BYOB Wine

Chef Nicholas Helps You Find the Perfect Food Pairing

How to Choose a BYOB Wine

BYOB restaurants often feature great food and a great value for the customer, but if you’d like a glass of wine to accompany your meal, it can be a daunting task figuring out which bottle to bring along. You want something that will complement the flavors of your food and impress your dining companions without breaking the bank.

I’ve got a few recommendations that are versatile enough to pair well with a variety of foods and classy enough to elevate your next BYOB experience.

Experience Loire Whites

For something that pairs well with appetizers, salads, seafood, and pasta, you want a wine that’s crisp, with good acid and minerality. I recommend a Loire Valley white, which is a nice accompaniment to these dishes as well as being delicious on its own. A Sancerre is also a great choice, but given that it’s become more expensive in recent years, I’ve found that a Loire Valley white fits the right flavor profile while still providing good value.

Bordeaux will be is Your new Best Friend

If you’re a fan of red wines, a Bordeaux blend is a great choice for a BYOB dinner. Bordeaux blends are often medium-bodied, meaning they’re a nice midpoint between some of the “bigger” reds like the Syrah blends from the Rhone and the “lighter” reds such as Pinot Noir. They’re versatile and pair well with a wide variety of foods, from beef and lamb dishes to seafood and roasted vegetables.

There’s Nothing Like Chianti

Another great red wine choice is a Chianti Classico or a Chianti Rufina. Chiantis quite literally have grown up around great cuisine. A good Chianti will taste like a wine that’s well beyond its price tag. Chianti is made from Sangiovese, a very versatile grape. But unlike a Brunello or Rosso di Montalcino, Chiantis are made to be enjoyed younger and can also pair perfectly with an array of different dishes like pork, pasta with meat-based sauces, and grilled vegetables.