Dining out is one of life’s greatest little luxuries. What’s better than taking the night off from cooking, being inspired by new ingredients, and enjoying easy conversation - all over a great glass of wine? One of our favorite ways to make the experience more affordable and customized is to find a cozy BYO spot where can can bring in our favorite wines. 

That’s why we’ve created our BYOW - Bring Your Own Wine - series, where we explore some of our favorite BYO spots, share tips from the restaurants on what makes their dishes so delightful, and pair each plate with one of our wines. 

We’re kicking off the series and closing out summer with one of New England’s most beloved dining experiences - a classic seafood shack. Keep reading for three delicious food & wine pairings, plus tips from the awesome folks at The Lobster Pool in beautiful Rockport, Mass.

Lobster Roll & Lot 130 Chardonnay 

Pairing: Lobster rolls are rich, buttery and delicious. The crisp fruit flavors and versatility of chardonnay, like Lot 130 Chardonnay from California's Russian River Valley, balance the meal out perfectly. This wine is mineral-driven with a refreshing light touch of oak, so we had to grab it for a warm day spent by the water. 

Tip: “When making a lobster roll, it’s all about the right amount of butter. In our opinion, the more butter the better!” - The Lobster Pool 

Mussels & Lot 170 Muscadet

Pairing: Mussels and Muscadet are about as classic of a food and wine pairing as you can get. The unique saltiness of the Muscadet matches that of mussels (or clams, oysters, etc!). We packed Lot 170 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine from France's Loire Valley, and its freshness and high acidity was just what the dish needed.

Tip: “It’s tempting to dig right into a glorious bowl of mussels, but to really let the flavors meddle, let the mussels sit in the broth for a few extra minutes. It’ll be worth the wait!” - The Lobster Pool

Fried Calamari & Lot 158 Beaujolais 

Pairing: Fried calamari, especially when paired with a tomato-based dipping sauce, calls for a light red with soft tannins, like Lot 158 Beaujolais. Because Beaujolais is best served slightly chilled, it's a great choice for the next few weeks as we transition from warmer to cooler days.

Tip: “You really can’t go wrong with sauces, whether you like marinara, chipotle aioli, or tartar sauce. We love tartar, but why not try ‘em all!” - The Lobster Pool

Just about an hour north of Boston is the beautiful seaside town of Rockport, Mass. At 329 Granite Street, right on the water, you'll find The Lobster Pool, where you can enjoy fresh seafood while you watch the sunset off the coast. This is a must-do next time you're in the area!