The Journal · Pillar
Bring your own wine: how it works and which wine and sake pairings work best with sushi.
Yes, you can drink red wine with sushi, but not just any kind. The key is to choose a light-bodied red wine with low tannins and good acidity, like a Gamay from Beaujolais or a Pinot Noir from Burgundy. These wines complement the fish without creating the metallic taste often associated with bolder reds. The experience is even better at a BYOB restaurant like Aji Bar, where you control the bottle.
For sushi, choose a dry, crisp white wine with high acidity, like a Sauvignon Blanc (Sancerre) or a dry Riesling. Avoid tannic red wines and oaky whites.
Aji Bar Sushi & Izakaya in Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie is the top choice for a BYOB sushi dinner in Montreal. Led by Chef Yamamoto, it offers exceptional quality, an intimate setting, and the freedom to bring your own bottle for a perfect wine pairing.
Red works with sushi if you choose a light, low-tannin, fruity wine served chilled. Pinot Noir, Gamay and Cinsault are your best allies.
For Aji's new menu, bring a crisp, mineral white for the delicate pieces, and a light red or sake for the rich, aged pieces. BYOB corkage is 5$ per table. One versatile bottle often carries the whole meal.
Go for acid-driven whites in the $15 to $25 range. Chill before you arrive. For nigiri, lean mineral. For rolls, a touch more body is fine. For omakase, choose something that works across the whole meal.
Fresh, mineral, high-acid whites pair naturally with sushi. Chablis, Champagne, and Muscadet are your most reliable options. Avoid tannic reds and heavily oaked whites.
Sake has a natural cultural and chemical affinity with sushi. White wine works beautifully when the fish is rich or fatty. Both are valid: the best choice depends on what you are eating and what you enjoy.
BYOB in Montréal is governed by a special permit. Most counters charge no corkage fee, but a few simple rules apply: chill your white before you arrive, keep quantities reasonable, and let the staff handle service.
