Resy’s Guide to Wine to Go in Charleston
It’s late summer in Charleston, and while Lowcountry restaurant wine lists are as good as ever — yes, despite the challenging months of limitations from COVID-19 — you also may want a bottle, or a case, for home.
Luckily, changes in local laws prompted by the pandemic have allowed restaurants and bars in South Carolina to offer both delivery of beer and wine, and sell bottles to go. (Sales of hard alcohol remain limited to state stores.) That means you can access many local lists for selections to enjoy in your own backyard, in addition to the city’s top wine shops. Here are some top spots where you can place an order.
DASHI
Dashi is still offering a forward-thinking Iberian selection to go with its Asian-fusion small plates, everything from Aphros’ Phaenus, a vinho verde pét-nat, to the Los Bermejos rosato from the Canary Islands. Order here.
EDMUND’S OAST EXCHANGE
Nothing will beat having a bear at E.O. at sundown, but its sibling wine shop not only has its usual extensive wine selection, it also is offering exclusive wine consultations by reservation, via Resy. Manager Sarah O’Kelley and her team are equally enthusiastic about Austrian riesling, affordable Bordeaux, and everything in between. And they’ll walk you through assembling a perfect order. Book a time slot, discuss what you like, and pick up a perfect case.
GRAFT
Femi Oyediran, Miles White and their team have been making the most of online ordering and curbside delivery at their justifiably lauded shop in uptown. To use a word that gets overused a bit — there’s impressive curation here: serious wines, like the Quatre Vis chardonnay from Domaine des Marnes Blanches in the Jura or Love Drunk Rosé from Oregon micronégociant Mouton Noir. But the vibe is always upbeat and engaging, as evidenced by their regular playlists. More info here.
THE GROCERY
The Go-Cery continues, and with sundries like dilly beans and hummus are bottles such as Abbazia di Novacella kerner from Alto Adige, AR Lenoble Champagne, and Matthiasson’s Linda Vista, the wine that will make you reconsider whatever you think of Napa chardonnay. More here.
HALLS CHOPHOUSE
With locations in both downtown Charleston and Nexton in Summerville, you can easily pick up both their upscale cuisine and a bottle from a collection of whites, reds and sparkling wine. Call (843)-727-0090 to place an order.
LITTLE JACK’S TAVERN
Yes, you can still get the burger to go (in addition to tk seating), and yes, with wine — a selection that includes savvy picks like sauvignon blanc from François Chidaine in the Loire and Poe Ultraviolet cabernet from Napa. More here.
NICO OYSTERS AND SEAFOOD
Along with raw oysters, coq au vin and duck cassoulet, fans of this Mount Pleasant bistro can enjoy their favorite bottle for home. Order here.
THE ORDINARY
Both indoor and outdoor seating at Mike Lata’s irresistible ode to seafood make it hard to resist heading down to King Street for dinner, but nearly all the good things — barbecue white shrimp, fish schnitzel — are also available to go. And that extends to a very A-list wine selection for takeout, with swank Champagne picks like Mouzon-Leroux, Loibenberg smaragd riesling from Alzinger in the Wachau, and Anthill Farms pinot noir from California. More here.
RED DRUM
Red Drum continues to offer curbside wine pickup from their list of largely familiar names — with a little something from everywhere. Order here.
SKINS & STEMS
The North Charleston wine bar has a seriously strong takeout game with its tightly edited selection of wines, essentially priced at retail — which means Robert Chevillon Passetoutgrain (gamay-pinot noir blend) from Burgundy for $32, Printemps rosé for $12, and plenty more. List here.
SORGHUM & SALT
With carryout orders, this creative farm-to-table spot is ready to help you pair wines with its special to-go menu, which includes everthing from a shrimp roll on a milk bun to a short-rib dinner for two. Wine options range from Vieux Télégraphe’s Telegramme red from Châteauneuf to assyrtiko from Santorini. More info here.
