Valentines Day Wines
Valentine’s Day has long been associated with grand gestures and sentimental traditions, but at its core, it’s simply an occasion to slow down and share something meaningful. Few things do this as effortlessly as wine. Whether opening a bottle for a quiet dinner at home or selecting something special to toast an evening out, the right choice enhances the moment without needing fanfare. This year, rather than reaching for the predictable, I have chosen 8 wines that you might not ordinarily choose - it is good to be adventurous after all!
STILL WINES
Incanta Feteasca Regala - £9.99 from Majestic
Discover together how good Romanian wines are with this delicious Incanta Feteasca Regala - a perfect balance of ripe fruit sweetness and crisp acidity, with elegant floral and blossomy aromas. 25% of this wine is aged with Transylvanian oak staves for 60 days which helps add further complexity and is a brilliant alternative to Pinot Grigio.
Moillard Bourgogne Gamay - £14 from Morrisons
Gamay from Burgundy often flies under the radar, but this one is well worth a look. Ripe blackcurrant and blackberry aromas lead into a soft, rounded palate with gentle tannins and a smooth finish with just a hint of pepper. It’s a versatile red, but it really shines with cheese. Try it with a baked Camembert, a hunk of Brie, or some goat’s cheese, ideally with fresh bread and a sweet red onion chutney.
Calvet Sancerre Rosé - £16.99 from Waitrose
This pale pink rosé is fresh yet layered, with delicate red berry aromas, some citrus notes and a soft, rounded palate. There’s a lovely balance here - bright acidity, gentle fruit, and a long, fresh finish. It’s a natural match for oysters, grilled prawns, and goat’s cheese, but it’s also the kind of wine you’ll want to sip in front of the TV watching a good movie.
L’Occhiolino Rosato £8.99 from Laithwaites
This crisp, lightly sparkling Rosato from Emilia-Romagna is packed with bright berry fruit and a refreshing zip of acidity. It’s made by the Cantina di Carpi e Sorbara co-op, a group of 1,200 growers farming over 2,300 hectares of vineyards around Modena.
A blend of Lambrusco Sorbara (80%) and Lambrusco Salamino (20%), this frizzante style pink sits at a highly drinkable 11% ABV.
CHAMPAGNE AND SPARKLING WINES
Champagne Drappier Brut Nature - £61 from The Whisky Exchange
The Brut Nature Michel Drappier is 100% Pinot Noir, with a beautiful nose and colour from the skin. It has zero dosage and is incredibly fresh, vibrant and fruity. Apricots, strawberries and Quince are all in abundance. I found it to be exceptional and perfectly suited to food. It is a gastronomic Champagne and worthy of any special occasion.
François Martenot Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé - £18 from Ocado
A proper crowd-pleaser, this pale pink Crémant delivers fine bubbles and subtle red berry flavours, with strawberry and citrus notes leading into a crisp, balanced finish. It’s an easy go-to for Valentine’s Day and looks wonderful in the glass.
Ferrari Perlé Rosé 2017 - £49.00 from Vivino
The Perlé Rosé has a salmon-pink hue, achieved through 15 hours of cold maceration under CO2 to prevent oxidation. The blend consists of 20% Pinot Noir rosé, 70% Blanc de Noirs, and 10% Chardonnay. Regular monitoring (every 30 minutes) during maceration ensures that the wine develops its signature flavour profile without any bitterness, resulting in a harmonious and refined rosé
Codorníu Grand Rosé Reserva 2021 - £23 from Decanatalo
A blend of Pinot Noir, Xarel-lo, and Trepat, this expressive rosé displays a beautiful light salmon hue. The nose is vibrant with raspberry, blackberry, and forest fruit aromas. On tasting, red fruits take centre stage, complemented by a creamy texture from the fine bubbles. The finish is fresh and elegant, with a smooth, lingering charm.
