Valentine’s Pairings
CHEERS TO LOVE.
Chocolate
Wine & chocolate are a classic gift duo for Valentine’s, but truth-be-told, the pairing can be a little tricky. Listen up. Dessert wines — port & sherry — are safe bets. Sweet with sweet. Your other good option is bubbly. The acidity cuts the sweetness, and they taste great together, so Champagne, Crémant, Prosecco & Cava… go to town!
Other options: an off-dry Riesling (especially with milk chocolate) would be a fun pairing. Again, this is sweet offsetting sweet for a match made in heaven. Sweeter bubbly like Moscato d’Asti would also be good. The dry intensity of dark chocolate can be tasty with a tannic red like Cabernet Sauvignon. Zinfandel is also a good option. It has some sweetness which allows it to pair well with some sweetness in foods whether that be chocolate, BBQ or spicy/sweet Asian fare.
Dinner for Two
Whether you're cooking at home or going out, here are some wine pairing ideas for Valentine's Day:
Oysters: Try a dry, minerally, French white. We recommend: Domaine de Chevilly 2022 Quincy (Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley) – Reg $26.99 | Mixed Case $21.59 or Cave de Pomerols 2022 Picpoul de Pinet (classic oyster wine from the French Mediterranean) – Reg $16.99 | Mixed Case $13.59 or bubbly!
Poulet Roti (roasted chicken where you have 30 minutes built in at the restaurant to have an appetizer or to just ogle at each other): Try a luscious white with a little oak: Woodward Canyon 2022 Chardonnay (Columbia Valley) – Reg 53.99 | Mixed Case $43.19 or Leth 2021 Grüner Veltliner (Austria) – Reg $22.99 | Mixed Case $18.39.
Steak & Frites: A bistro favorite, try: Domaine Brunely 2019 Vacqueyras (a lovely, fuller-bodied Southern Rhône Cru) – Reg $25.99 | Mixed Case $20.79 or a fun local red: TruthTeller 2020 The Clever Fool Cabernet Franc (Columbia Valley) – Reg $47.99 | Mixed Case $38.39.
Brussels Sprouts Gratin: Enjoy a lighter-bodied red with good acidity, like: Carpineto 2020 Chianti Classico (classic Sangiovese from Tuscany) – Reg $23.99 | Mixed Case $19.19 or Ken Wright 2022 Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, Oregon) – Reg $32.99 | Mixed Case $26.39
Or... scrap the food, have a cheers to love (pop: Thierry Triolet Champagne Rosé – Reg $53.99 | Mixed Case $43.19) and make out like crazy!
And more on that….
We have a great selection of bubbles to suit your Valentine’s needs. Stop by! We’ll look forward to hooking you up with the right wine at the right price. And we gift wrap for free!