11 Best Valentine's Day Wines for 2023
Spending a quiet evening at home is my favorite way to celebrate any holiday. You can avoid the crowds, spend less money, and have an elevated, relaxing night in. And Valentine’s Day is no exception to that.
Maybe you’re planning to hit the town, or you’re keeping it quiet this year. Either way you’re going to need a good bottle (or two) of wine.
And if you want to take your date-night-in or Galentine’s Party to the next level, book a virtual or in-person wine tasting with me for an educational and FUN experience.
In this post, I’m sharing my top wines to pop open on Valentine’s Day this year. What’s more? Wine is the perfect Valentine’s gift for a loved one or your best gal pals.
11 Best Valentine's Day Wines for 2023
Whether you’re celebrating with a romantic date night, lounging with your girlfriends, or just treating yourself, here are the best wines to celebrate Valentine’s Day with this year. Don’t worry, I’ve included links to purchase these festive bottles, and I also suggested some food pairing ideas to help you get inspired.
P.S. Some of these links are affiliate links which means if a purchase is made using the link provided, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
1. Stolpman Love You Bunches Rosé, Ballard Canyon, CA
If this isn’t the most on-the-nose wine for gifting this Valentine’s Day, then I don’t know what is.
What’s more? The juice inside is good stuff. 100% Carbonic Sangiovese. It’s vibrant and thirst-quenching with notes of strawberries, white peaches, and citrus.
Enjoy this bottle chilled on its own, or pair it with tacos, sushi, or any takeout.
2. Lucien Albrecht Cremant d'Alsace Brut, Alsace, France
Crémant is my favorite wine/life hack. It’s a sparkling wine that’s made in the same way as champagne, but it’s usually less than half the price and a far better value.
Bubbles are thoughtful, celebratory, and they pair marvelously with a variety of foods. Try this crémant with oysters, baked brie, or french fries.
3. Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA
Nothing says romance like a bold Cab. It’s like a warm hug from the inside out, and everyone deserves to feel loved this Valentine’s Day.
Cabernet is perfect if you’re planning to cook a steak, order pizza, or snack on charcuterie and cheese.
4. William Fevre Chablis Domaine, Burgundy, France
Chablis is a Chardonnay that will please everyone. No, trust me on this one. Whether you’re an ABC-er (anything but Chardonnay) or a #chardonnayallday type, you’ll love Chablis.
While yes, it is 100% Chardonnay, it’s often aged in stainless steel, so it isn’t as buttery or oaky as you might presume. It’s light-to-medium bodied and refreshing.
The high acidity and minerality in this wine make it ultra food-friendly. Pair your Chablis with grilled fish, chicken dishes, or oysters.
5. Siro Pacenti Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
If your love language is Italian food, there’s no better match than an Italian wine. Rosso di Montalcino is an ideal complement to red sauce pastas, pizzas, and meats.
What I love so much about it is that it hails from the same region as the famed Brunello di Montalcino, and it’s made from the same grape (Sangiovese), but it’s fruitier, more approachable, and not to mention, more affordable.
6. Dr. Loosen Bernkasteler Lay Kabinett, Mosel, Germany
For something sweet, try this off-dry Riesling from Germany’s Mosel Valley.
The Mosel Valley is my absolute favorite region for Riesling and this bottle does not disappoint. This wine is delicious with spicy foods or fruity desserts.
7. Maker Cabernet Pfeffer, Ser Winery, Cienega Valley, CA
If you’re celebrating by yourself this year or you don’t want to open a whole bottle, go for this Maker Cabernet Pfeffer. It’s unique, quaffable, and pairs well with Netflix.
This is an extremely special wine - there are only about 10 acres left of this grape in the world! “Pfeffer” means “pepper” in German, alluding to the wine’s hint of white pepper which complements its red berries and pomegranate notes. It’s the perfect wine to spice things up with this Valentine’s Day.
Try this Cab Pfeff with steak au poivre, chicken, or lamb.
8. sandhi Pinot noir, santa rita hills, ca
Nothing says romance like a bottle of the sexiest wine out there. You guessed it, I’m talking about Pinot Noir. She’s smooth. She’s sultry. She’s elegant.
Santa Barbara makes some of my favorite Pinot Noir from California. It’s giving balsamic-glazed strawberries dusted with cinnamon.
This is a medium-bodied wine that you can chill and drink alone, or serve with grilled salmon or stuffed mushrooms.
9. J Dusi Zinfandel, Paso Robles, CA
This is a hot wine…and I mean that quite literally. If you’re looking to turn up the heat this Valentine’s Day, Zinfandel typically has an alcohol content upwards of 14.5%.
With notes of blackberry pie filling, chocolate, and a touch of spice, this wine is delicious with beef stews, BBQ, or aged cheeses.
It also comes in a Maker can that’s made for one (or maybe a picnic date)!
10. Vinicola Serena Luca Paretti Prosecco Rose Brut
New to the rosé scene, Prosecco makes some fruity and approachable sparkling pink wine that would be perfect for a Galentine’s get-together, or for kicking off a romantic evening.
As I mentioned, sparkling wines go well with most foods, but I particularly like Prosecco rosé with a strawberry goat cheese salad, creamy pasta, or brunch.
11. Sandeman Fine Ruby Port
Port is a fortified dessert wine from Portugal. Due to its sugar content and higher alcohol, you only need a small glass to complement your chocolate covered strawberries. It also tastes amazing with blue cheese, if that’s more your vibe.
If you taste any of these Valentine’s Day wines or food pairings, let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
And don’t forget to book a virtual or in-person (SoCal) wine tasting with me to throw the ultimate Valentine’s Day party or surprise your sweetheart with a thoughtful gift (I also sell gift cards!)
Next up: Check out this post about the best wines for beginners.
Ready to further your wine education? Enroll in a WSET class today and use code LexiStephens for a discount.
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