3 Easy Valentine's Day Wine and Food Pairings
For me, the best Valentine’s Day wine and food pairings are simple and delicious, yet elevated. And these three appetizer recipes and wine pairings are just that.
You can easily choose one of these recipes and wine pairings to serve before a meal, or make all three to create the ultimate wine and snack night for any Galentine’s Day or V-day celebration.
Keep reading this post to find the full recipes for all three appetizers, along with wine recommendations for each variety, and discover why these food and wine pairings work so well.
3 Easy Valentine's Day Wine and Food Pairings
The photos used in this post were styled, photographed, and edited by the talented Thomfoolery Design Co.
You might be wondering, “What wine do people drink on Valentine’s Day?” And while there’s no right or wrong answer here, I like to suggest choosing a wine based on the meal you’re planning to eat.
For example, if you’re staying in to grill some steaks or burgers, go for a bold red wine with high tannins, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, or Malbec. If you’re keeping it light with takeout sushi, creamy pasta, or something vegetarian, choose a crisp white wine like Albariño or Champagne. And lastly, if you’re sharing something romantic like chocolate covered strawberries or a charcuterie and cheese board, pour up something sweeter like port or an off-dry prossecco.
My favorite way to entertain is to serve an array of appetizers as the meal, along with plenty of wine styles, so there’s something for everyone. These quick, easy appetizer recipes are perfect for a date for two, girls-night-in, or a dinner party.
Whether you’re hosting a Galentine’s Day get-together or staying in with your honey on Valentine’s Day, here are three easy appetizers and wine pairings that are sure to impress.
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1. Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus Paired with Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect wine for serving with tough-to-pair foods like asparagus. The herbaceous notes in the glass complement the veggies, and the salty prosciutto brings out the wine’s notes of kiwi, grapefruit, and green melon.
Ingredients:
Asparagus
Prosciutto
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Lemon
Parmigiano Reggiano
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 425F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Toss asparagus in olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Wrap 2-3 sprigs of asparagus in one slice of prosciutto. Repeat until baking sheet is full.
Roast for about 15 minutes, or until prosciutto is crispy and asparagus is tender.
Top with a squeeze of lemon and Parmigiano Reggiano.
Sauvignon Blanc wines to try:
2. Strawberry mozzarella skewers paired with rosé
With notes of fresh strawberries, rosé is the ideal companion for these festive apps. When pairing cheese with rosé, go for something mild, like mozzarella, which won’t overpower the wine’s delicate fruity and floral flavors.
Ingredients:
Strawberries
Small mozzarella balls
Basil
Balsamic glaze
Instructions:
Cut strawberries in half.
Assemble skewers in order of one half strawberry, one mozzarella cheese ball, followed by another strawberry half. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
Top with balsamic glaze and fresh basil for garnish.
Rosé wines to try:
3. cheddar and apple cracker bites paired with chardonnay
A balanced Chardonnay’s notes of pear, apple, and vanilla are highlighted when paired with a sharper cheese like white cheddar, and the salty sweet bites are a perfect match for the wine’s creamy palate and toasty finish.
Ingredients:
Crackers
Trader Joe’s Unexpected Cheddar (or any white cheddar)
Apple slices
Fresh thyme
Honey
Instructions:
Assemble crackers with apple slices and cheese.
Top with honey and fresh thyme.
Chardonnay to try:
If you’re a visual learner, here’s a video of all three appetizers and wine pairings, along with some inspiration for your Valentine’s Day tablescape.
I hope this post inspires you to get creative with some food and wine pairings for Valentine’s Day! Please let me know in the comments if you give any of these recipes a try.
If you enjoyed this post, check out my BBQ Chicken Baked Taquitos recipe that pairs perfectly with Merlot and game day.
If you’d like to learn more about how to taste wine like a pro and get to know your palate on a deeper level, book an in-person or virtual wine tasting with me. And if you interested in trying new wines, you’d love my Wine Tasting Club - it’s like a book club, but for virtual wine tastings.
For more wines to try, see this list of the 11 best wines for beginners. Or sign up for my free Weekly Wine Reviews for my unfiltered ratings, tasting notes, and food pairing suggestions for bottles you can grab on your next grocery run.
Ready to further your wine education? Enroll in a WSET class today and use code LexiStephens for a discount.
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