12 Perfect Wines for Valentine's Day
While I’m not a big fan of most kitschy holidays, I have always enjoyed Valentine’s Day because it involves three of my favorite things...flowers, chocolate, and wine. Did you think I was gonna say love??
I put together this list because I’m always looking for another thing to look forward to these days, so I hope this wine list gets you pumped. Whether you’re planning a date night at home, a virtual Galentine’s celebration, or a much-deserved self-care day, I’ve got the perfect wine in mind for you!
By the way, if you don’t have plans yet or you’re on the hunt for a unique gift idea, book a wine tasting with me or purchase a gift card! Make sure you book before February 14, 2022, and use code VDAY15 for 15% off. Nothing says “I love you” like giving the gift of wine (and wine knowledge).
12 Perfect Wines for Valentine’s Day
Along with these wine recommendations for different occasions, I suggested some of my favorite food pairings for these bottles. Whether you’re supporting a local restaurant or cooking yourself a fancy meal, at least one of these bottles is perfect for you.
No matter how you plan to celebrate this year, I’ve got your wine list covered!
best wines For a valentine’s day date night in
For a date night at home, I’ve picked out some of my favorite bottles to share over cheese boards, takeout meals, and Netflix. So, support a local restaurant, grab a few bottles of wine, and enjoy!
Piper Sonoma Brut Rosé, Sonoma, CA
This sparkling rosé is the best way to kick off your evening, not only because it really makes you feel like you’re celebrating something, but I also believe bubbly is perfect for pairing with appetizers. If you’re serving up a cheese and charcuterie board, pop this bottle to go along with it, then bring out the big guns for dinner.
This Piper Sonoma Brut Rosé is made using the traditional method, meaning it’s produced in the same way as Champagne (more on that here). This means you get all the toasty, brioche-y goodness of Champagne, but at half the price! The rosé component adds lots of plush red fruits and some pretty floral notes, and also it is pink in case you care about sticking with the holiday theme. ;)
Siro Pacenti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Pelagrilli, Montalcino, Italy
Besides the fact that this is an incredible wine, the real reason I added it to this list is because our go-to takeout for date night usually involves Italian food (pizza, pasta, eggplant parm, you name it), and this wine is my favorite for pairing with Italian takeout!
This Siro Pacenti Brunello di Montalcino is 100% Sangiovese, which is a grape that pairs best with red sauce pastas and pizza. Its high acid makes it the ultimate palate cleanser for this type of meal, and the tannins of this big wine are softened when served alongside some Italian classics.
While this bottle is more of a splurge, what better excuse to buy you and your loved one a nice bottle than for Valentine’s Day? I promise, you won’t regret it.
Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, CA
If you’re keeping it basic (no judgment) and cooking up a steak for two, this is your wine. Or if you’re picking up some burgers, this wine is also for you.
This Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon is big, bold, and warms you from the inside out - perfect for a cold evening spent in the comfort of your home! It pairs best with bold meals like steak, stews, and roasts, but if you avoid red meats like me, try this wine with aged cheeses or mushroom dishes.
Plus, has a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley ever led you in the wrong direction? Nothing says romance like a bottle of Napa Cab.
Dutton Estate Cherry Ridge Vineyard Syrah, Russian River Valley, CA
If you’re looking to spice things up a bit for date night, go with a Syrah. Syrah is one of the spicier grapes - it usually has beautiful black pepper notes, or sweet baking spices like cloves and cinnamon.
This Dutton Estate Syrah is full of black fruits, cocoa powder, baking spices, pepper, and vanilla. It’s velvety and full-bodied, perfect for pairing with BBQ, braised meats, duck, or grilled veggies. I also love a glass of Syrah post-dinner with some nice cheeses or dark chocolate.
best wines For a Virtual Galentine’s Day Celebration
I love an excuse to get together with my gals and drink wine! Why not have a virtual reunion and have everyone pick up the same bottle of wine? Better yet, I’ll lead a wine tasting for you!
Either way, I chose these wines for Galentine’s Day because these are my favorite types of wine to sip while catching up with my best girlfriends. They’re easy-drinking, refreshing, and some are made by women...cheers to that!
Image by K&L Wine Merchants
Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier, Napa, CA
I chose this wine for your Galentine’s get-together because I have yet to come across someone who doesn’t love this one. It’s so refreshing and easy to love, plus it’s widely available (and affordable) in case your girlfriends are spread out across the country.
The Pine Ridge blend of Chenin Blanc and Viognier is the most genius accident to ever happen. The result is a light-bodied wine, full of tropical and stone fruits, that pairs well with just about anything. I love a chilled bottle of this with takeout Thai or Indian food, sushi, or goat cheese.
Cox Family Vineyards Boeket Rosé of Carignane, Mendocino, CA
I’ll start with the obvious and say this wine is perfect for your Galentine’s celebration because of the label. If you’re trying to stick within the Valentine’s Day theme, look no further than this stunning bottle!
Not only is this wine aesthetically pleasing, it’s also made with certified organic grapes. It’s also so smooth, refreshing, and easy-to-drink. Serve this Cox Vineyards Boeket Rosé on its own, or pair it with cheese, charcuterie, and other light appetizers.
What’s more? The winery is run by a team of sisters, so you and your ladies can raise a glass to women doing badass things.
Vara Silverhead Brut Rosada Cava, Spain
Popping a bottle of bubbly is my favorite way to celebrate with friends.
This Vara Rosada Cava is refreshing and vibrant, with notes of red berries, strawberries, and red apples. Pair this with a cheese board for optimal enjoyment.
You can raise a glass to the women in your life, and subsequently enjoy this delicious bottle of sparkling wine from Spain.
Parés Baltà Mas Petit, Penedès, Spain
Here’s another wine made by women because us ladies can’t support each other enough.
This Mas Petit red blend by Parés Baltà is so easy-drinking...you won’t have trouble finishing the bottle. It’s one of those smooth, medium-bodied reds you can absolutely drink on its own, but I love to pair this one with tapas, Spanish cheeses and charcuterie, and also pizza.
The blend is almost 50/50 Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon, resulting in a wine bursting with black and red fruits, some oak, and vanilla. Not to mention, it’s vegan and made organically, using biodynamic practices and minimal intervention.
best wines For a treat-your-self night on valentine’s day
Valentine’s Day is supposed to be a celebration of love, and let’s be real, self-love is the most important. It’s been a rough few years - grab yourself a bottle, order Postmates, and veg on the couch like nothing else matters. You deserve it.
Piper Sonoma Brut, Sonoma County, CA
Raise a glass to yourself!! I love an excuse to pop a bottle of bubbly I’ve been saving, and what better excuse than to celebrate yourself?
Piper Sonoma Brut is also made using the traditional Champagne Method (see more on why that matters here), just like their rosé, so you’ll get similar champagne flavors like toasted bread and dough, but this bottle is so reasonably priced! Its fresh acidity makes it ideal for pairing with fatty dishes like creamy pastas and fried chicken...you’re treating yourself, remember?
Cox Family Vineyards Boeket Sauvignon Blanc, Mendocino, CA
It’s like buying yourself a bouquet of fresh flowers, but much better because it’s wine.
This Cox Family Vineyards Boeket Sauvignon Blanc is made with organic grapes, and a touch of oak makes it a really unique Sauvy B. It’s refreshing and lively, with flavors of citrus, pear, and green apple.
When I’m treating myself, one of my favorite meals to order in is sushi, and this wine would match deliciously with a few sushi rolls. Also, anything with goat cheese is a magic pairing for Sauv Blanc.
Dutton Estate Manzana Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, CA
Just because you’re having a night to yourself doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get a nice bottle.
This Dutton Estate Pinot Noir is elegant and full of finesse, just like you. Treat yourself with this classy red wine, bursting with dark red fruits, sweet spices, and tobacco. It’s the perfect wine to remind yourself that you are worth it.
I love pairing Pinot Noir with anything involving mushrooms (stuffed mushrooms, mushroom pizza, risotto, etc.), but it’s also delicious with grilled salmon, or just on its own.
Hammersky Vineyards Susie Switchblade, Paso Robles, CA
Okay, I’m a realist so I had to end with this wine. I know Valentine’s Day isn’t always lovey-dovey and sometimes you might hate the day more than any other (we’ve all been there). This wine is for you.
Not only is Susie Switchblade a great companion for ruminating on (and regretting) every decision you’ve ever made in your love life, but it’s also the ultimate couch-pounder wine. It’s a medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon blend (not the big ones from CA that you’re used to), and it’s full of bright red fruits, cherry cola, cinnamon, and notes of smoky bourbon.
I also love that such a classy, elegant winery produces this rebellious wine because it reveals a bit about the winemaker’s personality.
So blast your favorite teen angst album and enjoy Susie’s company. Valentine’s Day will be over before you know it.
I hope you enjoyed this list of wines to drink on Valentine’s Day, no matter what your plans are! If you end up grabbing any of these bottles for the occasion, let me know in the comments below.
Also, it’s not too late to book a wine tasting with me for your Valentine’s Day celebration!
Ready to further your wine education? Enroll in a WSET class today and use code LexiStephens for a discount.
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