Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, making it the perfect excuse to enjoy a romantic meal paired with fine wines. Whether planning an intimate home-cooked dinner or booking a table at a fancy restaurant, the right wine choice can elevate the occasion. Read on for expert tips on selecting wines to complement your Valentine’s dishes.
A Cosy Night In
If you’re staying in this 14 February, keep things classic with a starter of oysters followed by fillet steak. As wine expert Jancis Robinson notes, “Oysters love the racy tang of Muscadet, Chablis or albariño.” For the fillet, a rich, full-bodied red like Amarone della Valpolicella or a mature Rioja Reserva marries beautifully with the intense flavours of the beef.
When serving, allow red wines to breathe for an hour and chill whites well. Robinson recommends serving reds “at cool room temperature” and whites “at about 10-12°C”. Pour your partner a taste first so they can appreciate the bouquet before the first sip. Cosy lighting, soft music and a tactile tablecloth complete the romantic scene.
Dining Out
Booking a table at a restaurant takes the effort out of preparations so you can both relax and enjoy. When selecting wines from the list, sommelier Anita Bordbar of Gordon Ramsay’s Claridge’s restaurant suggests considering complementary textures and weights. “Delicate seafood dishes cry out for zesty, high-acid wines like Muscadet sur lie or Albariño that won’t overpower the subtle flavours.”
With cream- or cheese-based dishes, the fuller body of oaked Chardonnay or even a light red like Pinot Noir works well. “The velvety tannins envelop and lift the richness of the sauce”, adds Bordbar. Just take care not to overpower more delicately spiced dishes with an overly heavy red.
Sweet Treats
Finish off your meal by sharing a decadent dessert with sweet wine pairings. The concentrated sugars and acidity of Sauternes or Monbazillac balance rich chocolate confections. For fresh berries, Bordbar suggests pink sparkling wines like Spanish Cava Rosado. “The touch of sweetness mingles deliciously with the fruit.” Or try the honeyed lusciousness of Royal Tokaji Aszú with baked apple delicacies.
Whatever you choose, take time to savour each sip and enjoy every moment together. After all, Valentine’s Day comes but once a year! Here’s to celebrating with fine food, wine and most importantly, love.