Valentine’s Day is a love-hate holiday, but I always love it whether I’m flying solo or totally enamored. A day dedicated to love, whether for an S/O or just some good ol’ self-love (spa day, anyone?), Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to indulge in some luxurious wine pairings. Get your inspo here now so you’re not caught off guard when it’s time to celebrate!
Spending the night in, drinking wine with a loved one? Kudos!
Alone? Even better – the only unrealistic expectation you’ll have is that you’re “only having two glasses” of that bottle of Merlot.
Whatever your V-Day sitch is, these three wine pairings will be sure to inspire your use of the heart-eyes emoji.
1. Port and Chocolate-Covered Strawberries Slay for Valentine’s Day
Similar to how people are wrong to pair a dry Champagne with their wedding cake, a dry red wine and chocolate DO NOT GO TOGETHER. I repeat, red wine does not bring anything to the table when it comes to drinking it with chocolate. I know it “feels right” and they’re put together so often it feels like a tradition, but your palate is really missing out a much better experience – the velvety, rich marriage of a Port with chocolate. Port is a fortified red wine, meaning it’s full-bodied, has higher sugar content, and drinks almost like a liquor. It still maintains that fruity wine flavor which makes it an all-star pairing with chocolate-covered strawberries. A solid bargain option is this bottle from Trader Joe’s: Evenus Port Dessert Wine, $9.99
2. Champagne and Popcorn for a Festive Night Solo or With Friends
Odds are, your plans will involve watching some cheesy rom-com. Don’t sit there soberly eating popcorn with your movie like a fool. Pour a glass of Champagne for yourself (and your beau, if applicable). The fizzy-ness offers a satisfying cut through that delicious buttery, greasiness of the popcorn. Grab a bottle and some ‘corn and pop, pop b*tches.
3. Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiitake Mushrooms to Wow Your S/O
If I had a dollar for every couple having a fancy steak dinner for Valentine’s Day, I could pay off my generation’s student loans. Whether you prefer to be a friend of the animals and the planet by avoiding meat, or simply want to try something new, an awesome alternative is shiitake “steak”. A notorious combo, tannin and umami perform a stellar show conveyed through Cab Sauv and Shiitake mushrooms. Interested? You can read more about how to execute this specific pairing in a previous post by clicking here.
You can read more about why certain foods pair well with specific wines in a previous post by clicking here.
Sydney is a 29-year old American living between France and Italy. She has a WSET Level 2 certification in wine, along with a degree in environmental engineering and an MBA. She loves exploring local farmer’s markets, haunting her favorite wine bar, and discovering new restaurants.
Absolutely LOVE these ideas. Already planning for next Valentine’s Day. And anything with chocolate covered strawberries is must try in my book ❤️