Best Valentine's Day Wines (with Food Pairings!)

Valentine’s Day has a not so lovey-dovey history. On February 14 of different years back in the 3rd century A.D., the Romans executed two men by the name of St. Valentine. This date also marks the ancient Roman celebration of the feast of Lupercalia – which we won’t go into detail about here. In short, it was a pagan ritual that eventually evolved into a more tame celebration of fertility and love.

As years passed, the holiday grew even sweeter. Fast-forward to the middle ages, in Shakespeare's Hamlet, Ophelia called herself Hamlet’s Valentine. “Tomorrow is Saint Valentine’s day. All in the morning bedtime, And I a maid at your window, To be your Valentine.”

Today we often celebrate with wine, chocolate, and indulgent meals. The pairing of wine and love, in particular, dates back to Greco-Roman mythology when the god of wine, Dionysus, and the goddess of love, Aphrodite, had an affair. So, on this holiday dedicated to love, why not have some wine? If you’re still looking for the perfect bottle, we share some of our favorite Valentine’s Day wines below.

Start a Valentine’s Day tradition

Before we get into the wines, let’s talk about traditions! With a Coravin Timeless wine preservation system, you can preserve your wines for weeks, months, and years. If you dread Valentine’s Day or are always scrambling for something special to do, invest in a special bottle and enjoy one glass every time February 14th comes around. This will give you something to look forward to each year.

6 Valentine’s Day wines

Red, white, sparkling – they’re all here. Make Valentine’s Day special by exploring new wine – or wines! With a Coravin system, you can tap into more than one bottle at once, allowing you to pair one wine with appetizers, one wine with dinner, and one wine with dessert (dinner and dessert suggestions below).

1. NV Domaine Rolet Pere et Fils Cremant du Jura Rosé

This sparkling rosé is the perfect combination of fruitiness and freshness, with it floral notes and apple, red currant, and pomegranate flavors. Its salmon-pink color fits right in the Valentine’s Day mood.

2. Le Domaine d'Édouard Crémant de Bourgogne Les Collines De Vaux

Looking for an affordable Champagne? This Le Domaine d'Édouard Crémant de Bourgogne Les Collines De Vaux develops fruity, floral, citrus, and light honey notes and has a long, fresh finish. Get a bottle for $30 and preserve it for up to 4 weeks with Coravin Sparkling.

3. 2013 Serego Alighieri Vaio Armaron Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

Amarone – one of the most romantic wines out there, from Romeo and Juliet’s region, Veneto, Italy. What makes these wines so rich, powerful, and, most importantly, so unique? After harvest, the grapes are left to dry all winter, concentrating their sugars, flavors, and alcohol levels. The 2013 Serego Alighieri Vaio Armaron Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is a majestic wine with great structure, elegant fruity and spicy notes, and notes of cacao, dried plums, and cherries.

4. 2013 Sektkellerei Christian Madl Von Weissen Sekt

Sekt is Austria's version of sparkling wine. It rivals Champagne and typically comes in at a lower price point. The 2013 Sektkellerei Christian Madl Von Weissen Sekt is incredibly fragrant with aromas of yellow peach and nectarine, then flavors of ripe citrus and green almond.

5. 2018 Terrazas de los Andes Malbec Mendoza

Try this 2018 Terrazas de los Andes Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina. Its deep ruby with dark purple hues exhibits elegant floral notes, leading to a full-bodied mouthful of rich, spicy black fruit. The wine has a lively finish which reflects the aging in French and American oak barrels.

6. 2019 Mayacamas Mt Veeder Chardonnay

Up next is the first Chardonnay on the list, 2019 Mayacamas Mt. Veeder Chardonnay from California. The wine opens with aromatics of acacia and jasmine supported by a lovely fruit set of ripe pear, tart pineapple, and fresh cantaloupe. On the palate, taste lemon oil, almond, and chamomile. The long finish with notes of tropical and orchard fruits will linger just like you want your Valentine's evening to. Pair this wine with aphrodisiac oysters on half shells, pan-seared fish, herbed roasted chicken, or even pasta with a rich cream sauce.

Seared steak recipe

Ingredients for steak

• 2 (12-oz) grass-fed New York strip steaks

• 1 tsp kosher salt

• 3/4 tsp fresh cracked black pepper

• 2 Tbsp butter

• 2 garlic cloves, diced

Directions

1. Bring steaks to room temperature. Season meat liberally with kosher salt and cracked black pepper. Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet, preferably cast iron, on high for several minutes and open your windows or your vent. Once the pan is searing hot, add steak. Don’t move it around. Cook for 3 minutes until browned, flip and cook for another 3 minutes. Check internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer: 120 to 125°F for medium-rare or 130°F for medium.

2. Once desired temperature is reached, turn heat to medium-low and add butter and garlic to the pan. As butter melts, baste steak by flipping it in pooled liquid a few times or spooning it over top.

3. Remove steaks from pan and let rest ten minutes. Serve steak with remaining butter from pan drizzled over top. Pair with roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, or a side salad.

Enjoying one of these Valentine’s Day wines or this special meal? Share it with us on social, @Coravin.