Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner at home or having dinner at an upscale restaurant with your significant other, choosing the right bottle of wine will make your Valentine’s Day experience more memorable.
2016 Justin Justification
The 2016 Justification is perfect for a romantic dinner. Red wine increases sexual arousal in both men and women. Yes, the same stuff that can prevent us from becoming obese, lower our risk of diabetes, prevent memory loss, help battle depression, is good for our hearts and we now find out it also turns us on.
This wine is a blend of 57% Merlot, and 43% Cabernet Franc. This wine expresses the spirit of a few right bank French Bordeaux producers who highlight Cabernet Franc with its complex expression of herbs, red fruit and elegant structure, only with a Paso Robles twist of full, mature fruit. Medium plus to full-bodied, dry, with ripe cherry and cassis mixed with baking spice on entry joined by cedar and oak on the mid-palate with complex savory, herbal elements. The finish is long, balanced and clean, with returning red and black fruit and perfectly proportioned, fine, mouth-filling tannins. This bottle pairs well with a wide range of dishes. Try it with rotisserie chicken, duck confit, or a pan seared steak.
You can find this bottle from $55 -$60.00
Louis Bouillot Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Rosé
Forget the Roses, bring Rosé. You won’t need to break the bank to get a rosé that matches the quality of your relationship. A cheap red will give itself away easily but rosé will hold your wallet down, because it’s awesome like that.
This Rosé from Louis Bouillot Crémant de Bourgogne comes from Burgundy, France. It is a sophisticated Rosé made using the Champagne method from Pinot Noir grapes. Pale rose in color with a medium-body and fine bubbles. The bouquet and palate features cherry and strawberry notes with a dry creamy finish. Superb with salmon, shrimp and lobster.
You can find this bottle for under $20.00
2017 Unánime Mascota Vineyard Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is a well balanced and versatile choice for most Valentine’s Day celebrations. It’s not too heavy, so it won’t overwhelm you. Pinot Noir is known to be a food friendly wine. It pairs well with most meat and cheese dishes or can be enjoyed on its own. Below I share two of my favorite bottles.
The Unánime Pinot Noir from Uco Valley is one of my favorite bottles. This wine was aged in French oak barrels for 12 months to obtain supple tannins and added complexity. A nose of candied berries and subtle spice leads to smooth tannins and rich black fruit flavors on the palate.
You can find this bottle for under $25.00
2016 Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
This Pinot from Patz & Hall from Sonoma County shows piercing aromas and flavors of dried flowers, sassafras, cranberry, salty ocean air, dried mushrooms and distant campfire. Typical of this vineyard, as it ages it is shifting from its adolescent savory tones to overtly high-tone and fruity. This wine pairs well with pork, roast lamb, beef, wild mushroom risotto.
You can find this bottle for $45.00
2016 Juvé & Camps Reserva De La Familia Cava
There are many things you could drink for Valentine’s Day, but in terms of romantic reliability, Champagne or sparkling wine always wins. Below is one of my favorites Sparkling wines.
This 2016 Cava Reserva De La Familia from Juvé & Camps is deep, intense and elegant. Initially it evokes notes of ripe white fruit. It complexity gradually increases and the aroma of typical long ageing then appear. You’ll get hints of toast and citrus in the background. It’s creamy mousse is perfectly integrated on the palate making it’s texture in the mouth simultaneously fresh, rounded and evocative. Cava is a very versatile wine. It pairs well with oysters, cheese, creamy pastas or my favorite, Chinese food.
You can find this bottle for under $25.00
Cheers & Happy Valentines
Rosa Chalekian 