Every year wineries, sommeliers, wine blogs, and almost everyone in the wine trade release their top 5, 10, or 25 best Valentine’s Day wines. For 2020, choose something different. We propose 10 fun dates paired with a fantastic wine. Each wine is rated 90+. We’ve added a bonus of 3 more options for a Baker’s dozen!
- Cooking Date - 2016 Nesios Cabernet-Sangiovese Super Tuscan IGT
A stellar wine without the stratospheric price. Nesios shimmers ruby in the glass and pairs well with many dishes from your favorite Italian to a savory Argentine barbecue.
An elegant blend of 50% Sangiovese and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, this mid-weight, balanced wine will entice your date to savor the dinner, and your company.
- Sunset or Sunrise, Your Choice - 2017 El Enemigo Chardonnay Mendoza
Enjoy a gorgeous, complex Chardonnay, from a master winemaker, while watching the sunrise or sunset together. Your date will be stunned by this remarkable new style of Chardonnay.
Alejandro Vigil, who perfected his skills at the premier winery, Catena Zapata, likes disruption. He made the wine in the Fino style of Sherry, fermenting it under a cap of wild yeast called ‘flor.’
You’ll find a bit of saltiness balanced with honey and toast over a dense palate with a long finish. Try finding another wine of such character at a reasonable price.
- Romantic Movie - 2014 Beaulieu Vineyard Private Reserve Georges de Latour Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Pair your favorite classic Hollywood movie with a classic California Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, the perfect match. From Napa's first "cult" winery (at a less than cult price,) this beautiful winery holds a distinguished place in California wine history.
Georges de Latour built the winery, but the magic later appeared in the form of famous winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff. An exceptional wine, the Private Reserve is a blend of Rutherford AVA Cabernet Sauvignon 93%, Petit Verdot 4%, and Merlot 3%.
Fresh, balanced, and layered, its great structure will thrill your date through the end of the movie.
- Eco/Healthy Date - NV Barone Pizzini Animante Brut Franciacorta Lombardy DOCG
A sparkling wine of Italian royalty, Animante is the first organic and biodynamic winery in the region. Focusing on natural farming, low intervention, and transparency, the wine genuinely reveals its place.
Animante is sourced from 25 vineyards near the Alps, revealing a blend of depth, complexity, harmony, and elegance. A blend of 78% Chardonnay, 18% Pinot Nero, 4% Pinot Bianco, you’ll be drinking a Champagne quality wine without the Champagne price.
Celebrate your love of natural wines together with Franciacorta.
- Dessert - 2003 or 2004 Chateau de Suronde Quartes de Chaume Grand Cru Sweet Chenin Blanc 500ml
A gorgeous wine at half the usual price. Vineyards are organic and biodynamic, and produce an unctuous wine that is fresh and balanced, with hints of sweet summer peaches and pears.
The wine is only produced in the best vintages. Pair it with fruit desserts, foie gras, or strong cheeses. Deeply satisfying, you might forget to share it!
Slip into the white terry robe, step into the slippers, and pour a glass of chilled Champagne. A spa date can’t get any better!
From a 4th generation Champagne house founded in 1930, the wine comes from the Premier Cru villages of Villers-Marmery and Montbré. This Champagne is 100% Chardonnay and shows chalkiness from the soil and a toasty minerality.
Chilled Champagne and a warm spa date: a heavenly match in the cold of winter.
- Nature - 2015 Brotte Secret de Barville Chateauneuf du Pape
Whether strolling through a garden, walking your dogs together, or paddling down a local creek, this wine is a great value, so you won’t break the bank while charming your date.
The blend is 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, which gives the wine a deep ruby color. A full-bodied yet supple wine, consider bringing along some earthy cheese or chocolate mousse.
Secret de Barville will invite you both to linger awhile in the garden.
- Out of This World - 2013 Gaja Brunello di Montalcino Santa Restituta MAGNUM 1.5
Make it a double date and visit your local planetarium or aquarium. Share an out of this world magnum of a singular wine from a world-class producer.
The famous Gaja family came to Piemonte, Italy, from Spain in the 17th century, purchasing the Tuscan property in 1994. The Sangiovese is a blend of several estate vineyards.
Your guests will delight in the ruby color and the fresh and savory notes. Serve with a traditional Italian steak dinner for an evening everyone will long remember.
- French Bistro Date - 2010 Vidal Fleury Cote Rotie Chatillonne Cote Blonde
Nothing expresses Valentine’s Day quite like an intimate French bistro-style dinner, preferably at home. Or you can bring the wine to your favorite local place.
Founded in 1781, Vidal-Fleury is the Rhône’s oldest continuing grower/négociant firm. With limited production, the wine is 88% Syrah and 12% Viognier. With an alluring bouquet of violets and rose petals, this is a medium-bodied, elegant wine which is drinking beautifully now.
Your date will love this more than flowers.
When stepping out to dance, you need a wine that is light on its feet, just like you.
This wine comes from vineyards near the village of Morey-Saint-Denis that were Demeter-certified biodynamic in 2015. The winemaker prefers used oak and clay jars for aging instead of the traditional oak barrels, resulting in a medium-bodied wine.
With a floral and mineral aroma, Argillieres has a finesse to match your dancing ability, and at a friendly price.
Bonus:
Picnics are happy occasions, and your wine should be too. This wine, from Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara, took the Best in Show award at the Global Wine Challenge and was chosen the #1 wine.
The Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA features Bordeaux varietals, unlike the rest of Santa Barbara County. The terroir and climate are perfect for these grapes, and the results are wines that compete with Napa Valley, at a much lower price point.
With deep flavors and an intoxicating nose, the wine is soft, fruity, and lively. The blend is made of 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Malbec.
Your picnics will never be the same!
- Sports - 2016 Prager Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Ried Achleiten Austria
No matter which sport you play or watch, a lovely Austrian Grüner is a good match.
The grapes for this wine come from bio-diverse vineyards on old terraces. The brilliant winemaking delivers a wine beyond belief. The wine is dry with an aromatic complexity balanced with power and tension. A racy acidity gives way to a long, mineral finish over a silky palate.
Get your sports on and either drink while watching or savor this amazing wine once you are done with your game.
- Wine-tasting - Mix and Match, with free shipping on six bottles from a selection of high-quality wines at reduced prices.
Set up your own Valentine’s Day wine tasting. Choose from over 60 wines, most at significant discounts. Now you can try outstanding wines that you wouldn’t want to pay top dollar for.
Create a theme or pick six from different countries. You can serve them blind to your guests for a fun evening or compare and contrast different varieties or vintages.
Wines are available from California, Oregon, France, Italy, South Africa, Spain, and Portugal. These opportunities don’t appear every day, so impress your friends with the best.
Take advantage of this offer today!
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