“What are the most romantic wines?” is obviously a ridiculous question as the answer must be purely subjective. Nevertheless, in the time-honoured tradition of telling others what is “romantic” for Valentine’s Day, I continue … (while noting, in my defence, that I am not hawking anything):
1) Champagne
Champagne is an obvious choice as it has been used to mark many romantic occasions – engagements, weddings, anniversaries etc. The marketing for the big Champagne houses – think Veuve Cliquot, Moët & Chandon (leading label Dom Pérignon), Taittinger, Louis Roederer (leading label Cristal), Krug – has been extraordinary successful in cultivating attachment and desire.
Unlike most wine, Champagne is usually “non-vintage” meaning each bottle contains a blend of wine from grapes grown in different years. Its goal is year-to-year consistency and to achieve that goal it is often blended from the vast library of wines cellared by the big houses. If you enjoyed a bottle of Veuve on a happy occasion, you can rest assured that when you buy another bottle to mark an anniversary of that occasion, it will be the same. If you want to experience something a little different, try one of the grower-producer Champagnes which are slowly becoming more widely available. These are labeled “RM” for “Récoltant Manipulant” (grower-producer who uses a minimum of 95% fruit from their estate).
To buy: Look for your go-to fond-memories label or, for something a little different, a Récoltant Manipulant bottle. For a non-Champagne bubbly (only wines made in the Champagne region of France may be called “Champagne”), try a local option made using the “Champagne Method”. Henry of Pelham’s “Cuvée Catharine” (Niagara) is a great option.
Unlike most wine, Champagne is usually “non-vintage” meaning each bottle contains a blend of wine from grapes grown in different years. Its goal is year-to-year consistency and to achieve that goal it is often blended from the vast library of wines cellared by the big houses. If you enjoyed a bottle of Veuve on a happy occasion, you can rest assured that when you buy another bottle to mark an anniversary of that occasion, it will be the same. If you want to experience something a little different, try one of the grower-producer Champagnes which are slowly becoming more widely available. These are labeled “RM” for “Récoltant Manipulant” (grower-producer who uses a minimum of 95% fruit from their estate).
To buy: Look for your go-to fond-memories label or, for something a little different, a Récoltant Manipulant bottle. For a non-Champagne bubbly (only wines made in the Champagne region of France may be called “Champagne”), try a local option made using the “Champagne Method”. Henry of Pelham’s “Cuvée Catharine” (Niagara) is a great option.
2) Amarone
With a name so close to “amore,” Amarone must be romantic! But the case for Amarone goes beyond its name. Valentine’s Day falls mid-February which is usually prime fireside sipping time in Ontario. Amarone is a wine that warms you from the inside out (in part due to its crazy high alcohol for an old-world wine but we won’t dwell on that). It is very fruity and intense, but also smooth enough to sip on its own as its tannins and acidity are both on the lower end for red wine. Amarone is made from Corvina grapes using the apassimento style in which the grapes are picked late in the season and then dried into raisons before being made into wine. To conclude the case for Amarone, it hails from the Valpolicella region around Verona: the home of Romeo and Juliet.
To buy: With Amarone, it often comes down to your desired price point. You can always ask for some guidance as to value from your local LCBO staff. Zenato and Tedeschi are both large producers of consistently good and generally available mid-range options.
To buy: With Amarone, it often comes down to your desired price point. You can always ask for some guidance as to value from your local LCBO staff. Zenato and Tedeschi are both large producers of consistently good and generally available mid-range options.
3) Pinot Noir
I have selected the grape varietal here rather than a particular appellation as it is too hard to pick just one. Personal preference will dictate whether your romantic Pinot is from Burgundy, Central Otago (New Zealand), Sonoma, Willamette Valley (Oregon) or Prince Edward Country (Ontario). Pinot is another great choice for Valentine’s Day as it pairs beautifully with a wide range of food and many styles are also lovely evening sippers. Pinot is often romanticized. Take, for example, the movie Sideways, in which Miles professes in his doting Pinot monologue: “oh its flavors, they're just the most haunting and brilliant and thrilling and subtle and... ancient on the planet.”
To buy: Focus in on your region of choice and see what is available in store. Again, price point will narrow the range of options. If you are looking for something a little more reasonably-priced, steer clear of Burgundy (it is very hard to find a good inexpensive Burgundy) and try a New World option.
To buy: Focus in on your region of choice and see what is available in store. Again, price point will narrow the range of options. If you are looking for something a little more reasonably-priced, steer clear of Burgundy (it is very hard to find a good inexpensive Burgundy) and try a New World option.
4) Brunello di Montalcino
Is the name not enough to evoke romance? “Brunello di Montalcino.” The Tuscan landscape from which it hails is also about as romantic as they come. Brunello is the most prestigious Denominazione (appellation) in Tuscany and is made from 100% Sangiovese grapes. It is an easy pairing for many foods and hard cheeses and also a lovely sipper as long as you enjoy some elevated acidity in your red wine.
To buy: There are usually a number of Brunello options in the LCBO. Assuming you are planning to drink it right away, look for an older vintage within your desired price range.
To buy: There are usually a number of Brunello options in the LCBO. Assuming you are planning to drink it right away, look for an older vintage within your desired price range.
5) Vouvray
Vouvray is my dark horse in the race. It is the most famous appellation for Chenin Blanc and comes from the beautiful Loire Valley in France. A good Vouvray Chenin Blanc is one of the most beautiful expressions of white wine available. It is also relatively unknown to the general wine-drinking population.
I am including it in my list because if its beauty. It is also a nice thing to try if you want to branch out a little. It is fruity, floral and honeyed, yet delicate. It comes in dry, off-dry, semi-sweet, sweet and sparkling expressions. If you enjoy a little sweetness in your wine, try an off-dry or semi-sweet bottle. Or, try sweet Vouvray as a delicious dessert wine. If you only enjoy dry wines, make sure you buy a bottle labeled “Sec.” Because of its honeyed character, it will seem a little less dry than a Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay, but it is in fact dry with virtually no residual sugar.
To buy: The selection is generally small in any LCBO so see what is available and ask your local staff. If there is no Vouvray, there may be another Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley that staff would recommend, perhaps an Anjou or Saviennières.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I am including it in my list because if its beauty. It is also a nice thing to try if you want to branch out a little. It is fruity, floral and honeyed, yet delicate. It comes in dry, off-dry, semi-sweet, sweet and sparkling expressions. If you enjoy a little sweetness in your wine, try an off-dry or semi-sweet bottle. Or, try sweet Vouvray as a delicious dessert wine. If you only enjoy dry wines, make sure you buy a bottle labeled “Sec.” Because of its honeyed character, it will seem a little less dry than a Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay, but it is in fact dry with virtually no residual sugar.
To buy: The selection is generally small in any LCBO so see what is available and ask your local staff. If there is no Vouvray, there may be another Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley that staff would recommend, perhaps an Anjou or Saviennières.
Happy Valentine’s Day!