Valentine's Day always stirs a particular excitement in me. It gives something of the thrill akin to a Jilly Cooper novel (I loved Rivals on TV last autumn!) - mysterious admirers, loving gifts and the promise of wine from my husband or perhaps even a secret admirer!
However, I do find that a lot of British men don’t share in the excitement that us girls have for Valentine’s Day. Some British men, particularly those of a certain vintage, view St Valentine's Day as more of a chore than a celebration.
My husband prefers us to celebrate Valentine’s Day at home rather than in a restaurant. He argues that V-Day set menus are overpriced and that restaurants turn the tables too fast to maximise their profits on one of the busiest night of the year.
That’s why we often eschew going out on Valentine’s Day in favour of something more genuine and intimate at home. I’ll buy the wine while he’ll cook my favourite meal (my husband is the chef in our house!). And while the shops explode with trinkets and the florists buckle under demand for red roses, I believe nothing captures the essence of the day like a fabulous bottle of wine popped open and shared.
Among the celebrations, I'm particularly excited for my single friends and my mum, all of whom are embracing the Valentine’s spirit with fresh enthusiasm this year. I'm crossing my fingers for them to experience those heart-fluttering dates. There’s nothing quite like the buzz of hearing about a friend’s date—where they went, what they wore, and the stirrings of potential love.
I can’t wait to invite them over for more wine and to hear all about what they drank and the moments that made their night special.
Here are six bottles which I recommend to celebrate this Valentine’s Day!
I adore the family making this wine led by Sabrine Tedeschi and her daughter Chiara– they are full of soul and personality, you simply want to go and drink wine with them. Choose a Valpolicella Ripasso, as it’s a smart choice—crafted from the remnants of Amarone production, it delivers depth without the steep price. So what to expect - full bodied red, lots of freshness and red cherry. Have this with pizza, spaghetti and meatballs or steak. Worth every penny, treat yourself.
For those venturing out on a date, consider choosing a Chianti from the romantic heartland of Tuscany, Italy. This region is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes near Florence and Siena and crafts some of the most beautiful Sangiovese wines in the world. Chianti is a bold red wine characterized by vibrant acidity, ripe red cherries and spice. It’s popular and can usually be found on restaurant wine lists as it's a perfect match with food such as T-bone steak, charcuterie, pizza and pasta.
Located on the coast of France, a few kilometres from St. Tropez, the grapes are cooled by the Mediterranean sea breeze and surrounded by olive groves. The winery is organic, and winemaker Romain Ott has rosé wine running through his blood, coming from a pioneering Provençal rosé winemaking family. You are in good hands here with the Bamford family. This is a beautiful rosé—dry, with lots of fresh fruit: white peach and strawberries. A perfect companion for a cosy, romantic night in. The label itself says it all – this is ‘Love’ wine.
One of the most famous grape varieties and in vogue wines is Sauvignon Blanc, something we cannot get enough of. A go to of mine is Spy Valley from Marlborough’s Wairau Valley. This is made by the skilful female winemaker Emily Gaspard-Clar, who creates this joyful, restrained, elegant style of Sauvignon that is dry, crisp, citrus and tropical fruits.
I love the fact they are also using screwcap and using sustainable practices to make this eco-friendly wine. Sauvignon Blanc is widely available and a crowd-pleaser.
A great way to start the evening is with something cold and sparkling. Opt for Crémant, made using the traditional method but comes from outside of the Champagne region. You can enjoy Champagne-style without the price tag and without compromising on quality. This Chenin dominant sparkling blend is made by a woman called Juliette Monmousseau from the Loire Valley. It is excellent and spiced apple. It’s affordable and sets a playful mood for the evening ahead.
It’s understated yet chic—perfect to pop the cork without breaking the bank. This is my favourite in the Mirabeau range - it’s delicious, fun and elegant red fruit aromas typical of the pink wines from the South of France.
Elizabeth x
