Romantic meals are a staple on the most romantic holiday of the year.
It doesn’t matter if you’re making dinner reservations or planning to cook a special meal for your loved one. A bottle of liquor will make the experience more special. A romantic wine should complement your food — giving you a five-star experience even at the comfort of your home.
If you are trying to complete your checklist for Heart’s Day, Village Warehouse Wine & Spirits can help. Make the day even more special by finding the right food and drink combination. Village Warehouse Wine & Spirits has a list of wine and dinner pairings you can choose from. Elevate your experience on Valentine’s Day with us!
How to Pick the Right Wine for the Occasion
The right wine can make any simple dish special. Now, there seems to be an unwritten rule when it comes to pairings, such as:
- Sweet wines are perfect for desserts.
- Red wines are for heavy meals or red meats.
- Champagne or white wines are ideal for poultry, fish, and vegetables.
Remember, there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to picking the right wine for your meal. However, you might be missing something extraordinary when you keep your options limited to these rules. Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning for Valentine Day romantic dinner ideas:
- Know your partner’s drink and meal preferences.
- Find wine alternatives if you or your partner aren’t fans of the basic pairings.
- Consider the wine characteristics — alcohol level, aroma, age, and flavor.
- If all else fails, choose a good bottle of champagne.
Best Wine and Dinner Pairings for Valentine’s Day
If you’re looking for inspiration, here are food and wine pairing ideas to tickle your imagination:
Champagne Pairings
First on our list is champagne—a Valentine’s Day wine that’s a perfect match for almost anything. With a good ol’ bottle of champagne, every meal will be impeccable. Here are some champagne pairings to consider:
1. Cheese + Champagne
Cheese and wine are two puzzle pieces that fit together. Pair manchego, aged gouda, or parmigiano-reggiano with a bottle of Moet & Chandon or Veuve Clicquot.
2. Lobster + Vintage Champagne
Something as scrumptious as lobster deserves something exceptional. No matter what lobster meal you’re having, you can never go wrong with a glass of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, or Pinot Meunier.
3. Sushi + Brut Champagne
Another heavenly combination of liquor and food for Valentine’s Day is sushi and brut champagne. The rich taste of the champagne complements the dish’s flavor. The bubbles of the champagne will cleanse your palate.
White Wine Pairings
White wines offer a refreshing boost and are almost always the perfect pair for fish dishes. Here are some white wine pairing ideas:
1. Sea Bass + White Wine
White wine is sure to enhance the flavors of sea bass. Sea Bass is like steak from the sea. Its mild fish taste calls for a glass of Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
2. Shrimp + White Wine
White wine offers a crisp and refreshing twist to any shrimp dish. If it has a touch of garlic, the perfect pair is a glass of Sauvignon Blanc or any white wine with a hint of citrus. A prawn cocktail sits best with a glass of off-dry Riesling.
Red Wine Pairings
Red wines are undeniably one of the most romantic wines for Valentine’s Day. They’re a classic, and frankly, they never go out of style. Here are some red wine pairings for you:
1. Duck + Red Wine
A slice of fatty and rich duck meat is perfect with a glass of red wine. For this, you want something that can balance the rich flavor of the meat. Opt for something sharp and high in acid. A glass of pinot noir with this meal will never disappoint.
2. Steak + Full-bodied Red Wine
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are the best Valentine’s Day wines you can pair with your steak. A fusion of flavors—the combination of full-bodied red wine and steak is a party in your mouth. The right full-bodied red depends on your preference and the type and cuts of your steak.
3. Dark Chocolate + Red Wine
You can say that red wine is dark chocolate’s best friend. The combination of the two is an explosion of flavors in your mouth. Talk about the perfect conclusion to a beautiful night.
Pairing Tips to Keep In Mind
A well-balanced pairing makes any event memorable and special. The proper meal and drink will elevate your dining experience—no matter where you choose to spend the holiday.
Here are some pairing tips to keep in mind:
1. Trust your taste buds.
When thinking of a meal and a Valentine’s Day wine, going with what you like is alright. You don’t have to follow all the suggestions unless you don’t have any idea or you’re looking to try something new. There’s no one-wine-fits-all, so you can go with your gut.
2. Keep compatibility in mind when thinking of wine pairing ideas.
A good bottle of wine needs a partner of the same level. When thinking of dinner pairings for Valentine’s Day, make sure that the quality of food and wine are parallel.
3. Serve wine at the right temperature.
Yes, even the temperature of the wine is significant to your whole experience. Wine must be served at the right temperature for the best experience. Red wines are perfect at 12˚C < 18˚C. White wines should be served chilled at 8˚C < 12˚C. Champagne and dessert wines at 5˚C and 7˚C.
4. Balance it out.
When planning your Valentine’s Day dinner, make sure that the wine and the food complement one another. This doesn’t mean pairing something sweet with something salty—instead, pair flavors that exist in perfect unison. Even when planning for romantic food, opposites fit well together.
Make Hearts Day More Special With Village Warehouse Wine & Spirits
Find the perfect Valentine’s Day wine on our shelves.
Village Warehouse Wine & Spirits is a liquor store in Vail, Colorado. We have a wide range of fine wines you can choose from. Our staff will be more than happy to walk you through your options. With us, planning for the perfect date is made easy. Visit us today!
