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The Best Wines for Valentine’s Day: Romantic Picks for Every Celebration
Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to pour something special and toast to love. Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, a best friend, or your own fabulous self, this holiday calls for a glass of something gorgeous. The best Valentine’s Day wines should be the ones that make your day special. That’s where we come in as your go-to guide.
Think of this blog as your curated cheat sheet to romantic wine—bottles that set the mood, pair with decadent meals, and make for a thoughtful Valentine’s wine gift. From bold reds to sparkling showstoppers to dreamy rosés, these wines will make your V-Day (or V-weekend…or V-month) feel extra special. Ready to uncork the romance? Let’s dive in!
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Valentine’s Wine
Choosing the right Valentine’s Day wine is all about creating a memorable experience. Here are a few expert tips to guide you to the perfect bottle:
- Match the mood, meal, and mate: Consider the vibe of your evening. A bold Cabernet Sauvignon is ideal for a classic steak dinner, while a crisp white or sparkling wine pairs beautifully with seafood or lighter fare. Also, consider your partner’s personality. Are they serious, adventurous, or bubbly? There’s a wine for that!
- Consider the presentation: A beautiful bottle can be a gift in itself. Look for elegant labels, unique bottle shapes, or special gift packaging.
- Create a mix-and-match experience: Can’t decide on just one? Open a couple of bottles and call it a romantic tasting flight—because two wines are better than one!
- Don’t be afraid to splurge—it’s Valentine’s Day, after all! Choose either La Crema’s Nine Barrel Pinot Noir or Nine Barrel Chardonnay for an indulgent treat.
Romantic Red Wines for Valentine’s Day
Red wine and Valentine’s Day are a match made in heaven—like roses and handwritten love notes. A silky Pinot Noir or structured Cabernet Sauvignon brings warmth, romance, and those undeniably cozy vibes to a Valentine’s dinner at home. These wines enhance everything from mushroom risotto to ribeye and, of course, chocolate mousse or fondue.
Looking for the best wine for a date night? Start here.
Pinot Noir
Silky, expressive, and naturally elegant, Pinot Noir is the ultimate companion for candlelit dinners, slow dances in the kitchen, or cozy movie-and-takeout nights. It’s basically romance in a glass! With aromas and flavors of red berries, subtle spice, and earth, it’s a sophisticated and seductive choice for V-Day.
La Crema specializes in Pinot Noir from sustainably farmed, premium vineyards in cool-climate regions where the grape thrives. Explore everything from special single-vineyard bottlings to elegant regional expressions.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is like a candy heart that says, “Yours forever”—bold, passionate, and unforgettable. This full-bodied red wine is known for its ripe dark fruit and cedar and vanilla notes from barrel aging. Its firm structure makes it unbeatable with steak, braised short ribs, or your most decadent chocolate dessert.
La Crema Cabernet Sauvignon brings power and polish—ideal for couples who love deeply intense yet refined wines.
Sparkling Wines to Celebrate Love
Because nothing says "I love you" like a little fizz! Sparkling wine turns Valentine’s Day into a celebration—festive, glamorous, and oh-so-fun. Whether you’re popping Champagne, pouring Prosecco, or going pink with sparkling rosé, this is your permission slip to add some sparkle to your love story.
Sparkling wines shine with oysters, caviar, strawberries, and any desserts that invite a little flirting. Their lively effervescence and acidity make them incredibly versatile with everything from fancy foie gras to delectable fried chicken. La Crema’s sparkling wines are crafted in the traditional méthode traditionnelle, delivering exquisite complexity, joy, and a dose of passion in every sip.
Elegant White Wines for a Lighter Celebration
Planning a fresh, bright, or seafood-centric Valentine’s Day? White wine is your secret weapon. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Gris bring lift and elegance—perfect with oysters, salads, scallops, or light pasta dishes.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is the ultimate date-night white wine. Versatile, expressive, and approachable. It's the chameleon of white wines, with it being crisp, mineral-driven, fruity, or rich, depending on its style. This range allows it to pair effortlessly with a world of take-out dishes for your V-Day dinner. Consider a crisp Chardonnay with Mexican chiles rellenos, a mineral-driven Chardonnay with Japanese sushi, or a rich, oaked version with Indian butter chicken. Your Valentine will be so impressed!
La Crema’s cool-climate Chardonnays are known for their balance, energy, and refinement—just like the harmony of a beautiful relationship.
Sauvignon Blanc
Zesty, crisp, and refreshing, Sauvignon Blanc is a lighter, zippier option for Valentine’s Day wine lovers. It’s like a zesty little love note in a glass. With notes of citrus, herbs, and mouthwatering acidity, it pairs beautifully with seafood, goat cheese, sushi, or plant-forward dishes.
La Crema Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc has it all: volume, texture, vibrant acidity, and a juicy, lingering finish. It’s the perfect Valentine’s wine pick for couples planning a cozy picnic or lighter dinner.
Pinot Gris
A little floral, a little fruity, and endlessly charming, Pinot Gris is a playful yet elegant choice for Valentine’s Day. Think pear, white peach, melon, and delicate texture—the perfect match for charcuterie, spicy Asian dishes, grilled fish, light pastas, or a breezy midday celebration. Pinot Gris offers a delightful twist on white wine—because, after all, variety is the spice of life and love!
Rosé Wines for a Sweet, Playful Twist
Rosé is the flirty best friend of the wine world—fun, pink, refreshing, and utterly irresistible. It offers the best of both worlds, combining the crispness of a white wine with the fruit-forward character of a red. With its strawberry, citrus, and watermelon notes and juicy acidity, rosé pairs with almost anything. We love it with a charcuterie board, creamy cheeses, take-out, or even Valentine’s desserts. Bonus: sparkling rosé instantly doubles the romance!
La Crema’s sparkling Russian River Valley Brut Rosé, refreshing Monterey Rosé, or elegant Saralee’s Vineyard Rosé will add a flirty splash of pink to your V-Day.
Celebrate Love with the Perfect Bottle from La Crema
Whether it’s a five-course dinner, a movie marathon, or a romantic firepit rendezvous, the right Valentine’s Day wine can make your date magical and unforgettable. From romantic reds to lively bubbles to elegant whites, La Crema has the perfect bottle to match your mood, your meal, and, yes, even your mate.
At La Crema, we pour our hearts into every bottle, crafting wines with vibrancy, texture, and balance that naturally reflect their cool-climate vineyards. Our acclaimed wines are celebrated for their reliable elegance, finesse, and character. With our easy-to-use online store, you can have the perfect bottle delivered right to your door, making your Valentine’s planning a breeze and your newly arrived bottle the chef’s kiss to the evening. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s pour some love!
FAQs
What are the best wines for Valentine’s Day dinner?
The best wine depends on your meal. For a steak dinner, a bold Cabernet Sauvignon is perfect. For seafood or chicken, a crisp Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc is ideal. A versatile Pinot Noir pairs well with a wide range of dishes, from duck to mushroom-based pasta. Rosé and sparkling wine go beautifully with spicy or fried foods.
Which wine is the most romantic for Valentine’s Day?
Pinot Noir is often considered one of the most romantic wines due to its silky texture and elegant, complex flavors. A sparkling rosé is a close second, thanks to its beautiful color, effervescence, and celebratory feel.
What red wine pairs best with a Valentine’s steak dinner?
Cabernet Sauvignon is the classic choice for a steak dinner. Its bold structure and rich dark fruit flavors stand up beautifully to the meat’s richness.
What’s the best wine to give as a Valentine’s Day gift?
A high-quality bottle of their favorite varietal is always a great choice. Gift sets, sparkling wines, or a special bottle of Pinot Noir make elegant, thoughtful wine gifts anyone will love.
What wines pair well with chocolate or dessert on Valentine’s Day?
For dark chocolate, a rich red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon can be a great match. For milk chocolate or lighter desserts, consider a sweet late-harvest Riesling or a fruity Pinot Noir. A sparkling Brut Rosé also pairs wonderfully with berry-based desserts.
Are there affordable wines that still feel romantic for Valentine’s Day?
Absolutely! You don't need to break the bank to find a romantic wine. Look for high-quality wines from less famous regions. La Crema’s Monterey Pinot Noir and Sonoma Coast Chardonnay offer exceptional value and feel incredibly special for any holiday wine occasion.