Love at First Sip: 10 Romantic Wines to Fall in Love With

Loire, France

Cabernet franc is a lovely, crushed velvet-like grape that always presents a bit of unsweetened cocoa powder in the nose. It’s a mid-weight red that’s earthy, with a musk-like perfume and gorgeous cherry notes. It’s deep, dark and brooding with some great acidity (thank you Loire Valley) and texture. Definitely needs some food, but it could easily just be chocolate.

Piedmont, Italy

Rich and robust, these wines are a nice change from the big fruit bombs that many people start drinking when they come to explore wine. However, the robust nature of other north Italian wines like Barolo and Barbarescos is less intense and mingled with dark fruit notes in Barbera and makes for a racy adventure into classic old world style reds. The Earthy spice notes compliment elegant foods like lamb, porcini mushrooms, and roasted root vegetables and potatoes. The moody fruit characteristics add a lift on the finish that keeps you wanting another sip!

Taste a rich and robust Barbera d’Alba at Tasting Room in Houston, TX.

Central Otago, New Zealand

A long time in the shadow of the more full-bodied red wines of the New World, Pinot Noir has become the darling of the red wines imbibed in homes, cafes, and restaurants across the world. New Zealand is blessed with two of the New World’s best regions for making fine wine from this most capricious of grape varieties, Martinborough and Central Otago. In the Cupid’s Arrow, you’ll find a limpid garnet color with crimson hues and lifted cherry and raspberry fruits mesh with wild thyme, gun smoke, and cinnamon notes. The palate has fine silky tannins that envelop the ripe fruit and provide the texture for a long, complex finish. Like most pinot noirs, this wine is very versatile and will pair with a wide variety of food including most game, lamb, or duck.

Pick up a bottle for your next romantic meal at Wine by the Bay in Miami, FL for $20/bottle.

Tuscany, Italy

Chianti might seem like old news, but this isn’t you wicker bottled, outdated Chianti. Rather it is a Sangiovese from one of the best natural producers in Tuscany. These guys are a reference point for top notch Chianti and would give any Chianti Classico a run for their money. Located outside of Arezzo in eastern Tuscany, they have been certified organic since 1982 and are one of the most traditional producers in the region. Try a bottle with a special romantic dinner, maybe Tuscan-inspired ribollita soup, steak, or a hearty pasta dish.

Try a taste at The Wine Bottega’s weekly tastings every Friday and walk away with a bottle for $20.

Mendoza, Argentina

Select vineyards within the Uco Valley of Mendoza, Argentina are the superior locations, or “Secret Earth” which give Tierra Secreta its name. Deep ruby color with dark purple hues. Tierra Secreta exhibits elegant floral notes, leading to a full bodied mouthful of rich, spicy black fruit. The wine has a lively finish which reflects the aging in French and American oak barrels. Delightfully complex and concentrated, Tierra Secreta represents the finest that Argentina has to offer. Perfect when paired with any kind of red meat, especially steak for your next romantic dinner at home or out on the town.

Piedmont, Italy

A beautiful and easy expression of Nebbiolo with a touch of Dolcetto and Barbera to make it a bit more approachable. Bright, juicy tell-tale “pretty” Nebbiolo fruit with some riper red fruits showing through thanks to the Dolcetto and the Barbera. With or without food this wine is satisfying and approachable. Also a great value.

Burgundy, France

France has always been tied to the imagery of lovers and romance, and the mystique surrounding French wine carries an air of sophistication. These chardonnays are great options for many reasons, their range of prices gives a level of flexibility that won’t break the bank…. but can if you want to. Flavor-wise, the bright acid, stony minerality, and hints of citrus and florals shy away from the classic butter and oak bombs of California and compliment a wide array of foods; Aphrodisiac oysters on the half shell, Pan seared fish, herbed roast chicken or even pastas with a rich cream sauce. They also have a level of depth that can stand on its own without the assistance of a paired meal!

Try a glass of Chablis, Pernand-Vergelesses, or Bourgogne Blanc from Tasting Room in Houston, TX.

Savoie, France

This is an IGP – essentially a table wine from the Savoie region in France. It is 80% Gamay and 20% Persan (a local red variety). It is BEAUTIFUL!  The nose is filled with herbs, violets and red things! Cranberries, cherries + currants!  It is a mid-weight red with hints of that tannic dirt you get in Loire Gamay and firm youthful structure. It was made for cheese fondue, but chocolate will do, and some sort of breaded bone-in piece of pork. The minerality is high, but that’s because of where it’s from, and the fruit compensates so that you have a mouthwateringly juicy red wine you can’t put down.

Celebrate your special night with a bottle for around $40.

Lombardy, Italy

This is one of our favorite Lambrusco producers, located just over the border from Emilia-Romagna in southern Lombardy. They are specialist in cultivating near-gone Lambrusco varieties, and they made this delightfully pink, dry bubbly from a grape called Lambrusco Marani. The color is perfectly deep crimson pink, gentle but lasting bubbles, and is super fun and easy to drink. This just arrived to the US for the first time, and it’s just in time for Valentine’s Day or really any day. Perfect for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

Buy a Fondo Bozzole at The Wine Bottega in Boston for $20/bottle.

Piedmont, Italy

The grapes for Mia Dolcea are carefully selected from the historic Asti region of Italy, where the history is as rich as the grapes. Sweet and creamy aromas of pineapple, lychee, dried apricot and honey. An elegant palate of fresh stone fruit and juicy peach gives way to floral notes of honeysuckle and jasmine. The sweetness of this wine is balanced by a refreshing acidity, a delicate mouth feel and a smooth finish. Perfect accompaniment to strawberries for a sexy dessert.