Valentine’s day is coming up and whether you love it or hate it it’s definitely a great time to pair some lovely natural wines! I have a lot of opinions on what I like to drink for this holiday and pair it with based on my mood, but we decided it would be more fun to ask some of our friends what they’ll be pouring and why so you can get some inspiration for the “big” day!
The most obvious, but also one of the best choices is to go for some bubbles to celebrate you partner, being single, your friends, your dog, it's your day so you choose!
Mary Daire, owner, Dare Bottleshop & Provisions is drinking:
Ben and I will be sipping Cinino Metodo Ancestrale by La Segreta - a fun pét-nat with love by our friends Eileen and Lorenzo. This wine is like liquid pink lightning! It's a lightly sparkling rosé pét-nat from Umbria full of fresh rose petals and soft, bright red-berry fruit. Delicate, creamy bubbles play alongside its energetic acidity for a beautiful contrast!
My choice pairing would be with the following crostini-snack: anchovy fillets layered on top of really good salted butter on thinly sliced, crusty country bread.
Aris Soultanos of Knit Wine is drinking:
Demi Elder, writer and scholar at the Roots Fund is drinking:
Nic Jansson of MYSA is drinking:
So, I like sparkling wine, but it's typically not my go-to, but for some reason I've been SUPER into them for the last 6 months or so. For something like Valentine's day, how could you go wrong? I really dig Vivanterre's Pet Nat as a great option for V-Day. Keep it classy with blini’s and all the accoutrements - paddlefish caviar, creme fraiche, chives, and anything else that strikes your fancy!
Toni Zablocki of Zev Rovine Selections is drinking:
Grégory Guillaume "L'Épicurean" VDF Rouge will be finding its way to my glass this Valentine's Day. Leaning into this age of chasing dopamine and self-contentment, a bottle of perfumed, vivacious-yet-unfussy grenache from one of my favorite winemakers promises to captivate my attention and remind me of many other cherished, ephemeral pleasures. It also speaks to my preferred variety of romance: honest, softhearted, impish, and evocative.
A vin de soif such as this pairs delightfully with any of the following: meditative baths, humbly prepared feasts, the sonic texture of playing old records, La Nouvelle Vague, spontaneous dancing, and intimate conversations between lovers and friends.
Seung Hee Lee, Founder of @Koreanfusion and co-author of Everyday Korean is drinking:
BUBBLES! Most definitely champagne. Rose for that matter. I have always adored Frederic Savart Bulle de Rose for special occasions for its unique Savart scents of star fruit, red currants, and other delicious red fruits encased in generous mousse. It screams romance!!! That said, I also Tarlant Zero Brut Rose as a daily go-to, it's a bit more approachable but sassy - kinda like my sense of humor! Really great with fried chicken, creme fraiche, and caviar.
Conclusion
Whether you're single or in a couple, it's YOUR day and you can drink whatever you want! If you're going for a certain vibe then hopefully we helped you narrow down some options, but just drink whatever fits with your mood! Doing a romantic dinner? Nice red, white or orange! Fun time with friends? Piquette or Apertif! Celebrating something special? Bubbles or aged wine!
Looking for more inspiration? Check out the answers we had from our 2021 contributors below!
Stan from Forage is drinking:
Cremant “Nature” - Bannwarth
Kate Vourvoulis from Good Luck Wine Shop & Vin de California is drinking:
Photo by Sorrell Scrutton
Scar of the Sea Rose of Pinot Noir - Topoterro Vineyard SLO
Alyssa from Eater is drinking:
Apéritif Fun
It doesn't have to be wine ALL the time and there are some great vermouth based drinks that we love to consider in this category to mix it up and add a little pizazz and garnish to your day.
Nic from MYSA is drinking:
MUZ - Partida Creus
"Because Valentine's Day deserves that extra special something, and nothing says "special" to me like a little Vermouth-based cocktail as an apertif! We love it with loads of ice, a splash (no more!) of carbonated water, and maybe a citrusy garnish. Serve and enjoy your evening with your special someone!" - Nic
Romantic Reds
Cooking or getting a nice meal delivered at home this year? Definitely the time to bust open a red wine you've been saving!
Andy from Cream is drinking:
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Amorro Tinto - Bodega Vinificate
"This Valentine's Day, more than ever, my heart is longing for travel and a return to hauntingly romantic Andalusia, Spain. I’m in love with Bodega Vinificate’s aptly named Amorro Tinto. The brainchild of Miguel Gomez of Alba Viticultores, the San Lucar Palomino Pet Nat rebel. Vinificate Amorro Tinto is made from 100% Tintilla, a rare ancient Andalusian variety, brought back from the brink of extinction and organically grown on the legendary albariza (chalk) soils of Pago Balbaina in Jerez.
"Grapes are spontaneously fermented whole-cluster, aged in clay amphorae and fiberglass flew tanks and bottled unfiltered and unfined with no added SO2. The wine is explosively fragrant, super berry fresh and crushable weight with zippy energy and umami chalky mineral length. A chillable red in the best ways possible. Makes me want jetpack to Restorante El Campero in Barbate and have it with every cut of tuna, Flamenco club hop in Jerez, sleep on the beach in San Lucar and take a river boat to Seville for dinner and dancing. Amorro!" - Andy
Whitney from whitandwine is drinking:
Nouveau Pinot Noir - SCRIBE
"Why: Recent breakup? Pinot Noir. Netflix and chill Zoom date? Pinot Noir. Are you your own soulmate? Pinot Noir!!! In my book, you really can't go wrong with Scribe Winery. Their 2020 Nouveau is an awesome introduction for the uninitiated. When served with a slight chill, the fruit truly pops! It’s the perfect wine to say “will you be my Glou, Glou”. - Whit
Rosé > Roses
Yes, I know that was cheesy, but come on this is Valentine's Day and the whole thing is cheesy! Plus, you know that all of us in the natural wine community are definitely looking for some wine over flowers.
Holly from MYSA is drinking:
You are My Sunshine - Old Westminster
"Not only is this label adorable and perfect for Valentine's Day but it also is a low ABV piquette, verjus blend that is perfect for spending time with friends. It's almost like a candy heart itself and a fun, non-serious way to celebrate!" - Holly
Unexpected Orange
Orange is still pretty new, but a great pick year round! If you're wanting to be adventurous this Valentine's day, orange is definitely the way to go!
Nikita from BLANK is drinking:
Vino Naranja - Cacique Maravilla
"This is one of my all-time favorite wines. Whenever it shows up in my wine club box, I feel truly seen. I love that it is slightly refreshing, not too sweet, and pairs well with almost any kind of ethnic food - I cook a lot of spicy things at home, and I don't have to overthink it when pairing this one. I'm not big on Valentine's day, and this year I'll be celebrating with my pup, but maybe I'll crack open a bottle of this one and celebrate." - Nikita
"Another fun alternative would be an Orange wine from MYSA! Spin the wheel and try something unique & original! The aromatics - generally speaking - are accentuated and make for a sexy wine with more texture & mouthfeel. The experience over a meal seeing the wine warm up & evolve and change with each bite of food is something fun to share as well". - Stan
Enjoy your day and if you drink something from us make sure you tag us on Instagram!