From heart-shaped chocolate boxes in Lindt stores to LEGO’s Valentine’s-inspired florals at Mall of Africa, Cupid has spread love everywhere this month and it’s hard not to be swept along. Of course, being a hopeless romantic myself, I tend to look for the meaning of love in places other than retail spaces. In fact, I rather enjoy going back to basics, finding inspiration for the perfect Valentine’s Day in something as simple, yet incredibly complex as terroir. Like the ground in which the vines grow, love can be just as simple, yet complex. Hence, I’ve come up with a couple of Valentine’s Day wines, perfect to pair love with:
De Krans Dry Pinotage Rosé – One of the go-to Valentine’s Day wines
Located in Calitzdorp in the Klein Karoo, De Krans has definitely made the most of their unique terroir. Grapes that do really well in this area include Portuguese grape varieties and varietals like Hanepoot and Muscadel (both used in the production of the wine farm’s Moscato Range). They were also the ones to bring the first-ever Premium White Moscato Perlé to South Africa back in 2012. Now, they have launched a new label design for their Classic Varietal Range, which includes the De Krans Pinotage Rosé. Having sampled it recently, I can definitely recommend it as one of the best wines for a romantic Valentine’s dinner. With less than an hour of skin contact before the wine is lightly pressed, this light blush pink wine is a great go-to if you’re looking for Valentine’s Day wines. It boasts beautiful aromas of strawberries and candy floss, with a balanced and refreshing acidity on the palate.
At around R90 per bottle, it’s a great add-on to your romantic table setting this Valentine’s Day. Find it here.
Nuy Valley’s first-ever Moscato Perlé
Accompanied by a vibrant new look for their Inspiration range, Nuy Winery has just launched its first-ever Perlé wine. Described by Cellar Master, Christo Basson, as “a wine that embodies summer in a glass,” it comes with a delicate pink hue and fine, dancing bubbles. It’s the ideal wine to enjoy chilled as an aperitif, paired with light summer salads, chicken dishes or charcuterie boards. Or, if you feel adventurous (or even a tad flirtatious), why not pair it with a mild curry? The wine’s semi-sweet nature is layered with rose petals, white Turkish Delight and hints of lemon and elderflower. And, the gentle fizz rounds off each sip with a crisp and clean finish on the palate.
This wine costs R80 per bottle and is available online. Of course, you can also buy it at Nuy Wine Cellar’s popular Nuy On The Hill, located along the stunning R60 route between Robertson and Worcester.
READ: 5 Ways to Better Understand Cinsaut and Pinot Noir
Fairview Rose Quartz 2024 – Another favourite among Valentine’s Day wines
Nothing says ‘romantic summer’ like rosé-tinted glasses at twilight. Bring your A-game this Valentine’s Day with the enchanting flavours of Fairview’s Rose Quartz 2024. Apart from its visual appeal, it’s a refreshing, versatile wine with captivating notes of pomegranate and summer berries on the palate. Best enjoyed chilled, this is one of those Valentine’s Day wines that pairs well with a variety of dishes, including sushi, smoked salmon, paella and Mediterranean seafood dishes. Hailing from Paarl’s granite soils which often shimmer in the sun due to remnants of decomposed quartz, the wine reflects the very minerals in which it’s grown.
Available for purchase at Fairview’s cellar door and online, you can expect to pay R130 per bottle.
Da Luca Prosecco – Pairing Prosecco with Love
If you’re looking for a food-friendly bubbly, Da Luca Prosecco not only pairs well with almost anything on the menu, but also with your travel bucket list. Da Luca Prosecco Rosé and Da Luca Sparkling Rosé each come with their own charm, naturally with the added bonus of the enchanting allure of Italy. Prosecco is Italy’s famous sparkling wine, after all, and comes from the Prosecco region in the north-east of the country. Since Roman times, vines have been cultivated in the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Guilia regions specifically, with primarily Glera grapes that give Prosecco its vibrancy, delightful fresh fruit aromas and floral notes. These Italian bubbles are the ideal choice for a romantic sunset, adding a definite, elegant sparkle to the occasion. It goes exceptionally well with fresh oysters or ceviche, as well as prosciutto and buffalo mozzarella. These are definitely some of the best sparkling wines for Valentine’s Day.
Available at Makro, Pick n Pay and Tops at Spar, you’ll pay around R190 per bottle. It’s also available online.
Whether you’re keen on a cuddle-on-the-couch kind of Valentine’s Day, a romantic picnic at a secret spot, or an over-the-top, rose petal and bubbly kind of dinner, any one of these wines are bound to make the heart grow fonder. Alternatively, they all also serve as lovely romantic wine gifts, so go ahead and choose your favourite to spoil that someone special with.
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