You’ve got a hot date coming up, and you’re still working out one or two of the evening’s critical details. However you’re spending it, and whatever’s on the menu, no amorous dinner or experience would be complete without something delicious to drink. So if you’re still in the process of putting together your wine list, allow us to make a few lush suggestions.
What makes a romantic wine?
It could be argued that all wine is romantic in one way or another. Wine is iconically associated with romantic candlelit dinners, completed with lots of eye-gazing and sexy ambiance. The depth of sensuality and intrigue offered by really high-quality bottles somehow offers a feeling of amour and passion.
There’s no one flavor profile among the various wine genres that stands out as more romantic than any other. The best wine for your romantic dinner, then, should be based largely on what you’re eating, in which case – red for steak, white for chicken or fish, pink for vegetarian, if you’re into that.
Really truly though, the most romantic wine is going to be the one that makes your tongue sing with pleasure; that one wine that just gives you and whomever you’re sharing it with that full-body “yum.”
So think about it: what’s your favorite wine? Or what’s your partner’s favorite wine, the one that’s going to elicit an ear-to-ear grin when you pull it out of the bag?
“You remembered my favorite!”
If you can’t think of one, Argaux’s here to help. In this article, we’ve listed some of our favorites from the collections – those bottles that make our hearts and our bellies say, “mm-mm-mm.” We hope you’ll love them, too.
Most romantic wines from the Argaux collection
- 2018 Domaine Alain Burguet Vosne Romanée – $150
Deep, dark and rich – this wine is flush with flavors of fruits, herbs, and leather that will only continue to blossom if left to their own devices for a year or three. From the storied Burgundy wine region of France, the Pinot Noir grapes that went into this bottle were grown adjacent to the company’s Grand Cru vineyard.
- 2015 Storm Edna Valley ‘Slide Hill Vineyard’ Syrah – $40
A food-friendly bottle, especially if you love to grill, this wine is for lovers of red meat, mushrooms, and each other. Smooth, berry-forward, and just a little spicy, Storm’s rich Syrah promises to clothe your evening and all in it in velvet.
- 2015 Delavenne Père & Fils Brut Millésimé Grand Cru Champagne – $85
Offering a curatorial feel, both in taste and experience, this bottle of sumptuous bubbles represents the Delavenne’s flagship cuvée and is only produced using absolutely the most perfect grapes on the vine. Classic flavors from the Chardonnay tributaries, it’s a firm companion for brunch dates, seafood dinners, and desserts – whatever you’re into. It’s our absolute favorite Champagne in the Argaux collection.
- 2017 Domaine Rougeot Père et Fils Volnay-Santenots Premier Cru – $125
A strong wine for strong love. Open her up now to enjoy a powerful punch of flavor and body, or tuck away in your cellars to open on your 10th, 20th, or 30th anniversary. It’s never too early to start planning your celebratory dinners. Jammy for all its fortitude, the Premier Cru Pinot will pair deliciously with BBQ, fish, carbs, or vegetables.
- 2020 Edaphos ‘Alder Springs’ Petite Arvine – $46
We hear a chorus of wedding bells every time a bottle of Alder Springs is uncorked. Maybe that’s just because Argaux co-founder Margaux served it at her marital reception. You’ll have to tell us if you can hear them too, once you give it a try – a rare grape producing rarefied flavors of delicate florals, apples, and citrus. Pair with a gust of cherry blossoms carried on a spring breeze, and a garden proposal.
- 2018 Piro Presqu’ile Vineyard Pinot Noir – $44
Strictly for foodies of all denominations. It’s bright, energetic, and offers a variety of herbaceous flavors that add to the seasoning of whatever savories you happen to be dining upon. Stick it in the fridge for an hour or two before you light the candles, and dig in.
- 2021 Chateau Barbebelle Aix-en-Provence ‘Cuvée Madeleine’ Rosé – $25
Bashfulness is an underrated emotion, and we hope your blush is well-matched by the color of this absolutely drinkable Rosé. She’s versatile, and can accompany you on a casual picnic date, a romantic lunch, or a take-it-to-the-next-level dinner. Like drinking perfume in all the right ways, this bottle lives up to its bouquet-evocative genre with notes of rose and geranium on the tongue.
Other romantic wine offerings from Argaux that are perfect for a date night
If your idea of a romantic encounter is more active and less eye-gazey, we’ve got a few kits in our cellars sure to inspire a fun and gamified experience that won’t cut down on the amour.
Our famous Blind Tasting Kit challenges wine drinkers to engage all their senses in an educational game of viticultural sleuthing. Containing 2-4 bottles of mystery wine, as well as a comprehensive guide to wine tasting, this kit teaches you how to look at, inhale, and savor your vino like a pro so you can identify variety, region, and even year based on what you observe.
Or if culinary experimentation is more your speed, check out ROE Caviar x Argaux Champagne Pairing for an elevated at-home date night, or save it for a rainy day – There are no rules for when and where to enjoy this delectable pairing!
Cheers!