The snows are just starting to melt in (most of) the northern hemisphere, lovebirds are necking on the branches, and Valentine’s Day is fast approaching.
This holiday gives us a much-welcomed excuse to celebrate love in all its forms and bask in the sensual delights the world has to offer – especially the ones you can drink.
However you’re spending this holiday, and whomever you’re spending it with, we encourage you to treat yourself to some serious viticultural deliciousness to toast to the budding season and amour, du soi, de les autres, de le monde.
To help you celebrate, we wanted to inspire your date night this Valentine’s Day with a few ideas. Surprise, surprise…they all involve wine…the key to many of our hearts.
But, before we get into it…
A brief history of Valentine’s Day
The very first Valentine that we know of was written by the Duke d’Orleans to his wife in the 15th century, and reads:
“Je suis desja d’amour tanné
Ma tres doulce Valentinée…”
This translates to “I am already tanned with love, my very sweet Valentine.”
The tradition of giving cards and dainties to beloveds on February 14th extends far back beyond the 1400s. And observation of the date itself is even older, originating as a feast to the Saints Valentine, three martyred figures who garnered fame as priests of the Catholic church.
The progression from Christian festival to a fete which honors love and romance is mysterious, although sometimes attributed to poetic observations of birds whose affectionate courtship rituals begin in the same season.
From Saints, to poets, to real-life lovebirds by some curious threads comes the traditions of today – and we adore them. So here are a few recommendations from us at Argaux to help you celebrate.
Best wine for Valentine’s Day
- 2022 Chateau Barbebelle Aix-en-Provence ‘Cuvée Madeleine’ Rosé – $25
Sweet, light-hearted, with a blush to match the rouge of your lover’s cheek – if this wine were a person she would definitely sport flower crowns to the park. But this wine is just as comfortable on a white tablecloth as it is on a gingham blanket, offering a versatility that makes it flexible enough to suit whatever romantic activity you have planned for the day.
Rich, rosie, and berry-forward, this wine is best paired with pastas, herbaceous flatbreads, and fruit de mer.
- NV Delavenne Père & Fils Brut Tradition Grand Cru Champagne – $55
This Brut Tradition Grand Cru is the heart and soul of what the Delavenne’s do. Jean-Christophe describes this wine as the “embodiment of the Delavenne house tradition,” and we couldn’t think of a better bottle to elevate any dinner party, weeknight happy hour, or gathering amongst close friends.The Grand Cru label may feel intimidating at first, but this champagne is nonetheless accessible. Try it with a traditional Eggs Benedict for a romantic and well-tasted Valentine’s brunch.
2021 Massimago ‘Marchesa MariaBella’ Valpolicella Ripasso DOC – $35
If you had to imagine the idyllic setting for a pairing it would be: “A cut of meat, jazz, flowers on the table and sparkling company.” This wine is a weeknight staple and consistent best-seller.
Certified organic farming practices, woman-winemaker, native yeast fermentation, minimal sulfur addition, and 80% of all electricity used at Massimago is produced by solar panels.
Other Valentine’s day wine offerings from Argaux
If you’re a romantic soul who nonetheless gets a little stressed out when V-Day rolls around, never fear – allow us to take some of the pressure of planning off for you with some date night ideas, which can also serve as gifts for your Valentine.
For the competitive couple: The Blind Wine Tasting Kit – $85-$150
The absolute best way to learn about (and enjoy) wine is to taste it—so we encourage you to gather some friends, family or colleagues, open up your senses, pop these bottles and TASTE.
In this kit you’ll find the wines thoughtfully wrapped to conceal their identities, DO NOT UNWRAP— and a guide which provides instructions on How-To Blind Taste, an overview of Varietals and Regions, Tips and Tricks and the Infamous ‘Grid,’ giving you necessary the structure to deductively taste wine and recognize unique characteristics linked to specific varietals and regions. As Sommeliers, we’ve been tested on this very same grid and now it’s your turn to MAKE A CALL. Happy tasting!
For the Francophiles, transport to the City of Love: Taste of France Wine Gift Box – $150-$200
Whether you are hopping on the next flight to Paris or simply wanderlusting from your couch, enjoy this taste of France gift set filled with some of our must-have goodies from one of our favorite countries.
This Gift Box Includes:
– Your choice of 1 or 2 bottles of our favorite French wines
– Pommery Meaux Mustard from a small town just east of Paris
– Jean Dubost 3Pc Cheese Set in Ivory
– Lola James Harper hand-poured candle from Provence
For the at-home bar enthusiasts – The Bargaux Cocktail Kit – $115
Ready to level up your cocktail game? The Volume Primo Vermouth was made specially for the legendary Archivio bar in Verona and is the main ingredient in their Negroni, which is rumored to be the best Negroni in the world. From Spritz to Negroni this kit covers the basics and gives you the tools to test out some new recipes with whatever your liquor of choice is.
Box Includes: 1 bottle of NV Volume Primo Vermouth, 1 bottle of NV Sorelle Extra Dry Prosecco, 1 bottle of Found Bubbly Water, Dehydrated Orange Slices and Cara Devine’s “Strong, Sweet and Bitter” Cocktail Recipe Book.
Cheers!
