Top drinks for Valentines

The path for Valentine’s Day is well-trodden: roses, chocolates, and Rosé Champagne - but that’s not to say that, if presented with that bouquet and bottle of pink fizz, they’d be spurned.

If the wine must have a connection to lovers, a Beaumes de Venise is a lovely thing - the Rhône village has disputed origins, but might involve the Roman Goddess. Wines that can inspire passion tend to be big and robust like a Syrah or an Amarone, but mature wines take on a certain alluring perfume too. Perhaps even a deliciously honeyed dessert wine, lingering on the lips like a kiss, would pair quite nicely with whispered sweet nothings.

Otherwise, nothing can warm the blood quite like a whisky. A smooth, mellow whisky smelling of incense, leather and exotic spices should do rather better than a scented candle to set the mood.  

Domaine de Piéblanc, Beaumes de Venise, 2016
Southern Rhone, France

Great and expressive aromas of dark fruit and spicy oak on the nose. It has a juicy mid-palate with plenty of fruit, and a dense structure with smooth tannins and spices. 

Where to source: Domaine de Piéblanc 


Champagne Delacourt, N.V. Rosé Champagne
Champagne, France

Attractive copper-pink colour. Lovely nose; fresh, fruity and intense but elegant, with some subtle butterscotch notes. Fresh pastry palate, with summer fruits, and good length.

Where to buy: M&S, £27 (case deal price)


Waitrose Champagne, N.V. Rosé  Champagne 
Champagne, France

The mousse is vivid and attractive with delicate fruit flavours and pretty incisive acids. Nice tension and grip, with a fresh tight finish.

Where to buy: Waitrose, £26.99


Moulin de Citran, Haut-Medoc, 2009
Bordeaux, France

The palate is ripe with smooth and round tannins and a touch of floral hint to make a juicy and fruity start more complex. It has sweet spices and dark cocoa dust with a long and lingering finish.

Where to buy: Aldi, £13.99


Rocca Alata, Amarone della Valpolicella, 2016
Veneto, Italy

Smooth, intense and persistent, with great complexity. This wine shows the typical bitter Amarone taste, with damson and dark fruits followed by earthy and savoury notes. Tightly structured, with good tannins. 

Where to buy: Tesco, £15


Maison Castel, Pays d'Oc, Syrah, 2018
Languedoc, France

Spicy and deep on a layered palate, with great balance, creating a clean and pronounced but elegant profile. Mocha and chocolate on the finish deliver a fantastic tasting experience.

Where to source: Maison Castel


Rustenburg, Straw Wine, Stellenbosch, 2018
Western Cape, South Africa

Lovely, open and intense flavours of apricots and sultanas, with the honey still present. This is a clean and well-balanced example of the style. It is big with a viscous texture and long rich, lingering finish.

Where to buy: Waitrose, £13.49 (37.5cl)


Trius, Showcase Riesling Icewine, Niagara Peninsula, 2017
Southern Ontario, Canada

Insanely rich in the mouth, a cornucopia of flavours sweet, fruity and mineral, shot through with spice and a thrum of nervous acidity spearing through.
 
Where to buy: Trius Wines, CA$84.95


Bowmore 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky
Islay, Scotland

Warming and alluring, this whisky displays multiple layers of complex flavours: rich, juicy prunes, dried apricot and banana. New leather, sandalwood and winter spices are underpinned by a subtle but fresh peatiness. 
Where to buy: The Whisky Exchange, £79.95


30 Years Old Whyte & Mackay Blended Scotch Whisky
Scotland

Leather and tobacco with dried fruits; a very mature taste profile with rich spicy notes of ginger and cinnamon. 

Where to buy: Masters of Malt, £174.65