Valentine’s Day Wine - 5 Alternatives to Champagne

Happy Valenwines! Move over Champagne; you're not the only fun and flirty wine in town. Take a walk on the wild side with us and consider trying these 5 alternatives for Valentine's Day wine (or Galentine's / Palentine's Day).

OPPOSITES ATTRACT

Dolce Veleno Spumante Demi Sec combines two very different and contrasting grapes: Moscato -- sweet, intense and aromatic and Raboso -- full-bodied, rugged, and concentrated. But the result is a beautiful and lasting union – a rich deep red sparkling wine with wild strawberries, raspberries and rose petal aromas.

LOVE YOU WHOLE-BUNCHES

Are you reaching for a Saint Amour Beaujolais to express your… amour? How about something a little less predictable this year. A Loire Valley Gamay like Les Athletes du Vin is exceptional and offers excellent value in comparison. And like the ballerina on the label, it's light, graceful and firmly on point with a little punch of spice from its whole-bunch fermentation (carbonic maceration). This romantic red dances with flavours of bright red fruits, black cherries, and violets. Try it slightly chilled.

ROSÉS NOT ROSES

Food-friendly rosés are always a wise choice for the holiday of love -- and you can't drink flowers! (yes, we know you've heard that one before, but we couldn't resist).

Mabis, Biscardo Rosapasso is a brilliantly coloured rosé made from Pinot Nero. This pink beauty is a well-defined yet delicately fruity rosé with wild strawberry and cherry, leading to a smooth and harmonic palate. Veneto wines are dangerously drinkable and outstanding value for money.

Manz Rosé is made from Castelão and harvested manually in Lisboa. The dreamy bottle looks like it was designed with this day in mind. The bottle glows with a tantalizing coral colour and is full of complex flavours reminiscent of fragile and tasty red fruits like wild raspberries and strawberries. The refreshingly dry finish and crisp acidity is exactly what you’d expect in an award-winning rosé from Portugal.

WE FERMENT TO BE

Giustini, Jento Bianco will delight with a brilliant surprise of sparkle from a second natural fermentation. This 100% Malvasia from Puglia promises an effervescent party in your mouth with pleasant soft white fruits and a crunchy fresh finish. Look no further for an offbeat alternative wine to pair with the traditional valentine's oysters!