3 Most Romantic Wines
What is the best wine for romantic night? Or the most romantic wine?
You will find many romantic wines, but the best 3 romantic wines are sparkling wines.
Many people like to celebrate with romance sparkling wine, like Champagne.Many people like to celebrate with romance sparkling wine, like Champagne.
… and you must agree, there is something about the sound of that popping cork –
And the explosion of effervescent bubbles that spells celebration.
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Most Romantic Wine: Sparkling Wine
Today, I will narrow the universe of sparkling wines to just three of my favorite romantic sparkling wines for date night.
I chose each wine with much consideration of price to value.
Plus they are delicious AND impressive if for a romantic wine gift.
Most Romantic Wine
In the world of Sparkling wine you have many choices.
You’ve probably notice that many people – including flight attendants – call every fizzy wine “Champagne.”
Champagne is called Champagne because it is from the region of Champagne, France.Champagne is called Champagne because it is from the region of Champagne, France.
Spanish Cava is called “Cava” because it is from the Cava denomination in Spain.
The quality Italian sparkling wine, Franciacorta, comes from that DOCG region in Italy.
Most Romantic Wine: Champagne?
Champagne has been around since 1729.
For much of the last few centuries, the Champagne Bureau has done an excellent job of promoting Champagne as the best way to celebrate a special occasion like Valentines Day.
So when it comes time to splurge on your favorite Valentine’s Day Wine, French Champagne can be a splendid choice.
Yet if you are looking for a delicious sparkling wine, Champagne is not your only choice.Yet if you are looking for a delicious sparkling wine, Champagne is not your only choice.
Virtually every wine region in the world is producing excellent quality sparkling wines. Often an excellent value for the price.
Most Romantic Wine: Types of Sparkling Wine
- Sparkling wine from California
- Sparkling wine from the Prosecco region of Italy
- Sparkling wine from the Italian region of Franciacorta
- Delicious floral scented sparkling wine from Asti
- Sparkling wine from Catalunya, Spain
- Sparkling wine from Germany
- Sparkling wine from French regions outside of Champagne
The list can go on forever, as sparkling wine is made everywhere.
Most Romantic Wine Choice: Brachetto Di Acqui
Yes, I knew this would surprise you.
Brachetto di Acqui is a lightly sparkling wine made from perfumed, fruity Brachetto grape.Brachetto di Acqui is a lightly sparkling wine made from perfumed, fruity Brachetto grape.
Despite its delicious, easy drinking appeal, it has a very dignified pedigree.
It is one of the few sweet Italian wines to achieve DOCG status.
It comes from Piedmont, Italy, and passionate (or just thirsty) Italians have been enjoying it since the days of the ancient Romans.
Why Most Romantic Wine Brachetto di Acqui?
It is EVERYTHING a romantic wine should be.
It is pink.
It is perfumed.
It is sweet.
It is delicious.
And a date night represents the perfect opportunity to indulge in your secret sweet tooth.
Enjoy a tantalizingly perfumed sparkling wine for the sheer pleasure of it.
History of Brachetto di Acqui
There is the legend.
And there is the reality.
Legend has it that Cleopatra was seduced by a bottle of Brachetto di Acqui.
In ancient Rome, an early version of Brachetto Di Acqui was popular for its high aromatics and sweet flavor.
As a a passionate sparkling wine for date night, pair this with dark, decadent chocolate.
Possibly a rich, slightly bitter chocolate to contrast with the sweet floral flavors and aromatics.
Most Romantic Wine Glasses for Brachetto Di Acqui
The right wine glasses are important.
With Brachetto Di Acqui you have a few choices.
- A Flute if you prefer tradition of a sparkling wine in a sparkling wine glass
- A tulip shaped glass if you prefer a delicate looking wine glass
- A large bowl shaped glass if you want to bring out the wine’s aromatics”
2nd Choice: Ruinart NV Champagne
I love Ruinart NV Champagne as much as every Champagne lover …
Yet I love many other NV Champagnes just as much. Gosset. Bollinger. Billecart-Salmon. Perrier-Jouet. And more.
When it comes to a Valentine’s Day Wine, a lot of the focus is on LOOKS. This is especially true when you are giving a Valentines Day Wine Gift.
Almost any Champagne can have an attractive label.
Few Champagne houses pay as much attention to bottle shape as Ruinart.
Yet beyond LOOKS, here are some considerations for choosing Champagne.
Vintage is Not Necessarily “Better” than Non-Vintage Champagne
The reason is that many “Brand Names” like Perrier-Jouet and Veuve-Cliquot spend more time and energy on their non-vintage cuvees than the vintage wines?
The reason is that they sell millions of cases of non-vintage Champagne every year, and just a slight amount of vintage-dated or special cuvee.
Vintage-dated does not mean the wine “tastes better.”
In fact, even though vintage-dated Champagne is usually more expensive, some people (most people, in fact) might think it doesn’t taste as good as non-vintage Champagne.
The reason is that non-vintage Champagne is carefully blended to taste exactly the same way, year after year.
This is regardless of vintage.
And then there is the concept of “house style.”
Many consumers have their own favorite brand of non-vintage Champagne.
For example, I prefer a richer mouthfeel with aromas and flavors of grilled bread and notes of roasted pineapple.
Others prefer a very crisp, clean style.
Yet for choosing a Champagne as your Date Night sparkling Wine, much of your choice has to do with how you will enjoy it.
1. Will you enjoy your date night wine with dessert like chocolate or strawberries at the end of the meal?
2. Will you enjoy your Champagne with oysters at the start of the meal?
3. Or will you skip food entirely?
Though I named Ruinart NV as my 2nd choice because of its unique bottle shape and its accordingly appropriate value as a Valentine’s Day wine gift, I will make two very simple suggestions.
1. With oysters, you will do well to choose the NV Veuve Cliquot because of its fresh, vibrant acidity.
2. With chocolates and strawberries, you can go for any of my three favorite wines in the richer style: Bollinger, Champagne Roederer, or Billecart-Salmon.
Most Romantic Wine Glasses For Sparkling Wine
In the 18th and 19th century, it was common for people to drink Champagne out of coupes … small, bowl shaped glasses.
At an antique shop in Mobile, Alabama many years ago I bought some old-fashioned coupes with a gold rim.
On Date Night, I’ll pull out these antique glasses because they are romantic and feel special.
Some sommeliers these days also recommend that guests try Champagne out of white wine glasses, as they feel this best expresses the aromas.
The delightful news is, for Champagne coupes, flutes, or white wine glasses, everything goes.
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3nd Choice: Roederer Estate Sparkling Wine from California
Growing up in California, I loved Cali Sparklers with their vibrant ripe fruit.
Then, after studying sparkling wines from around the world, my palate changed.
Now I prefer wines with more restraint.
So when I first tasted Roederer Estate sparkling wine from the cool climate Anderson Valley in California, I found myself an instant fan.
Made by the same French company as Champagne Roederer, they make this wine in a rich but restrained manner.
I often blind taste this wine against Champagne Roderer, and it is often hard to pick apart the differences between the two.
For roughly $25 dollars, this rich sparkling California wine is a splendid choice as your Date Night sparkling wine.
Enjoy your Date Night Wine
I hope you enjoy these tips on how to make the best selection when it comes to your Valentine’s Day wine.
If you like this piece, you are welcome to check out these other articles …
Napa Valley: Visiting Chappellet on Pritchard Hill
Beyond the Scenes at Dominus Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon in Chiles Valley with George Bursick of Maxville Winery