Top 5 Wines for Valentine’s Day + Perfect Gift Pairings for Each

It may seem obvious to get the wine lover in your life vino for valentine’s day, but why not make the gift even more thoughtful by taking the extra step to get them a wine accessory, as well? The bottle of wine may enhance the experience of that one evening, but the gift accompaniment is something that will enhance their wine drinking experience for years to come. Here is our list of the top 5 Valentine’s Day wines and the best gifts to pair them with:

Red Knot Shiraz McLaren Vale 2012

This Australian Shiraz is dark red in color, vibrant up front, and smooth on the finish. Hints of fresh herbs and very slight notes of spice keep it interesting. In a word, this wine is romantic.

This pair of stemware is beautiful, elegant, and overstated. The perfect devices for toasting to life, love, and wine.

Trapiche Malbec Mendoza Broquel 2011

Perfect for putting some spice into your evening, this Argentinian Malbec is pleasantly multi-faceted. Dark fruits are layered with hints of smoke, chocolate and cloves. Vanilla lingers on the finish.

This 3-in-1 device is as layered as the Malbec. Your loved one will also appreciate the ability to open up and soften the wine if they so desire.

A to Z Pinot Noir Oregon 2011

Soft and luscious, this Pinot Noir is the perfect wine for an intimate evening with your significant other. A harmonious balance of red fruits and tannins create a pleasant texture in the mouth, earth and minerals mix with the bright fruits on the finish. Named one of Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2013, you know you’ll be choosing a quality wine for the occasion.

The overly large bowl and tapered rim are perfect for translating the soft nuances of Pinot Noir. Riedel’s Vinum Extreme Collection is specifically designed to highlight characteristics of New World wines, such as a young Oregon Pinot Noir. The optimal stemware set for toasting to perfection.

Taittinger Brut Rosé Champagne Prestige NV

This Non-Vintage French Rosé is perfect for Valentine’s Day right down to the beautiful pink color. The perfect blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, this wine is both structured and elegant. Hints of smoke and spice balance out the fresh acidity and dark fruit flavors. It is the perfect pairing for chocolate covered strawberries or any other decadent dessert you plan to indulge in.

Unlike traditionally shaped Champagne flutes, these glasses have a tapered structure that allow for your nose to enter the glass. This helps you get the full experience, aromas and all.

Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne NV

If you’re looking to impress with your wine selection, Veuve Clicquot’s Yellow Label Champagne is the way to go. There is bright citrus acidity up front with notes of baked bread persisting throughout. This is a wonderful full-bodied Champagne fitting for a very special occasion. Use this wine to toast to a lasting future together.

If your loved one is truly a lover of wine, they will swoon over a sleek wine refrigerator capable of housing a modest collection. With dual zone cooling, stainless steel trim, and classic wood shelving, this is a timeless unit any wine enthusiast would appreciate. Keep in mind that the 18-bottle capacity is based on Bordeaux style bottles, so if their collection consists of bigger bottles, like Champagne, give them either the 24 or 32 bottle units. They can reconfigure shelves within those units and still fit close to 20 bottles.

However you plan to spend this Valentine’s Day, be sure to make it a special one. When the one you’re celebrating with happens to have an affinity for wine, you can’t go wrong with a hand-picked bottle of wine, a thoughtful wine-enhancing gift, and a heartfelt toast.