Wines for Valentines

Fall in Love with Bubbles

Champagne has long been associated with Valentine’s Day, the magical sound of a cork popping followed by the visual delight of myriad tiny bubbles almost overflowing your glass is sure to fill your heart with love. Bubbles will also fill your senses, as scientists at the University of Reims have discovered: each champagne bubble carries multiple aromatic compounds in heavier concentrations than in the liquid champagne itself. 

Of course Champagne isn’t the only option for February 14th. There are different methods for making sparkling wine that result in different flavour profiles to suit every palate. For those who prefer a bright and fresh wine, Prosecco is a perfect choice, made with a secondary fermentation in stainless steel tanks and aged for only a few months in order to preserve primary aromas and flavours of fruit and florals. For those who crave the more autolytic notes (brioche and buttered toast), sparkling wines made in the traditional or Champagne method with a second fermentation in bottle and a long aging period on lees will fit the bill.

Sparkling wine isn’t just delicious on its own, it's a great food-pairing wine as well. Fruitier styles of bubbly are a match for foods from eggs Benedict at brunch to sushi to even light, fruit-based desserts. Drier and more complex wines pair classically with oysters or caviar; the high acid in these wines also makes them a perfect balance to salty and fried foods, rich cheeses and cream sauces. Rosé sparkling wines are delicious with lamb or beef served rare.

A celebration of love, or any day really, is always amplified with a bottle of bubbly. Treat yourself to some today.

Until next time, enjoy your wine.

Anjana