Wine has captivated the senses for what seems like an eternity. And while a solid Sauvignon Blanc is great for everyday sipping, special occasions call for special pours.
We’ve assembled a list of great wines worthy of your special somebody, whether you’re on a date or celebrating your 10th anniversary. The options come courtesy of seasoned pros representing restaurants all over the nation.
Read on for some of the best wines for a memorable date night.
Margalit Cabernet Franc
Zach Engel is a James Beard Award-winning chef and wine director at Galit in Chicago. His wine selection is so near and dear to him that the name now runs in the family. “The easy one is the for me,” he says. “The story is that in 2011, I visited the winery with my then-girlfriend/now-wife and had a private tasting with Asaf and his family. We did a full 32-barrel tasting, and I had Asaf send me cases to the US. For every special occasion, like anniversaries and even our wedding, we drank a bottle of Margalit Cabernet Franc. We then named our eldest daughter Margalit and, subsequently, my first restaurant. The 2014 vintage has a really elegant body and mouthfeel, and it’s a good time to drink it right now. Dark cherry fruit notes and the bell pepper are very light, fresher, and garden, almost minty.”
Zucardi Concreto Malbec
Alex Cuper commands the wine program at El Che in the Windy City. He suggests starting with something floral like a Torrontes and then moving into a bigger red for the entree. Specifically, the from Argentina. “This Malbec is aged in concrete, giving you a lush, plush, and ripe body with beautiful blue and black fruits and a hint of that classic Malbec spice to it,” Cuper says. “It is as elegant as they come and great with any sort of protein but still has enough finesse to be drunk with that surf and turf you may be sharing.
How to cap off the meal? With a sparkling wine, of course. Cuper suggests a to fill your flute. “This is pretty darn close to classic Champagne without the price tag,” Cuper says.
Jean Vesselle Rosé de Saignée
Sommelier Alex Ring works at the Michelin Star-approved restaurants Proxi and Sepia. He likes a pink celebratory wine from France. “This small, family-owned has existed for over 300 years, and it produces wines that are both traditional and contemporary,” Ring says. “Saignée is a special method of rosé winemaking, where red grapes are left to rest on their skins, and then a portion of the juice is “bled” off, resulting in a darker, more structured wine. Where a pale pink rosé might do for a fleeting crush, this bottling is perfect for expressing a more impassioned love. Great with charcuterie, east coast oysters, or on its own.”
Another great option to accompany a romantic dinner is a lovely . “This picturesque Tuscan winery dates back to the 17th century and has a long history of noble ownership,” Ring says. “In the 80s, when the aging owner had no obvious heirs, she left the winery to the estate’s longtime property manager and farmer. This Brunello comes from the estate’s top single vineyard and features bright cherry flavors and loads of spice — perfect for a romantic dinner or a cozy night in.”
Domaine de Perdrix Premier Cru Pinot Noir
It’s not always the case, but often, with wine, you get what you pay for. This suggestion is expensive but worth the price tag and is sure to make a splash at the dinner table. “ delivers (if not over-delivers) consistently from vintage to vintage, and 2019 is particularly stunning,” says Ted Rink, beverage director at BLVD Steakhouse. “It’s an old vine Pinot Noir, with all the finesse, complexity, and richness you could ask for in a well-assembled red from Nuits. This increasingly rare bird (see what I did there?) seems more challenging to get a hold of these days, but so worth the hunt if you can snag a bottle or two.”
Champagne Billecart-Salmon Cuvee Elisabeth Salmon
Champagne rarely disappoints, especially the good stuff from a reputable producer. “This deep salmon pink is gently fragrant and takes time to be ready,” says Ricardo DiMauro, beverage director at Antica Pesa in Brooklyn. “First of all, the nose is rather creamy, even lactic, seeming like being in a bakery, but then slowly, redcurrant and blood orange appear with an aromatic and romantic overtone of orchard cinquefoils. The palate, with a very fine mousse, exquisite texture, and balance, then goes into the classic Pinot notes, revealing truffle and a dimension of earthiness and undergrowth. Fades of white pepper and a touch of toasted hazelnut on the bright finish. A real treat for a romantic night like Valentine’s Day.”
Bellavista Franciacorta Alma Cuvee Brut
Here’s another guaranteed to impress. Beverage director Cristian Martinez of The Foundry in Ohio is a big fan. “Light apricot with lively, persistent mousse,” Martinez says of the wine. “The nose displays red blueberries, fresh cherries, and rose petals, with fine creamy tones on the aftertaste. Fresh and balanced on the palate with great interplay of fruit, well-integrated mousse, great texture with fine persistence.” Suggested pairings include San Marzano tomato bruschetta, a good charcuterie board, and green salads.”
Martinez offers a few still wines, too. In particular, he’s drawn to a richly-textured from the Loire Valley and a Willamette Valley Pinot Noir he says to try with salmon, roasted chicken, full-bodied seafood, or mild-to-medium cheeses.
What makes the best wine candidate?
Wine is incredibly subjective stuff, and the price doesn’t always tell the whole story. As industry pros, we gauge wines based not only on craftsmanship and quality but also on how they fare with foods. In the case of a great date night wine, there’s some wow factor at play. That means a wine worthy of a special occasion, a high-caliber option that’s balanced and teeming with inviting flavors and fragrances. The above wines do that in droves, worth cracking on special evenings with your partner and stocking up on so you can see how gracefully they age over time.
Let the wine content pour over. Check out our favorite pink sparkling wines for Valentine’s Day and some wine pairing ideas to enhance your special night. We’ve even got insights on what sommeliers drink at home when they’re off the clock.
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